If you suffer from allergies, you know how frustrating it can be to feel like you’re allergic to your own life. Allergies can significantly impact your day-to-day life, whether you get a scratchy cough, runny nose, or watery eyes. Even if you’ve had allergies your entire life or developed them later in life, you may not know the root cause of your allergies.
Environmental allergies are your immune response to something in your surrounding that might be completely harmless to others around you. Symptoms can vary from person to person but typically include sneezing and coughing. Environmental allergies are different than food allergies because it’s not a reaction to something you’ve ingested for nutrition. Instead, environmental allergies respond to triggers you come into contact within your surroundings or inhale during your day-to-day activities.
The four environmental allergens below are the most common.
Dust mites. Dust mites are one of the most common indoor allergens. They’re microscopic bugs that commonly live in furniture and mattresses in your home. While that sounds unhygienic, don’t fear it’s really common. But if you have a dust mite allergy, your symptoms might worsen in the spring and summer months. That’s because dust mites prefer warm and humid environments.
Pollen. Pollen is another common allergen. If you’re allergic to pollen, your symptoms of sneezing, watery eyes, or an itchy throat might worsen when pollen increases in the spring and late fall.
Mold. Mold spores can cause mild to severe allergic reactions if you have a mold allergy. Mold thrives in damp environments, so your symptoms may be worse during months with wet weather. Mold is also commonly found in basements and bathrooms. Symptoms of mold allergy may include:
- coughing
- trouble breathing
- sneezing
- itchy skin
Pet Dander. The environmental impact of your pets are common allergens. You may experience these symptoms if you’re around an animal or in a home or car where an animals been. While your pet may be cute and cuddly, they could be a stress on your allergies. You may even have symptoms if a person near you has dander on their clothing, like cat hair. The symptoms of pet allergies can include:
- sneezing
- itching
- coughing
- hives
You can take steps to ease your symptoms, like using an air filter and cleaning out lint traps. But if your symptoms continue to impact your day-to-day life, consider seeking the help of a healthcare specialist.
If you suffer from environmental allergies, you can see a specialist to diagnose and treat symptoms.
During your meeting with your specialist, they will ask about your symptoms and what might be causing your reactions before conducting an allergy test, either through a skin prick test or a blood test.
Southwest Health is excited to announce that they are now offering allergy testing. Adult Southwest Health patients can make consultations to determine if they should be tested for environmental allergies. Southwest Health’s full-time ENT, Kyle Quillin, DO, will discuss one-on-one with patients if allergy testing is appropriate. If people suspect they have mild to moderate allergies or have been referred by their primary care provider, they can now be tested and treated close to home.
Kyle Quillin, DO, can now offer testing, education, and treatment plans for each person’s unique needs and environment. If someone wants to make an appointment to have an allergy consultation, please contact the Specialty Clinic at Southwest Health by calling (608) 342-5060.
You don’t have to dread the changing seasons or going to a friend’s house that has cats. There is a way to improve your body’s reaction to allergens. If you suspect you have environmental allegories, give Kyle Quillin at Southwest Health’s Specialty a call today.
