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Hay fever and asthma are often caused by things breathed in from the air around us. Many substances can start an allergic response in sufferers but we will look at 5 of the most likely culprits:
Pollen
is a very common cause of hay fever and can also cause allergic asthma. Plants such as grasses produce light pollen grains that blow easily with the wind and can get transported into towns and cities and so affect allergic people over a wide area. Trying to escape high pollen areas in Spring and Summer is well nigh impossible for most of us, but you could spend more time in air-conditioned buildings or take medication to reduce the symptoms.
Molds
are microscopic fungi which release thousands upon thousands so tiny spores into the air, these spores are very light and travel great distances. When they are inhaled and touch the nasal and bronchial linings they cause itchy eyes, eczema and asthma in someone who has a mold allergy. Warm, damp places are where molds thrive best and spore levels are highest when there is rain or fog. In the garden they are common in soil, lawns, leaves, compost heaps and mulches whereas indoors they are found in musty basements, larders, soiled upholstery and garbage containers. The best remedy against mold allergy is to avoid these places where many spores are present and you can protect yourself by using filter facemasks and allergy bedding covers.
House dust
is the third common source of allergens. House dust is a collection of different substances any of which could trigger an allergic reaction and cause your nose and lungs to swell and itch. Dust is made up of pollen grains (brought in from outside), human and pet skin scales, hair, clothing fragments and sometimes bits of dried pet saliva. The list goes on to include dust mites, dead insects, skin bacteria, plan and animal fibers and old food remnants meaning it's difficult to work out exactly what is causing the problem. Ideally, you should keep your house as dust free as possible if you have a dust allergy. For example, do not have heavy pile carpets, upholstered furniture, old books or other dust traps in your living spaces and in your bedroom it's best to avoid feather filled pillows or quilts.
Pets
If you keep a pet dog or cat then their fur, skin scales or salvia can cause allergic symptoms such as asthma or hay fever. Guinea pigs, hamsters and horses can also set you wheezing along with the feathers of cage birds. Unfortunately, the only effective way to stop your allergic reaction is to give the pet away to a good home. No matter how much you dust, vacuum or use filtering equipment you can not get rid of all the particles in your pet's fur or feathers.
Food
Food allergies are more common in children than adults and the reactions include coughing, wheezing, swollen lips and tongue or a rash. Be aware that the airway can become blocked after a reaction which needs to be quickly treated with adrenalin. Foods which most often trigger a reaction are nuts, eggwhite, shellfish, wheat, milk and certain dyes and preservatives added to processed foods. It's quite easy to avoid eating the particular food that causes symptoms and nowdays foods are clearly labeled with the allergic sufferer in mind.
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Source by Robert Turberville
