Overview
An allergy occurs when the body’s immune system responds to an allergen as though it is dangerous like it would an infection. It creates a kind of antibody (protein that combats germs and infections) known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) to combat the allergen.
One of the substances involved in an allergic response is histamine, which causes:
- Constriction of your muscles, including those in the walls of your lungs.
- More saliva to be produced in your nose lining, causing local burning and itching.
Common Allergens
An allergen is any matter that causes your body’s immune system to react excessively and create antibodies against it.
There are thousands of allergens, but some of the most common include:
- Household chemicals.
- Food (mainly seafood, soya, wheat, eggs, milk, fruit and nuts).
- Pet fur or skin flakes.
- Fungal or mould spores.
- Certain medicine, such as penicillinand aspirin.
- Wasp and bee stings.
- Grass and tree pollens.
- House dust mites.
How To Prevent Allergies
The best way to avoid an allergic response is to evade the allergen that causes it, which is not simple to do. Allergens such as fungal spores and dust mites can be tough to see and can spread in even the most hygienic house.
It can also be difficult to stay away from pets, especially if they belong to friends and relatives, and many allergies to food are activated because individuals do not recognize they are consuming food they are allergic to.
Beneath is some useful guidance that should assist you to evade the most common allergens.
Dust Mites
One of the main triggers of allergies is dust mites. They are tiny insects that spread in household dust. Beneath are some methods that you can use to restrict dust mites.
- Select hard vinyl floor covers or even wood as an alternative to a carpet.
- Use blinds that can be simply rubbed clean.
- Clean pillows, soft toys, drapes and covered furniture frequently, either by washing or vacuuming.
- Dab surfaces with a moist, fresh cloth, as dry dusting can transmit the allergens further.
- Focus your efforts at monitoring dust mites in the areas of your house where you spend the most time.
Pets
It is not the pet hair that results in an allergic response, it is contact to flakes of their dead skin, spit and dried urine. You might find the following tips beneficial.
- Keep pets outdoors as much as possible, or restrict them to one room, rather one without a carpet.
- Do not permit pets in your sleeping quarters.
- Clean pets at least once every two weeks.
- Groom dogs frequently.
- Clean all sheets and soft fixtures on which a pet has lain.
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