An allergy occurs when your body reacts to certain substances that you come into contact with. Many allergies are airborne and impact you systemically. Your body will identify certain inhalants as something harmful and cause a reaction. If you suffer from reactions after you inhale certain things, the following are some things you need to know:
What Are the Most Common Inhalant Allergies?
There are several inhalants that can cause airborne allergies. Outdoor elements such as mold, pollen, grass, weeds, smoke, and dust are quite commonly known for triggering allergies. Pollution issues such as smog, car emissions, and factory emissions also cause allergies for some people.
Certain irritants and indoor allergens can also trigger an airborne allergy. Household chemicals, pet dander, certain fragrances or candles, mold, mildew, and fuel-burning heaters can all trigger allergies when inhaled.
Other compounds such as paint, paint thinner, dry-cleaning chemicals, fuel, insect repellant, and pesticides are also causes of inhalant allergies.
How Do You Know You Are Suffering from an Inhalant Allergy?
There are several symptoms you may be suffering from that indicate you have an inhalant allergy. Itchy and watery eyes, a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, coughing, and headaches are key indicators of an allergy. You may also get a rash, a loss of smell, pressure in the ears, and swelling of the eyes may also mean you have some type of inhalant allergy.
How Are Inhalant Allergies Treated?
There are several treatments available for inhalant allergies. The most common are antihistamines. This is a medication that blocks histamines that are released from the immune system to combat the allergen. A decongestant is another common form of medication that helps treat inhalant allergies. Decongestants will help reduce any swelling you may have in your nasal passages while thinning out any mucous you may have.
You may also want to think about getting allergy shots. Your doctor can inject a small amount of the allergen that causes your reactions to help reduce your level of sensitivity to it. This is a common treatment for those who are allergic to pollen, pet dander, and dust.
How Can You Prevent Inhalant Allergies?
The best way to prevent a reaction to an allergen is to stay away from it. This is not always possible, but there are some things you can do to reduce your exposure. Keep your home clean and free of dust, do not use harsh chemicals, and begin using an air filter to help keep the air clean. You may also want to remove any carpeting or rugs in your home that can gather dust and debris. Avoid any strong fragrances, keep your pets clean, and reduce your exposure to smoke by avoiding cigarette smoke, candles, and fires.
For more information about inhalant allergies, contact a local doctor.