Do you get goosebumps when you come home? This could be an indoor allergy!

You come home after working outside all day, exhausted. As soon as you get home, your nose starts to run, your eyes start to itch, your throat starts to itch... It's like a bug, right? Why does this only happen when you come home? You might think it's just a cold. But, you might also have an allergy caused by your home environment , or as we say, an allergy . Let's talk about this in detail today.

Is it an allergy? Is it a cold? Let's find out the difference.

Many people confuse the two because the symptoms are somewhat similar. However, there are clear differences between the symptoms of an allergy and the symptoms of a common cold. If you understand this correctly, treatment is much easier.

You can understand this difference more clearly from the table below.

5 major allergens lurking inside our homes!

There are things in almost every home that can cause allergies, but let's talk about the 5 main and most common causes.

1. Dust

When we think of dust, we think of only soil. But in reality, the dust in our homes is a mixture of many things, including tiny particles of tree leaves, cells that shed from our skin, food particles, threads from fabrics, and insect parts . Any of these could be the cause of your allergies.

2. Dust Mites

This is the main cause of allergies in the home. Dust mites are a type of animal that belongs to the spider family, too small for us to see with the naked eye. They live by eating dust. But it is not these mites that cause allergies, but their droppings . Since they are very light, they float in the air and get into our noses and eyes, causing allergy symptoms . The places they like to live the most are:

• Our beds, mattresses, and pillows
• Carpets
• Carpets
• Sofas, cushioned chairs
• High humidity areas (bathroom, basement)

3. Mold/Fungus

You may have noticed black and green spots forming between the tiles in your bathroom, on the walls where there is moisture. That's what we call mold. These need moisture and coolness to grow. They release tiny spores into the air. It is when those spores are inhaled that allergy symptoms appear.

4. Pet Dander

Many people think that allergies are caused by dog ​​and cat fur. But that's not the truth. The cause of allergies is a protein found in the animal's saliva, urine, and small pieces of skin that fall off the skin . We call these ``Pet Dander``. These are very sticky and light. Therefore, they can stick to clothes, shoes, and hair and come into a home without pets.

5. Cockroaches

Cockroaches are an animal that can be found almost everywhere, just like dust . Here too, it's not the cockroach itself that causes the allergy. It's a protein found in cockroach droppings, saliva, and body parts that causes the allergy.

How can I find out exactly what I'm allergic to?

Okay, now you understand that there are many causes of allergies in the home. So how do you find out exactly what you are allergic to? There are two ways.

1. Self-observation (Trial and Error)

Here you need to think a little about your lifestyle. Imagine that you go to a friend's house every Saturday, and there is a dog there. After you go and come back every Saturday, you get a runny nose, a stuffy nose, and itchy eyes. After a while, you will realize that this is an allergy caused by the dog. Try to identify a pattern like this.

2. Medical Testing

If it is difficult to find out by observation, the best and most accurate thing to do is to see an allergist . Then, without guessing, you can find the exact cause. A doctor usually finds the cause in this way:

• Asking you for details: Asking you about your symptoms, how long you've had them, and what your home environment is like to get an idea of ​​what might be causing them.
• Physical examination: The eyes, nose, throat, and chest will be examined. An X-ray of the chest or sinuses may also be done.
• Special tests:
• Skin Tests: This is the most common and accurate method. Here, a very small amount of the suspected allergen is placed on the surface of your skin and a small prick is made with a small needle. If the area becomes red, swollen, and itchy within 15-20 minutes, it is confirmed that you are allergic to that substance.
• Blood Tests / RAST Test: Some people cannot have skin tests due to medical conditions or medications they are taking. In such cases, a blood sample is taken and sent to a lab, where the suspected allergen is added to the blood and antibodies are tested.

Well, what can be done about this allergy now?

Although there is no cure for allergies, once the cause is identified, they can be managed very well. There are three main approaches.

Avoiding Triggers

This is the best treatment. Avoiding the things you are allergic to as much as possible. For example, if you are allergic to cats, stop bringing the cat into the bedroom. If you are allergic to dust mites, remove the carpet and wash your bed sheets and pillowcases regularly in hot water.

Controlling the Environment at Home

You may not be able to remove the animals from your home or remove the carpet. In such cases, try these things:

• Always sweep the house thoroughly and wipe it with a damp cloth.
• Reduce humidity in your home. Keep bathrooms and kitchens well ventilated.
• Use allergen-blocking covers for mattresses and pillows.

Seeking Medical Therapy

You should definitely consult your doctor for this. He or she will prescribe medications (Antihistamines, Nasal Sprays), and other treatments to control your symptoms. For some people, a treatment called Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy) is very successful. Here, the allergen is injected into the body, starting with a very small dose and gradually increasing it, allowing the body to get used to that allergen.

This way, it may take some time to find the cause of your allergies. But the effort is worth it. Because once you know the cause, you can definitely control the annoying allergy symptoms and live a comfortable life.

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