Airborne Allergens: 5 Ones to Watch on Our List of Culprits

With hay fever (or allergic rhinitis[ET1] [YH2] ) affecting an estimated 20 million adults and six million children in the United States alone, it’s safe to say that the condition is a serious one. However, sufferers don’t always understand their symptoms, and frequently turn to medication once they become unwell instead of minimizing their exposure to triggers in the first place. The same goes for those who have other allergies and respiratory issues.

 ‍

What is a trigger?

A symptom trigger is what causes your symptoms to make themselves known. For people with respiratory conditions such as allergies and asthma, symptom triggers can be anything from pollen and pet dander to smoke and perfumes. Different people are sensitive to different triggers and knowing what is responsible for your outbreaks is the first step when it comes to combatting your condition. More often than not, airborne allergens are responsible for allergy and asthma outbreaks.

 What are airborne allergens?

An airborne allergen is the term given to any particle transported by air that can cause an allergic reaction. The most common airborne allergens include pollen, mold spores, pet dander, dust mites and (wait for it) cockroach droppings.

Here’s a little more about each one.

 Pollen

This type of allergy comes in different pollen packages. The more prominent kinds include birch tree, oak tree,

Ragweed and grass allergies – meaning people with pollen allergies are usually sensitive to different sources of the allergen. While oak and birch tree allergies are more common during the spring, grass pollen usually sets off allergies in the summer months. Ragweed plants tend to be more problematic at the end of spring and autumn, however they can still cause problems during the summer months.

Mold spores

There are many different kinds of mold, however they don’t all cause an allergic reaction. Mold spores can be problematic all year round – they can enter the nose and cause hay fever symptoms or settle in the lungs and trigger asthma. Mold can be an issue both indoors and outside, and people sensitive to the allergen are encouraged to avoid exposure to it in both situations. Warm, damp areas in your home are prone to mold growth (such as bathrooms and basements) so ensure that you’re not putting yourself at risk in your own home.

 Pet dander

Pet dander is made up of tiny skin particles from animals with fur or feathers and is usually too small to be seen by the naked eye – but larger flakes are visible. Many people believe pet hair is the culprit for allergies, but they’re mistaken. Allergies are actually caused by the animal’s saliva or urine – both of which can be carried by the hair. Surprisingly, you don’t need to own a pet to suffer from allergies triggered by their dander. If anyone who visits your home lives with an animal or has had recent contact with one, it’s entirely possible that they will leave traces of their dander in your house – which can cause symptoms to arise later on.

 Dust mites

Dust mites are so small that they can’t be seen without the help of a microscope. However, they thrive in warm, humid places and have a preference for bed sheets, carpets and curtains. While thorough vacuuming is advised, note that any symptoms you have as a result of dust mites could temporarily worsen immediately after cleaning your home. This is due to dust and particles being thrown into the air, which are then easily inhaled. Be sure to wash your bedding weekly in hot water to be rid of any unwanted mites.

 Cockroaches

Well, more specifically –cockroach saliva, shedding body parts and droppings. If you live somewhere that’s also home to cockroaches, your symptoms could be a result of the creepy crawlies in your neighborhood. Like dust mites, cockroaches can result in coughing,nasal congestion, skin rashes, wheezing and other respiratory issues. It’s important to keep your indoor environment as clean as possible if your home attracts cockroaches – ensure that all garbage receptacles are sealed properly,fix any leaks in your kitchen and bathroom and refrain from leaving piles of newspapers or clothing around for them to settle in.

‍

‍

Discover if your respiratorysymptoms are a result of any of these airborne allergens by downloading theSensio AIR app now. Just log your symptoms as and when they occur, and the appwill help you determine what’s causing them. Download it from the App Store here,and from Google Play here.

[ET1]Hay fever is allergic rhinitis to mould or pollen I believe (?) sodust mites and cockroaches won’t fit the bill??

 [YH2]Added a sentence at the end of the paragraph to encompass morepeople!

[Image courtesy of Rich Jones/ Unsplash]