The four most common Environmental Allergies are but not limited to:
-Dust Mites
-Pollen
-Pet Dander
-Mold
When the human body's immune system overreacts to a substance in your environment such as pollen, an allergic reaction occurs, causing an environmental allergy. To try and protect itself the body produces chemicals to fight the substances that the antibodies in the immune system have identified as dangerous.
Dust mites being a very common allergen are present in the average UK home because they thrive and survive well in warm damp conditions. Dust mites are microscopic creatures that feed off skin cells, so our beds are a perfect breeding ground for them. Most people have no reaction to dust mites and are completely fine but those of us who suffer usually find its the mite droppings that trigger the allergic reaction.
Dust mites can house themselves in most upholstered furniture, cuddly toys, carpets, curtains, mattresses and pillows. Some tips to keep Dust mites at bay are:
-Buy allergen covers, mattresses, pillows, protectors.
-Wash all bedding and blankets weekly, temperature needs to be 60 degrees or over to help get rid of the mites.
- Dust regularly with a damp cloth first to trap the dust and then with a dry cloth.
-Vacuum regulary
-Avoid carpet in the home where possible
-Wash cuddly toys at 60degrees or above as often as possible
- Wash Curtains monthly - (Vacuum between washes if possible)
Tree Pollen and Grass Pollen can be rife at this time of year and can really have a negative impact on your day to day activities. Some of the things we practice are
- Don't dry clothes outside
-Change clothes when coming inside
- Wash hair and shower before getting into bed
- Keep windows closed where possible on high pollen days
- Lightly coat nostrils with vaseline
-Check pollen count daily
- Take antihistamines if recommended by GP or Pharmacist
Symptoms of Environmental allergies can include but not limited to
-Itchy Throat
-Itchy Eyes
-Allergic Conjuntivitis (watery, red, itchy eyes)
-Runny nose
-Blocked Sinuses
-Sneezing
-Headaches
-Shortness of breath
-Irritability
-Over tired
As a family we have experienced lots of allergies and found ways to manage them, they don't work for everyone and all symptoms are not always the same, so please always seek medical advice to manage your allergies and to get a diagnosis.
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