When we think of allergies, we often think of getting the sniffles when walking through a park or that it only occurs at certain times of the year. Outdoor allergies do have an impact on our health; nearly 100 million people experience allergies each year. Allergies indoors may not immediately come to mind, but they are just as impactful on our health.
Allergic rhinitis occurs when the immune system overreacts to a stimulus, commonly mold, pollen or dust mites. When experiencing allergy symptoms indoors, it’s likely due to these allergens. It has also been discovered that air pollution can be a contributing factor to allergic rhinitis.
Indoor Allergy Causes
Several everyday tasks also contribute to indoor allergies and may surprise you. You can also take steps to maintain air quality indoors to reduce the impact of the allergens.
Some causes of allergic rhinitis indoors include:
- Cleaning: Certain cleaning products can contribute to indoor air pollution and breathing that in can aggravate already existing allergy symptoms. Stirring up dust can also cause an allergic reaction, as dust mites are a common allergen.
- Burning candles, incense and firewood: Candles, incense and firewood emit particles when burned, contributing to indoor air pollution. Particles and pollutants can irritate your allergies. This is also exacerbated in the winter when people are less likely to open windows.
- Cooking: Cooking can heat oils and food bits that can release particles into the air, polluting the home.
Avoiding Allergens and Pollutants
To avoid aggravating your allergic rhinitis indoors, you can take steps to improve your indoor air quality. For example, consider the following:
- When cooking, open windows or use an extractor fan to clear the air.
- Open windows when cleaning. Avoid strongly scented cleaners.
- Try introducing houseplants into your home to purify the air.
- Have regular cleaning routines for linens and carpets to alleviate dust or pet dander that could also trigger allergic rhinitis.
- Don’t allow pets where you sleep, which will help prevent triggering pet dander allergies.
Maintaining some of these routines will help keep your allergic rhinitis symptoms manageable. You can also take a daily allergy medication to help manage symptoms.
If you need assistance with understanding your allergies or want to schedule an allergy test to know your allergens, call ENT of Georgia North to schedule an appointment.
