In allergy sufferers for unknown reasons, the immune system "blots" harmless flower pollen, dust and other "home" allergens, usually neutral for health with dangerous germs or parasites. It mobilizes immune cells to strenuous and chronic struggle with the apparent but mass influxing "aggressor" - an allergen. The result of this fight are symptoms that cause serious damage to health.
Can "home" allergens be easily recognized?
Identifying this type of allergen is quite difficult, because it is not seasonal, which facilitates the diagnosis of plant allergens, while in the so-called allergens. House dust is found almost all home sensitizing substances. It's hard to isolate them to see which one is the right one.
Let's try, howeverinterpret the circumstance: - leaving the home relieves symptoms of the disease; When returning, ailments increase?
This means that the allergen is some substance found in the home. You can be allergic to airborne zoonotic allergens floating in the air - dust mites, fur, animal feathers and the presence of microorganisms such as molds. Potential allergen are dust and other volatile substances contained in household dust - for example from cigarette smoke, clothing particles, cosmetics, cleaning agents, metal dust, building materials, etc. The most common "home" allergens are house dust mites, animal dander and molds. Symptoms of sensitization caused by these allergens persist throughout the year, increase in winter or during periods of prolonged stay at home.
How to check if the cause of allergy is house dust mite?
Because house dust mites most often sensitize - it can be a good way to clean up their "mother house", which is primarily our bed. If you change the mattress, bedding, vacuuming the allergy room with the help of special vacuum cleaners (water or devices with a special filter system) will bring a clear improvement in health - we will recognize the right allergen. Preliminary diagnosis of allergy to mites may be worsening symptoms of allergic rhinitis while cleaning the premises with a traditional vacuum cleaner.
How to recognize allergy to fungi or molds?
Fungal and mold allergens are harder to identify than house dust mites. They usually come into contact with them outside the home, although wet places - cellars and so-called. "moldy" unheated rooms in winter. (In the case of mold, the intensity of spore dissemination depends on the species of microorganisms - there are also those that can spread also in dry conditions.) If the symptoms of allergic rhinitis seem more severe to us while in a moist molded basement, we may suspect sensitization to mold spores. Of course, it is good to verify this assumption with a special allergy test carried out under the supervision of an allergologist.
If you are allergic to one allergen, do not you be afraid of others - eg pollen of plants?
Unfortunately, it is possible to have an allergic reaction to domestic mites and plant pollen - those in the house with potted plants and outside the window! This is called cross allergy was created under the influence of the so-called allergy complex. Under the combined effect of plant pollen (eg, grasses) - the symptoms of perennial rhinitis caused by allergy to mites can increase. Symptoms about the nose itself may be accompanied by itching and watery eyes. Then such allergic inflammation involving the nose and eyes is called rhinoconiunctivitis.
Beware of cross-allergies!
The list of people allergic to two or more allergens is increasing. It's good to know that, in cooperation with an alegologist, you can investigate potential home threats.
Dust allergens include:
house dust mite, livestock fur (cats, dogs, guinea pigs, etc.), as well as fur of dressed leather (eg in the form of rugs, tapestry), feathers from pillows, down jackets, domestic birds (parrots, canaries, etc. ), as well as dust particles of numerous allergenic chemicals from buildings, furniture, from the interior of electronic devices - computers, televisions; fragrances and vapors of cleaning agents, cosmetics, (formaldehyde), etc. The reason for allergic symptoms can also be aerosols, deodorants, hair sprays, strong fragrances.
When leaving home, can we encounter other allergens except pollen?
Yes. Allergens are, for example, car fumes, especially exhaust fumes and diesel engines, exhaust fumes and factory vapors, etc. It has been proven, for example, that exhaust fumes from diesel engines are dangerous and increasingly common allergens.
Ed. Edward Ozga Michalski, MA
Consultation Prof. Dr hab. Med. Andrzej Danysz