Although you can see them, you might be allergic to it. They are dust and are perceived in different forms as in dust mites. They live in many homes throughout the world. When you are allergic to dust it can feel like having an endless cold or asthma. Their symptoms are usually dripping and scratchy nose and dry cough. It can be treated with the use of antihistamines and corticoid.
Content
- The dust allergy
- Why is dust prevalent
- Causes
- Symptoms
- Treatment and prevention of dust allergy
The dust allergy
Hypersensitivity reaction, commonly called allergy, is an exaggerated response of the immune system to an allergen. One of these allergens is the powder in genetically predisposed particles called dust. When we talk about allergies many people often think about being allergic to certain foods, pollen or parabens. Unbeknownst to most people, dust can also trigger an allergic reaction.
The plain truth is there are many people who suffer from dust allergies, which can be troublesome in their daily lives. However, knowing about this allergen can help anyone fight back against an allergic reaction because they can take pre-emptive steps to ensure that an allergy attack won’t happen.
Dust allergy can be caused by a number of factors; the most common of which is an unkempt house. Because dust is present everywhere, the outbreak of dust allergy is almost always inevitable and keeps increasing every day.
Dust allergy usually manifests in the form of the most common allergic reaction known to and experienced by humans — asthma. Asthma attacks can be deadly since it restricts a person’s breathing and could even result to a total failure of the respiratory system to function.
Why is dust allergy prevalent?
Dust allergy is prevalent because of its presence everywhere. Dust particles are minuscule that they can easily be carried by the wind and enter a person’s eyes or airway, which can lead to the irritation of the eyes or a choking fit if it reaches the lungs.
Practically, dust exists in almost all dry places so it’s sufficient to say that we are practically living in a world filled with dust. According to NIAID, a significantly large amount of the population of the United States has been suffering from dust allergy in the last few years.
Because dust allergies are not diseases, but rather a mere reflex action against these allergens, a lot of people underestimate the potential of dust to pose as a serious health risk.
Causes
Dust mites; which are living beings that live in humid or dusty areas such as curtains, beddings, carpets, sofas, and feed on the skin that flakes naturally every day, even without realizing it are the main cause of dust allergy, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Allergy to mites is deadly and one of the most common diseases in the world, WHO reports.
Symptoms of dust allergy
An allergic reaction to dust comes in different forms and severity. Some, when exposed to dust, experience an asthma attack, which can be deadly if not treated immediately.
There are those who get hives and/or rashes when dust allergens come in contact with their skin.
Some reports have indicated that fever was a result of an allergic reaction to dust and if this happens to you consult a physician right away because this symptom may be dire. According to experts, an allergic reaction that results to fever may mean that pathogens have already invaded, or are trying to invade, the person’s body and his/her immune system is too weak to fight it off. Medical treatment is needed immediately if this ever happens.
Treatment and prevention of dust allergy
Before you start buying all the necessary medicines to prevent an allergic reaction to dust you should first consult your physician or even an allergist to know if you are allergic to dust. Also, consulting a proper physician will help you determine which medicine or antihistamine would best serve/protect you.
To avoid allergic reactions to dust it is best to avoid contact with the allergens, which means stay away from dirty rooms or places.
If you can’t avoid spaces where there’s a lot of dust be prepared by bringing along ample amount of antihistamine to stave off an allergic reaction.
If your dust allergy is triggering an asthma attack make sure that you’re always carrying an asthma inhaler.
Other ways to minimize chances of triggering an allergic reaction is to wash your bed liens at least once a week. This could minimize dust build-up in your bed.
Some of the stuff we keep around our homes often serves as storage areas for dust. Little keepsakes like heirlooms or trophies have curvatures inside them that can help gather dust. Instead of placing these items in your living room find them a nice place in your attic or backyard storage shed far away from you.
Try to keep your furniture and all of your rooms spotless. Cleanliness is not only next to godliness but it’s also next to having a healthier life so put a little effort in keeping your whole house clean as a whistle.
If most of your furniture is made of fabrics that are prone to clinging to dust particles then perhaps it’s time to switch to something like leather. Leather couches are easier to clean than furniture with fabric and it’s easier to dust them off too.
One other tip to keep you dust-free is to make sure that your room temperature is at or below 70 degrees. Keeping the temperature of your house at a low, but manageable, level will keep dust particles at bay.
