Do You Know These Common Allergy Symptoms?
You known you’re allergic when you react to certain substances
you’ve been exposed to before. For instance, you may have eaten
shellfish before but the next time you eat foods containing
shellfish, you develop rashes.
An allergy occurs when your body overreacts to things that
don’t normally cause problems for most people. These things are
called allergens and your body’s overreaction to them are what
causes allergy symptoms.
Common Allergy Symptoms are:
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Itchy nose, eyes, and roof of mouth
• Sneezing
• Stuffy nose
• Pressure in the nose and cheeks
• Ear fullness and popping
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Hives
What Causes these Allergy Symptoms?
No one really knows why someone develops allergy. Studies have
shown that allergy may be hereditary or genetic. Others say
that allergy is just something that develops over time and
disappears, also over time. But one thing is certain, there are
certain specific factors found in the environment that can
trigger the body to develop allergy symptoms.
The most common allergen is pollen from trees, grass, and
weeds. Allergy symptoms caused by these allergens often occur
in the spring (late April and May) and may also occur late in
the summer (late May to mid-July). Ragweed allergens may also
cause allergy symptoms in the fall (late August to the first
frost).
In direct contrast to pollen, which is airborne, molds are
contracted by contact through the skin. Mold is common where
water tends to collect, such as shower curtains, window
moldings and damp basements. It can also be found in rotting
logs, hay, mulches, commercial peat moss, compost piles, and
leaf litter. Allergy symptoms caused by molds become worse
during humid and rainy weather.
Another common type of allergen is animal dander. These are
proteins found in the skin, saliva, and urine of furry pets,
such as cats and dogs. You can develop allergy symptoms from
handling an animal or from coming into contact with house dust,
containing dander.
Various more allergens are contained in dust. One of them is
dust mites, which are tiny living creatures found in bedding,
mattresses, carpeting, and upholstered furniture. These mites
live on dead skin cells and other things found in house dust,
and coming into contact with them may result in allergy
symptoms.
How Can We Control Allergy Symptoms?
Unless you live in a vacuum, it is extremely difficult to avoid
allergens all together. But with a little management and
control, you can reduce the occurrence of allergy symptoms
caused by these allergens.
Keeping clean is always the first step in controlling allergy
symptoms. Before bedtime, it is advisable to shower or bathe to
wash off pollen and other allergens in your hair and skin. You
can also reduce the amount of mold in your home by frequently
cleaning those places where mold often accumulates.
Avoid going outside the home during dry, windy days. Keep
windows and doors shut, and use an air conditioner at home and
in your car. This is one way to keep yourself from developing
allergy symptoms caused by pollen and other airborne allergens.