Indoor Allergens
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What are allergens?
Allergens are substances that are foreign to the body and can cause an
allergic reaction in certain people. Examples of allergens are pollen, foods,
and mold.
Your living environment may contain a variety of animal and plant life, most
of which can become a source for allergens, the triggers of allergic reactions.
Pollens are the main cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis. However, if your nasal
stuffiness, sneezing, watery eyes, and constant postnasal drip bother you year-round, then you most likely have nonseasonal hay fever, sometimes referred to
as perennial allergic rhinitis. This condition is typically caused by indoor
allergens such as dust mites, cockroach parts, mold, and animal dander.
Understanding the nature and location of indoor sources of allergy is
fundamental. The key to managing allergies that are caused by indoor allergens
involves reducing your level of exposure to them or avoiding them entirely if
possible.
This article describes some of the most common sources of allergens found
inside the home environment.
What actually is house dust?
House dust is a mixture of components that can cause allergies. House dust is composed of a number of natural substances, including dried food particles, mold spores, pollen, fabric fibers, animal dander, and insect parts, especially those of dust mites and cockroaches. As is the case with other allergens, these particles contain proteins that are small enough to become airborne and inhaled. The main culprits in house dust that cause allergy symptoms are dust-mite and cockroach particles.
Next: What are dust mites? »
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