Did You Know Dust Can Give You Allergies?

By Author: Jessica Cristina
Total Articles: 20
Comment this article

There are millions of people around the world allergic to dust. But did you know, what's the main cause of dust allergy? Staying indoors. Shocked? Well, believe it or not, all the vacuuming, sweeping, and dusting of your humble abode can often trigger dust mite allergy. The process of cleaning can stir up dust particles, making them airborne and easier to inhale. Dust mites are micro-organisms that feed off house dust and moisture. One of the most common indoor allergens, the symptoms of dust allergy can be experienced all year-round. In addition to this, dust allergy can also trigger other health complications such as asthma, eczema, etc. There are some other indoor allergies that you need to be careful about as well:
• Pet allergy: Pets can also trigger an allergic reaction in several individuals. Often people mistake pet hair as the allergen but it's actually the dander (skin flakes), saliva, and urine that causes an allergic reaction, especially when combined with house dust. Pet birds often trigger an allergic reaction as their feathers can be a huge cause of an allergy.
• Mold allergy: Mold ...
... is nothing but a fungus that grows in damp places. Mostly found in kitchens and bathrooms, the spores of a fungus can easily be airborne. When inhaled, it can trigger an allergic reaction in some individuals. There are many different kinds of molds, some of them are visible to the naked eye, others aren’t.
Other common outdoor allergies include pollution allergy, mold allergy, pollen allergy. Now that you know a little about dust allergy, let's look at the common dust allergy symptoms that are experienced:
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• Nasal congestion
• Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
• Postnasal drip
• Cough
• Facial pressure and pain
• Swollen eyes
Dust allergy management
There’s no cure for allergies but there are a number of steps that can help manage your dust allergy. Your doctor may also suggest you some the following:
• Medications
• Allergy shots
• Tablets
• Changes in your routine
For allergy prevention, it's better to avoid the dust completely. If you fail to do so, here are some simple steps to help you manage them better:
• Always go for wood flooring over carpets, especially in bedrooms to limit the exposure.
• Regular cleaning/ vacuuming ensures to keep the allergy away. If you are already allergic, using mask while dusting, sweeping or vacuuming is advisable. If possible, ask someone to help you with the vacuuming rather than doing it yourself.
• Use plastic cases on your mattresses and pillows to limit the exposure to dust. Make sure you wash the beddings as frequently as possible.
• If you own any pets, make sure you keep them away from your bedroom. Giving them access to your bedroom may result in triggering the reaction even more.
Information about your work and home environments, family medical history, frequency and severity of symptoms and exposure to pets and other possible triggers will help the doctors in diagnosing and pinpointing the triggers. Your doctor may also suggest skin test if needed, to determine the trigger of your allergic reaction. Generally, the symptoms of an allergic reaction subside after a few hours of coming in contact with the allergen. If it doesn't, please seek proper medical advice as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis of the problem.