Have Your Allergies Gotten Worse? Here’s Why!
Welcome back readers! As the winter is in full swing, it can be problematic for those with allergies and sensitivities. Whether you have been sneezing more due to the buildup of dust and debris in your air vents, or other allergens causing reactions within your system – you should discover why your allergies have gotten worse AND how to stop them.
What Causes Allergies?
According to decades of medical research, “allergies and sensitivities are caused by an inappropriate reaction to harmless substances.” Therefore, allergic reactions are triggered by the body’s immune system. Your immune system then produces substances called antibodies and within your system, these substances are identified as harmful which can then trigger a variety of reactions including: inflamed skin, congested sinuses, airways, or digestive systems, among many other ways the body reacts. Depending on the person, the way in which allergic reactions or insensitivities to substances can take place and the impacts can drastically vary. Here are some of the different ways allergic reactions can manifest. Note if you have any of these symptoms – it could be the result of an allergic reaction:
- Food Allergies can cause:
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- Tingling feeling inside of the mouth
- Swelling of the tongue, lips, face, or through
- Hives
- Anaphylaxis
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- Hay Fever / Allergic Rhinitis can cause:
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- Itchy nose, eyes, or roof of the mouth
- Sneezing
- Runny and stuffy nose
- Watery, red, or swollen eyes (also known as conjunctivitis)
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- Drug allergy can cause:
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- Hives
- Itchy Skin
- Wheezing
- Facial Swelling
- Rash
- Anaphylaxis
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Although these are just a few examples of allergic reactions and their symptoms, we hope that you keep them in mind so that you can identify your symptoms and have an understanding of whether or not they have gotten better or worse. Keep reading to learn what impact’s allergic reactions and how you can manage them!
Have Your Allergies Gotten Worse? Reasons Why:
There are always multiple reasons why your allergies have gotten worse. Today, we are going to break down some of the reasons why and how they affect your allergies. Here are 9 reasons why your allergies may have gotten worse:
- Using the Wrong Air Filter
A common way that you can inadvertently be making your allergies worse is by using the wrong air filter. For example, in the winter, when you are forced to use heat, your vents can become congested with dust, debris, and build up, which can affect the overall air quality of your home and in return – make your allergies worse. To mitigate these issues in your home, consider using high-efficiency filters and be sure to clean your filters regularly to prevent the increase of build up.
- Keeping Open Windows and Letting in Debris
During spring and autumn, one of the reasons why your allergies are getting worse can be attributed to open windows and doors. Although the fresh air is refreshing, it unfortunately can have a negative impact on allergic reactions. Having open-windows can cause pollen and other allergens to enter your home and then settle into your furniture and upholstery – later making allergy symptoms worse. Try using an air conditioner to cool down the inside of your house, instead of opening the windows to let air in.
- Putting Your Clothes Outside to Dry
Depending on where you live, you may put your clothes outside to dry. If this is the case, you may want to stop as it actually has an effect on allergies. Due to the fact that pollen can travel and can infiltrate your clothes, allergic reactions can be worsened by clothes, towels, or linens that have been left outside to dry. With that in mind, be sure to not let your clothes sit outside too long to let them dry and instead use a dryer to ensure that your clothes are no longer collecting pollen or other substances. Doing so can improve your allergies drastically.
- Allowing Your Pets to Sleep in Your Bed
Unfortunately, although everyone loves to have their puppies and other pets in bed with them, this can have a negative impact on your allergies. Due to the fact that your pet’s fur can collect copious amounts of pollen and other substances, having your pet in your bed can cause these substances to linger and infiltrate your sheets, comforters, and your clothes. Therefore, to mitigate allergic reactions caused by pets’, consider having your puppy sleep in his own bed for a while… or at least until your symptoms soften.
- Putting Off Cleaning
Not cleaning your house often can lead to a build of dirt, dust, pollen, and debris, especially in hard-to-reach places. Therefore, to lessen the impact of allergies, you should be sure to clean your house often enough that these substances do not build up and cause worsened allergy symptoms. Be sure to focus on vents, corners, and hard-to-reach spots to eliminate these allergens so that you can feel better faster!
- Climate Change
Though it may not seem like an obvious cause, climate change has actually become a huge contributor to the worsening of allergies. Due to higher temperatures and prolonged pollen seasons, the impact of allergies on human beings has worsened and the seasons in which pollen is produced are starting earlier and ending later – making peoples’ allergies much worse. Drastic changes in temperatures also cause heightened allergic reactions, as do longer summers and shorter winters.
- Stress
Lastly, if you are dealing with excessive amounts of stress, your allergies can worsen and your immune system can weaken. Chronic stress creates inflammation within the body and can cause hypersensitivity to allergens and other medical conditions. If you feel as though you are highly stressed and your allergy symptoms are working, find ways to destress, talk to a medical professional, or better yet… take some time off. Mitigating stress in your life will decrease allergic reaction symptoms, improve your immune system, and cause lesser inflammation.
For more information on how to combat allergies and what causes different allergic reactions, be sure to check out our blog. Here at St. Louis Allergy Relief, we are continuously researching what causes allergies, what are the best ways to mitigate them, and how we, holistic medical specialists, can combat allergic reactions. Stay up to date on all of the information you need and more when it comes to allergy relief and better yet, schedule a consultation today to talk to one of our specialists. For all of the help you need, we are here for you at St. Louis Allergy Relief.
Works Cited:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8610-allergy-overview
https://www.familyallergy.com/education/allergy/causes/
https://stlouisallergyrelief.com/frequently-asked-question/
https://doctors-hospital.net/blog/entry/8-ways-you-re-making-your-seasonal-allergies-worse