If you have lived most of your life with allergies, you might understand what triggers them for you. If you are like some, who have developed your allergies later on in life, pinpointing the exact cause for your irritation can be a bit trickier. Our Fort Lauderdale FL sinus allergist discusses the common triggers for allergies and what you can to do help treat them.
Pollen
If you find you are sneezing often, your nose is stuffy or running, or if your eyes, skin, and mouth feel itchy, you could be suffering from pollen allergies otherwise known as hay fever or Rhinitis, a condition that affects between 40 and 60 million Americans. Allergic Rhinitis can occur seasonally or perennially. If you suffer from seasonal rhinitis, that means you are allergic to pollen that occurs in summer, spring, and fall. This could be pollens from grasses, trees, and weeds. If you suffer perennial symptoms, it means you suffer from allergies year-round. These could be caused by dust mite, pet dander, mold or cockroaches.
Treatment & Management of Hay Fever
If you are suffering from this type of allergy you should try and avoid the triggers that will set you off by making some changes to your home and your behavior.
- Keep your windows closed during high pollen seasons
- Use air conditioning in your car and home
- Wear sunglasses when outdoors to prevent pollen spores from getting in your eyes
- Wash your hands immediately after petting an animal
- Use bedding covers for your pillow and mattress that are designed to be mite-proof
Mold
Molds are tiny spores of fungi that float through the air like pollen. Mold allergy symptoms are similar to pollen allergies. They can attach to your clothing and hair while you are outside of your home and can be brought into the home. Molds typically grow in dark, damp places like basements. Symptoms include, congestion, sneezing, coughing, itchy and watering eyes.
Treatment & Management of Mold Allergies
If you have allergies to mold you should consider making the following changes to create a clean, mold-free atmosphere.
- Avoid damp, dark environments
- Repair water leaks immediately to discourage mold growth
- The soil of indoor plants can hold mold, avoid keeping plants indoors
- Wear a mask when raking leaves during fall
Animals
Allergies from animals can develop over time. You may not realize you are allergic to an animal until you have owned them for a few months. Typical allergy triggers from animals include animal dander and animal saliva. Symptoms of animals include sneezing, itchy and watery eyes.
Treatment of Animal Related Allergies
Consider making these changes if you suffer from animal related allergies.
- If you own a dog or cat, wash them once a week.
- Consult your allergist about any medications you can take
- Consider investing in a HEPA filter
- Don’t let your dog or cat sleep in your bed
Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny insects that thrive in humid, warm places. They are often found in mattresses and pillow cases. Symptoms of dust mite allergies include wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
Treatment of Dust Mite Allergies
If you suffering from a dust mite allergy, you should consider changing the following behaviors and environmental factors.
- Use dust-mite proof pillow case and mattress protectors
- Remove the wall to wall carpeting in your home
- Install a HEPA air filter in for your air conditioning and heating
- Consider purchasing an air purifier
- Decrease the humidity in the household
Get Tested for Allergies
As you have read above, the symptoms for many of these allergies are quite similar, which is why a comprehensive allergy testcan help you pinpoint which allergens you are actually allergic to. At Florida Sinus & Snoring Specialists, Inc. we have extensive experience testing patients for allergies. At our facility we can offer skin patch testing, intradermal testing, and blood testing.
Contact our Plantation, FL allergy treatment facility today to schedule your appointment.