Is the environment bad for your body too? Let's learn about Environmental Allergies!

Do you often sneeze? Do you have a stuffy nose, a scratchy throat, red, watery eyes? Do you sometimes even have a runny nose? If these things happen often, you may have one of the environmental allergies we're going to talk about today. Don't worry, this is something that many people have. Let's take a look at what exactly this is, why it happens, how to recognize it, and how to avoid it.

What are these environmental allergies?

Simply put, environmental allergies are when your immune system overreacts to things in your environment. Normally, these things – we call them 'allergens' – aren't really harmful. But if you're allergic to something, your body reacts to it in an allergic way.

Imagine, you have a security guard at your house. He usually protects the house from thieves. But, if you have an 'allergy', this security guard sometimes sees a relative coming to your house and thinks it's a thief and gets worried.

Who can develop this allergy?

Anyone can develop these environmental allergies . However, if your mother and father have these allergies, you are more likely to develop them too. This means that they can be passed down through generations.

These are very common. It is said that about 24 million people in a country like America have this condition. There are quite a few people with such allergies in Sri Lanka too.

How does this allergy affect the body?

When you are first exposed to an allergen, your body's immune system produces a special type of antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) . These IgE antibodies bind to mast cells in our mucus membranes, skin, GI tract, and respiratory tract. These mast cells store chemicals like histamine .

Now, the next time that allergen enters the body again, the mast cells that have bound to that `IgE` become activated and release the histamine and other chemicals inside.

Histamine is what gives you those quick symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes. These symptoms can come on within minutes. Other chemicals can also cause ongoing inflammation.

Sometimes reactions can occur that are not IgE-related. That is, the body can react to certain volatile chemicals (e.g., paint fumes, perfumes) such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) . These are similar to IgE reactions, but they do not involve IgE antibodies. Examples of this include dust and smoke.

What are the symptoms of environmental allergies?

Environmental allergies can cause symptoms like:

• Nasal congestion, feeling of heaviness
• Postnasal drip
• Cough
• Darkening around the eyes (allergic shiners)
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Hives
• Itchy and runny nose
• Red, itchy, and watery eyes ( epiphora )
• Sneezing
• Difficulty breathing, wheezing

Sometimes, these allergies can even trigger an asthma attack . Therefore, it is very important to be aware of these symptoms.

What causes these environmental allergies?

Many things in our environment can cause these allergies. The main ones are:

• Pollen: These are tiny dust-like particles from trees, grasses, and weeds. They are carried by the wind and are used to pollinate plants. Pollen levels are highest in the morning. Also, pollen levels are higher on hot, windy days.
• Molds: These are small fungi. Their spores float in the air. Molds grow in damp, poorly ventilated areas (e.g., bathrooms, kitchen sinks, basements). They can also grow outdoors in places like leaf litter, grass, and hay. Mold spores grow more on hot, humid days.
• Pet dander and saliva: This is the tiny particles (`dander`) that come off the skin and fur of your pet dog or cat. Some of the proteins in their saliva can also be allergenic.
• Dust mites: These are tiny creatures that are related to spiders and are too small to be seen with the naked eye. They live in places like mattresses, pillows, bedding, carpets, sofas, and curtains. They feed on dead skin cells that we and our pets shed. They don't bite, but their feces, urine, and dead body parts can cause allergies if you breathe them in.
• Cockroaches: The proteins in the feces, saliva, eggs, and dead body parts of these insects can also cause allergies in some people.

In addition to these, things that cause non-IgE-related reactions are:

• Smoke: Any smoke, such as cigarette smoke, vehicle smoke, wood stove smoke, and incense smoke, is unpleasant for some people.
• Dust: Regular household dust contains many things, including dead skin cells, hair, pollen, fabric particles, dust mites, insect particles, and soil.

Are environmental allergies contagious?

No. This allergy is not contagious. You cannot give someone else an allergy you have.

How do you diagnose this allergy?

If you have these symptoms regularly, see an allergist.The best thing is to meet. He will ask you questions like:

• Does anyone in your family have allergies like this?
• Have you ever been diagnosed with allergies?
• What are your symptoms?
• Do you take medication for these symptoms (e.g., pills from the pharmacy)?
• When do these symptoms occur most often?
• Are there any animals at home?
• How often do you vacuum things like carpets? Do you wash your bedding?

After that, the doctor may do some tests.

What kind of tests are done?

• Skin prick test: This involves placing a small amount of the suspected allergen on the skin of your arm or back and pricking it with a small needle. There will be no bleeding, just a slight tickling sensation. After about 15 minutes, if you are allergic to something, the area will turn red and a small wheal will appear, similar to a mosquito bite. This will tell you what you are allergic to. This can be done in less than an hour.
• Blood (IgE) test: This involves taking a small amount of your blood, adding various allergens to it in a lab, and checking your IgE levels. The results can take up to a week to come back. Sometimes there is a small chance of false-positive results. This means that you may be allergic to something that you are not really allergic to.

How do you get rid of these allergies? Or control them?

In fact, these environmental allergies cannot be completely cured. However, the symptoms can be controlled and reduced. For this , antihistamines are mainly used.

Do antihistamines have side effects?

There are two types of antihistamines:

1. First-generation antihistamines: Examples: `Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®)`, `Clemastine (Dayhist®)`, `Hydroxyzine (Atarax®)`.

• These can cause drowsiness , dry mouth, dizziness, headache, cough, nausea, and vomiting.

2. Second-generation antihistamines: Examples: `Fexofenadine (Allegra®)`, `Cetirizine (Zyrtec®)`, `Loratadine (Claritin®)`.

• These have fewer side effects, especially less drowsiness. However, some people may experience skin rashes, itching, hives, and facial swelling (angioedema).

Some studies have reported that people taking medications like `Cetirizine` and `Hydroxyzine` may experience increased anxiety and depression. However, more research is needed on this.

How long does it take to feel better after using the medicine?

An antihistamine usually starts working within 30 minutes of taking it, and works best within the first few hours.

Sometimes, your doctor may tell you to take an antihistamine every day, without waiting for symptoms to appear.

What to do if you have environmental allergies?

Although these cannot be completely cured, symptoms can be well controlled by staying as far away from allergens as possible and taking medication as prescribed by a doctor .

How can you protect yourself from these allergies?

Nasal sprays, such as Fluticasone nasal spray (Flonase®), are considered very effective in preventing moderate to severe allergy symptoms (nasal congestion, runny nose, sinus pressure). They reduce inflammation in the nose. You can use these sprays every day. However, some people may experience itchy, runny noses. People over the age of 65 should talk to a doctor before using them, as prolonged use can increase pressure in the eyes (glaucoma).

If you have mild allergies, taking a second-generation antihistamine daily may be the best option.

In addition, you can help reduce allergy symptoms by doing these things:

At home:

• Keep the windows closed and use the air conditioner (AC) if possible. If the windows are open, pollen will come into the house. Do not place the fan next to the window, as this can bring dust and pollen inside.
• Filter the air inside your home. You can filter pollen by placing something like cheesecloth over the vents. If you have a HEPA filter , it's a good idea to use that too. Change the filter regularly.
• Reduce humidity in your home. Keeping humidity below 50% will reduce mold growth and dust mite infestation.
• Avoid places where mold can grow. Places like basements, garages, and leafy areas. Clean these areas regularly if possible.
• Bathe and clean pets regularly. Do not bring them into the bedroom, bed, or sofa.
• Protect yourself from dust mites. Put microfiber covers on pillows and mattresses. Wash bedding once a week in hot water (about 54 degrees Celsius). Avoid feather-filled pillows and furniture with a lot of fabric. Furniture like leather and vinyl are good because they are difficult for dust mites to penetrate.
• Vacuum carpets and rugs regularly. At least twice a week. Wear a mask when cleaning. If possible, replace carpets with tiles, wood, or linoleum. If you have carpets, vacuum and wash them regularly.
• Do not smoke indoors. Use things like cigarettes and incense sticks outdoors.

Outside:

• Keep the windows closed when driving. Turn on the AC and keep the air recirculating .
• Check the pollen count before going outside.If possible, stay indoors on hot, dry, windy days. Reduce your exposure to pollen between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., when pollen counts are highest.
• Wear a mask. Wear a mask when mowing the garden, raking leaves, or working with things like hay and manure.
• Take a shower when you come back from outside. Wash your hair and change your clothes. This will remove the pollen from your body and clothes.
• Use a dryer when drying clothes. Do not hang clothes outside. This can trap pollen and mold in the clothes.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have frequent allergy symptoms, especially if they affect your daily life, be sure to see a doctor.

What questions should you ask the doctor?

• How exactly do you tell if I have environmental allergies?
• What kind of things am I allergic to?
• What kind of allergy medicine do you recommend?
• What are the side effects of those medications?
• Do I need to take the medicine every day, or only when symptoms occur?
• Can I still go out?
• Are there any plants that are not good to have in my garden or inside my house?
• How do I know if I have allergy symptoms, or symptoms like a cold or flu?

What is the difference between an environmental allergy and a food allergy?

An environmental allergy is your immune system's reaction to things in your environment.

A food allergy is an immune system reaction to proteins in certain foods. Common food allergies include milk, eggs, and peanuts.

Environmental allergies occur when your immune system mistakenly overreacts to something in your environment. This response can cause symptoms like a stuffy nose, watery eyes, runny nose, and fatigue. If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor. He or she can run tests to find out what you're allergic to. They can also prescribe medications to help prevent allergy symptoms.

Summary (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so now you have a better understanding of the environmental allergies we talked about today. Remember, this is something that most people have, so there is nothing to be ashamed of or afraid of.

• The main thing is to identify exactly what you are allergic to. Seek medical advice for that.
• Try to stay away from allergens as much as possible. Keep your home clean and be careful when you go out.
• Use the medicine prescribed by the doctor exactly.
• Don't ignore symptoms. If they are affecting your life, seek treatment immediately.

If you follow these steps, you can live a comfortable life, even with environmental allergies. If you have any other questions, don't be afraid to talk to a doctor.

` Environmental allergies, allergies, sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy skin, pollen, dust mites, antihistamines