Allergens: What Causes Where Are They Found? and how can we avoid them

Definition:

Allergens are foreign substances to the body and can cause an allergic reaction in certain people. They are everywhere in the world around us; some examples of common allergens are pollen, food, and mold.

Allergens can also be found in a variety of sources in our homes. Below is a list of common allergens in our homes that can cause symptoms in susceptible people.

House dust mites

House dust mites are tiny and love humid, warm, and dark environments. Mattresses are an ideal environment for dust mites (250 microns) at ambient temperatures of more than 20 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) and relative humidity of 60-80%.

Scales infested with dry skin bacteria offer mites a rich food source, and their reproduction rate is very high.

Up to 2,500 mites have been counted in one gram of dust. That means there are up to a million mites in a double mattress! This crowd produces corresponding mite excrement (1 to 20 microns).

Scientific evidence indicates that this is a cause of allergies and related problems, for example, asthma, bronchitis, inflammation of the mucous membranes, redness of the eyes, and itching.

 

With everybody’s movement in the bed, dust and mite droppings are agitated. The mattress acts as a bellows, blowing dirt in the mouth, nose, eyes, and skin.

Bacteria

Several species of small, unicellular life forms, often called bacilli, cause disease. In some cases, they are even resistant to antibiotics.

Moho

Mold comes into existence due to moisture and insufficient ventilation. Once they settle, the mildew spews tiny spores that trigger allergy symptoms inside.

Virus

Without exception, members of this class of microorganisms are pathogens that can cause infections, fever, and other symptoms. Some types of viruses have become much more aggressive in recent decades.

Spores

The spores spread in the form of fungi. They can cause diseases, particularly fungal skin infections, which are challenging to treat.

Scales of dry skin

The human body sheds up to 1.5 g of dried skin flakes per day. That’s more than a pound a year! People with psoriasis lose many times more.

A lot of this dry skin ends up in the mattress, and the bacteria grow, becoming rancid and causing an unpleasant odor.

The dust particles can be tiny. The powder is a mixture of organic and inorganic particles, dry skin flakes, sweat salt, mite excrement, etc. And it is a transporter of mites and bacteria excrement.

Circulation of the air

Air circulation belongs to the significant functional properties of the environment. The circulation of air in the movement of the domain is comparable to a sponge, which absorbs water and releases it by pressing on each other.

With each movement, the included environmental dust can be released into the room’s air.

How can I treat my allergy and keep allergens away?

Suffering from allergy symptoms is not uncommon; although allergies are sometimes easy to treat, at other times, they may seem to swallow the whole existence. Fortunately, you can find help if you suffer from allergies and get relief from your symptoms.

For safety reasons, always try a new over-the-counter antihistamine at home. This type of medicine can cause drowsiness and slow reflexes.

Even when there is not a severe warning on the label, take the initial dose when you are in the comfort of your home and do not need to operate a vehicle or anything else that is potentially dangerous if you feel drowsy.

You may want to get rid of your carpet thoroughly, as it is a widespread place for pollen and dust, so it is normal to find dead dust mites on them.

Consider replacing the carpet with tiles or hardwood floors if you can afford it. This will significantly reduce the number of environmental particles (many of which are allergens) in your home.

If you must live with wall-to-wall carpeting, use the vacuum every day.

Test your reaction to over-the-counter allergy medications at home for the first time. Often antihistamines will have ingredients that induce drowsiness.

It is always good to try the medication in a safe environment once or twice.

Although the label may not include dramatic warnings, it does not want to know what is wrong with the medication while driving.