When you're busy at the office, you're constantly sneezing, your nose is blocked, your eyes are itchy , it's hard to breathe, and you feel incredibly tired... You're probably used to these things, right? Maybe you haven't slept well at night because of this allergy, but you still have to go to work in the morning. Or maybe you've taken allergy medicine and fallen asleep at work. Maybe you're allergic to something in your office.
Why is this allergy increasing in the office?
Simply put, our workplaces, especially air-conditioned offices, are places where allergens can be trapped. In poorly ventilated, well-sealed buildings, allergens are more likely to be trapped where we can't see them.
Think about it, office carpets, file cabinets, piles of old papers, dust accumulates everywhere. Dust mites that live with this dust are a major factor in causing allergies. Also, mold can grow inside an AC system that is not properly maintained. When the AC is turned on, these mold spores get mixed with the air and enter our respiratory system. Even pollen from outside can get inside and get stuck.
In some jobs, other factors may also affect this. For example, someone working in a factory may be exposed to chemical fumes, or someone working in a paint shop may be exposed to paint fumes. It is common for these to cause dizziness and difficulty breathing .
Let's take a look at your work environment.
If you suspect you have an allergy, take a look around your workplace. The cause may lie right there. Check to see if any of the items in the table below are in your office or workplace.
| Types of factors that can cause allergies | Examples |
|---|---|
| Things in the air | Dust, pollen, wind, smoke (cigarettes, wood) |
| Chemicals and fragrances | Perfume, air freshener, cleaning fluids, freshly painted surfaces, chemical fumes |
| Environmental conditions | Damp environment, mold, extremely cold air, insects like cockroaches |
| Other | Some people may come to the office with pet dander on their clothes. |
Okay, what do we do now?
There are several things we can do to overcome this problem.
The most important thing is to talk to your doctor about these symptoms so that you can know for sure whether you really have an allergy or something else.
1. Seek medical advice: First, see a doctor to find out exactly what you are allergic to. They may recommend testing to find out what you are allergic to. Once you know the exact cause, it will be easier to remove those things from your work environment and choose the best treatment for it.
2. Keep your workspace clean: Regularly wipe down your desk, chair, and surrounding area to prevent dust from accumulating. If you have to do this yourself, it's best to do it while wearing a mask .
3. Take care of ventilation and humidity: Make sure your workspace is well ventilated. To minimize mold growth, it's important to keep the moisture , or humidity, in the environment at the proper level.
4. Talk about filters: Talk to your office manager and ask if they can install high-efficiency filters in your air conditioning system. Or, see if they can remove the carpet in your room or cubicle. If these things are difficult to do, you can also bring and keep a portable air purifier that you can use yourself.
What if your job causes allergies?
Imagine you are a painter or a construction worker. Avoiding allergens can be difficult. In such cases, it is best to talk to your doctor and decide on a long-term treatment plan that is right for you.
Is this tiredness because of the medicine you are taking?
When you control your allergy symptoms , you can focus better at work. But sometimes the reason you're feeling so tired isn't just your allergies, but the medications you take for them.
Imagine, you can't sleep well at night because your nose is blocked and you're snoring. You feel very tired the next morning. This is what happens when you can't control your allergies.
Also, some allergy medications, especially older antihistamines, can make you feel very sleepy. Also, some decongestants (such as pseudoephedrine) are stimulants that can disrupt your sleep patterns. Sometimes, when you take these two medications together, you may fall asleep more easily, but your sleep may not be as restful. This can leave you feeling tired the next morning, even if you get 8 hours of sleep.
Fortunately, many of the newer antihistamines are less sleepy. Check the label when you take a medication. Or ask your doctor. He or she may recommend a nasal steroid spray or other medication that doesn't make you sleepy.
Take-Home Message
- If you experience symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and fatigue frequently at the office, it could be a workplace allergy.
- The first thing to do is to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment. It is very important to seek medical advice before self-medicating.
- Be aware of allergens such as dust, mold, perfumes, and chemicals in your work environment.
- Symptoms can be controlled by keeping the workplace clean, providing good ventilation, and using an air purifier if necessary.
- Some allergy medications can cause drowsiness or extreme fatigue. If you have such discomfort, talk to your doctor about non-drowsy alternatives.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න