Allergies: Why Do You Have Them

Allergy is a sensitive reaction which occurs when a person’s immune system comes across some substances of the environment which are not necessarily harmful. Allergic reactions occur due to hyper sensitivity of certain part of our body to substances which are called allergens. When our body comes in contact with allergens, our immunity system triggers and becomes over reactive.

Symptoms of allergy starts from running nose to itchy eyes to headache and palate to skin rash, also disturbs the senses like smell, sight, tastes and touch causing irritation. Some very common allergens cause allergy are pollen grains released from trees and grasses, moulds, house dust mite, pets like cats and dogs, insects like bees and wasps, household chemicals such soaps and detergent, medicines, and foods such as milk and eggs, prawn. There are other important influences like smoking and pollution also include the list of allergen.

Many allergens in our environment can trigger allergic symptoms. House dust, molds, Pet animals are considered to be the main allergen at home for causing allergies.

House dust – Depending on the age of our home and type, level of temperature and humidity in the home house dust accumulates. House dust also depends on everything from food to clothes to furniture kept at home, and pet animal lives in the home. House dust is an airborne mixture that usually contains soil particles of soil and pollens, dead cells of human and animal skin, hair, fibers of fabrics, mold spores, dust mites, dead insects’ fragments of waste, food particles and debris.

Pet Animals – Pets trigger allergic reactions which is caused by the substances in the animal’s saliva, urine, and especially dead skin flakes i.e. dander. These allergens are mixed with the house dust.

Molds –Normally found in almost any indoor environment specially where there is too much heat and humidity. They mix up in the air by releasing spores and cause hay fever and asthma symptoms.

Allergen control:

DOs

• Keep rooms dry.
• Synthetic fabrics for clothing and household furnishings to be used
• Use Plain and simple furniture instead of ornate as they accumulate less dust.
• Regularly disinfect the bathrooms and furniture with diluted bleach or other disinfectant solutions.
• Once a week wash bed spread and pillows in hot water
• Use wooden flooring or other hard material for flooring and wall-to-wall carpet to be avoided
• Keep stuffed toys to be kept away from bed and wash them on every week.
• Keep closets clean, and closet doors closed
• Pets may be avoided if not frequent bathing and grooming of pets by someone who is not allergic to pets should be done.
• Mattresses, box springs, and pillows to be wrapped with mite-proof covers.
• Throw out old books, toys, shoes and moldy articles Use easily laundered cotton bedspreads or coverlets
• Avoid Allowing Pets in bedrooms.
• Using upholstered furniture.
• Try to use wooden, leather, or vinyl.
• Using slatted blinds and cloth draperies
• Mothballs, insect sprays, tar paper, or camphor in the drawer or closet
• Venetian blinds, mini-blinds, and pleated shades.