Allergies Demystified
Sneezing. Nasal congestion. Runny nose. Itchy nose. And don't forget red, itchy, watery eyes. These allergy symptoms can happen when you come into contact with allergens — certain particles that your body reacts to, but are harmless to people without those allergies.
Seasonal Allergies
Year-round Allergies
Outdoor Allergies
Indoor Allergies
Here's a quick overview of the most common seasonal allergens:
Pollen
Although many plants produce pollen, the ones that cause the most problems for allergy sufferers are the tiny, light, dry pollens produced by trees, grasses, and weeds. These pollens are carried and spread by the wind, often travelling far — hundreds of miles even — from their source.
Airborne Mold
There are many different types of molds, and they can be found both outdoors and indoors. Molds reproduce with microscopic particles called spores, and during warmer seasons, outdoor mold spores are carried in the air like pollen. Mold can also thrive in dark, moist areas such as rotting logs, fallen leaves, and compost piles, and on farms in grain bins and silos.
Here's a quick overview of the most common year-round allergens:
Dust
Household dust and dust mites cause symptoms for many allergy sufferers. Though dust can contain a number of different allergens, dust mites in particular are one of the most common allergy triggers. They can be found anywhere dust can settle, but thrive in bedding and soft upholstery.
Pets
Pet allergies can cause allergy symptoms at any time of year. It's actually their dander (skin particles), as well as their saliva and urine, which can cause an allergic reaction. Plus, pet hair is a good hiding place for other allergens such as pollen and dust.
Indoor Mold & Mildew
Mold and mildew are types of fungus. In people who are allergic, they can cause allergy symptoms at any time of year — in fact, if you're constantly exposed, they can keep you stuffy and uncomfortable just about all of the time.
Cockroaches
For many city dwellers, keeping cockroaches at bay is a constant battle. If you're allergic, it's especially important to do so — many year-round allergy symptoms are caused by exposure to cockroach droppings.
Pollen
For many year-round allergy sufferers, pollen season is a time when symptoms can get even worse. Outdoors, pollen from various wind-pollinated trees, grasses, and/or weeds are carried and spread by the wind, often travelling far — hundreds of miles even — from their source.
Airborne Mold
There are many different types of molds, and they can be found both outdoors and indoors. Molds reproduce with microscopic particles called spores, and during warmer seasons, outdoor mold spores are carried in the air like pollen. Mold can also thrive in dark, moist areas such as rotting logs, fallen leaves, and compost piles, and on farms in grain bins and silos.
Here's a quick overview of the most common outdoor allergens:
Pollen
Although many plants produce pollen, the ones that cause the most problems for allergy sufferers are tiny, light, dry pollens produced by trees, grasses, and weeds. These pollens are carried and spread by the wind, often travelling far — hundreds of miles even — from their source.
Airborne Mold
There are many different types of molds, and they can be found both outdoors and indoors. Molds reproduce with microscopic particles called spores, and during warmer seasons, outdoor mold spores are carried in the air like pollen. Mold can also thrive in dark, moist areas such as rotting logs, fallen leaves, and compost piles, and on farms in grain bins and silos.
Here's a quick overview of the most common indoor allergens:
Dust
Household dust and dust mites cause symptoms for many allergy sufferers. Though dust can contain a number of different allergens, dust mites in particular are one of the most common allergy triggers. They can be found anywhere dust can settle, but thrive in bedding and soft upholstery.
Pets
Pet allergies can cause allergy symptoms at any time of year. It's actually their dander (skin particles), as well as their saliva and urine, which can cause an allergic reaction. Plus, pet hair is a good hiding place for other allergens such as pollen and dust.
Indoor Mold & Mildew
Mold and mildew are types of fungus. In people who are allergic, they can cause allergy symptoms at any time of year — in fact, if you're constantly exposed, they can keep you stuffy and uncomfortable just about all of the time.
Cockroaches
For many city dwellers, keeping cockroaches at bay is a constant battle. If you're allergic, it's especially important to do so — many year-round allergy symptoms are caused by exposure to cockroach droppings.
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