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Immunotherapy may be recommended if your symptoms are not adequately controlled with avoidance methods and medications. Treatment may include medications to control your nasal/eye and chest symptoms. However, because many people are reluctant to do this, second-best measures include keeping your pet out of your bedroom, using air cleaners with HEPA filtration and washing your pet (cat or dog) frequently. Avoidance measures don’t work as well as simply removing the pet from your home.
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Animal danderĪllergic reactions can be caused by the proteins secreted by sweat glands in an animal’s skin, which are shed in dander, and by the proteins in an animal’s saliva. Immunotherapy may be recommended if your symptoms are not adequately controlled with avoidance and medications. Mold spores reach a peak during hot, humid weather. Mold can be found indoors in damp areas, such as the basement, kitchen, or bathroom, as well as outdoors in grass, leaf piles, hay, mulch or under mushrooms. Molds are tiny fungi (like Penicillium) with spores that float in the air like pollen. Also, remove carpet, or vacuum frequently with a high-efficiency filter vacuum cleaner. To help manage dust mite allergies, try using dust mite encasements (airtight plastic/polyurethane covers) over pillows, mattresses, and box springs. The symptoms of dust mite allergy are similar to those of pollen allergy. Dust mitesĭust mites are tiny organisms that live in dust and in the fibers of household objects, such as pillows, mattresses, carpet, and upholstery. Ask your healthcare provider about immunotherapy (“allergy shots”) to treat pollen allergy. Stay indoors when pollen counts are high, close your windows, and use air conditioning. Your symptoms can be reduced by avoiding pollen. In some people, allergic asthma symptoms ( wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and/ or chest tightness) can be caused by exposure to pollen.
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Treatment options include over-the-counter and prescription oral antihistamines, anti-leukotrienes, nasal steroids, nasal antihistamines, and nasal cromolyn. Symptoms include sneezing, congestion (feeling stuffy), and itchy, watery eyes, nose and mouth. It causes inflammation and swelling of the lining of your nose and of the protective tissue of your eyes (conjunctiva). Seasonal allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is an allergic response to pollen. You can be allergic to a wide variety of substances – including pollen, animal dander, mold and dust mites. What are the types of allergies and how are they treated?
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As a result, a chemical called histamine is released and causes symptoms of allergies. The job of these antibodies is to find the allergens and help remove them from your system. If you are prone to allergies, the first time you’re exposed to a specific allergen (such as pollen), your body responds by producing allergic (IgE) antibodies. A chain of events occur that result in an allergic reaction. What is an allergic reaction?Īn “allergic reaction” is the way your body responds to the allergen. Substances that cause these reactions are called allergens. Allergies are your body’s reaction to a substance it views as a harmful “invader.” For example, coming into contact with what is normally a harmless substance, such as pollen, might cause your immune system (your body’s defense system) to react.
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