Allergies at home: how to deal with allergens in private housing?

According to scientists, people spend up to 90% of their life indoors. Most of them spend time in their homes. Therefore, allergies in your home can greatly spoil the quality of life.

It would seem that the owners of private houses feel most comfortable of all, where you can not only relax after working days, but also get pets, eat natural products without chemicals and preservatives.

But if a person suffers from allergies, danger can lie in wait for him in his own bedroom, barn, and even in the garden.

We are talking about allergens in a private house and around it.

What are allergens and where to look for them?

Allergens are substances foreign to the body that cause an allergic reaction in people who are overly sensitive to them. The most common sources of allergens are pollen, food, mold, pets, and plants.

Most often, people react to pollen. But if the flowering season is over, and allergic rhinitis has been bothering you for a year, you should look for the main triggers in your home.

Where exactly in the house do allergies hide? Let's figure it out together.

Symptoms and signs of a reaction to household allergens

Allergic rhinitis caused by household allergens manifests itself:
• nasal congestion (stuffy nose),
• runny nose,
• lacrimation (tearing),
• sneezing.

In sensitive people, allergies inside the home can even cause asthma symptoms (including wheezing) or difficulty breathing.

An allergic reaction to indoor allergens can also cause conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the lining of the eye. Symptoms of this condition include redness, watery eyes, and itchy eyes.

Allergic skin symptoms - eczema or allergic contact dermatitis. It is characterized by skin rashes and itching. As a rule, it occurs as a result of direct contact with the allergen.

Indoor allergens

The most common indoor allergens include:
• house dust;
• fungus;
• flower pollen;
• juice of indoor plants, in particular ficus;
• fabrics;
• dust mites;
• cockroaches;
• cat and dog dandruff;
• domestic rodents - mice and rats;
• horse dandruff.

House dust components

House dust is a mixture of various substances that can cause allergies. It consists of many natural triggers including:
• dried food residues;
• fungal spores;
• pollen that enters the house from the street;
• fabric fibers;
• animal hair;
• insect particles, especially dust mites and cockroaches.

Like other allergens, they are microscopic in size. Therefore, they are carried by air and enter the lungs easily.

Allergy to animals in the house

Dandruff, the result of the flaking of animal skin, causes more severe allergic reactions than their fur.

In addition to the skin and coat, allergic reactions can occur to the saliva and urine of cats, dogs, horses and rodents.

The scale of the animal allergy problem is enormous. It is believed that this type of allergy affects at least 20% of people with allergies and is directly related to the growth of the animal population, especially cats and dogs.

According to studies, dog allergens have been found in every home surveyed in the US, even those where no animals were kept. Similarly, cat allergens are found in almost all homes.

Allergy to cats

The most common indoor allergy is related to cats (Felis domesticus). The main allergen in this case is a protein that is secreted by the sweat glands of their skin, spreads to the coat and is separated from the cat's body along with dander.

In addition, allergens are found in the urine and saliva of cats.

Even with tolerance for these animals, an allergic person may develop sensitivity to cats after constant exposure to their allergens.

Cat dander allergen is not only found on its coat. It stubbornly clings to carpets, walls and furniture. It can stay there for months and take to the air if disturbed.

In addition, the allergen is light and can hang in the air of rooms for hours. People also carry cat protein on their clothes, thus transporting it to workplaces, schools, or friends' homes.

Therefore, isolating the animal in another room will slightly reduce the risk of an adverse reaction in people with cat allergies. Cat dander is present everywhere the animal lives, and the problem lies precisely in it.

Allergy to dogs

According to a recent study, domestic dogs (Canis knownis) live in almost half of European homes. At the same time, 33% of people who are allergic to animals are sensitive to dog dander. And 50% of allergy sufferers have a reaction to cats.

Since the allergic reaction is caused by skin flaking and not hair, its length does not matter. You can be as allergic to a hairless Chihuahua as you are to a shepherd dog. Small dogs are just as likely to cause allergy symptoms as large dogs.

The type of animal also does not affect the development of allergies. Even poodles and wheaten terriers (who are somehow considered hypoallergenic) cause allergy symptoms in sensitive people.

If your child has asthma or allergies, be especially careful. Don't let your toddler visit the home of a friend or relative who has dogs.

Severe allergic reactions have been reported when hypersensitive people came into contact with dogs.

Allergy to horses

Only a few percent of allergy sufferers are sensitive to these animals. The reason has to do with the lesser influence of horses as they are not kept in the house. After all, there is no horse hair on furniture and bedding.

However, sensitive people should avoid not only horses and stables, but also objects directly associated with them: bridles, saddles, riding clothes.

Also be aware that horsehair stuffing can still be found in antique furniture and old toys. People who are sensitive to horses will react to donkeys, mules and zebras.

Due to the growing popularity of equestrian sports, this type of allergy is increasingly common in many countries.

Allergens in storage rooms

It is also important to remember that going to the barn can cause allergies not only to animal dander, but also to molds, pollen and many other irritants. Especially for those who suffer from asthma.

Allergy to birds

Allergy to birds is more common in people who breed domestic animals: chickens, geese, turkeys and ducks.

Even if you can eat their meat and eggs, the main allergen may be the feathers of these birds.

However, some people who are intolerant of live animal feathers respond well to duvets and pillows. But don't forget that dust mites, another common allergen, lurk in bedding.

Allergy to rodents

This group includes hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, mice and rats, which are common inhabitants of private homes.

Their urine, saliva and fur are considered the strongest allergens. And among the most allergenic animals of this group is the rabbit.

Fur coats, glove lining, slippers, muffs, pillows and blankets are sewn from rabbit wool. In addition, angora rabbit fur is 10 times warmer than sheep's wool. The soft yarn is used for hand weaving gloves, hosiery and knee pads.

On its own or mixed with silk, rabbit fur is also used in athletic shoes. And often rabbits appear in schools as favorites of living corners and classrooms.

Allergy to plants in the house

Pollen can cause allergies not only from outdoor plants, but also from indoor plants. For example, ficus (Ficus benjamina) can cause conjunctivitis, and indoor maple (Abutilon hybridum) can cause bronchial asthma.

In addition, houseplants, especially those stored in damp wicker baskets, are sources of mold.

An allergic reaction usually occurs to terrariums with plants, as well as to large indoor ficuses.

Allergy sufferers should also avoid dried flowers and live spruces, as they are also breeding grounds for fungus, especially if the room has high humidity.

Treatment of allergies to indoor factors

Avoiding exposure to household allergens and eliminating them is the best way to manage allergy symptoms.

If this is not possible, you will have to take antihistamines. These medicines block the effect on the body of histamine, which is released during an allergic reaction. If they are taken longer than the indicated time, the symptoms may worsen.

Decongestants are drugs that reduce swelling in the nasal passages. They help cope with the symptoms of allergies, but they do not cure it.

These drugs are available in the form of capsules, tablets and nasal sprays. They should also not be taken longer than the doctor determines. These drugs are prescribed to people with heart disease with caution.

NB! Please do not take any medication prior to consulting your doctor!