Know the Factors and Symptoms that Cause Dust Allergies – Dust is one of the fine particles found around us. In the Hellosehat website, it is explained that dust is a collection of dead skin cells, dirt, animal hair, and various other foreign substances (microorganisms). In some people, exposure to dust can cause discomfort to health problems. People who are sensitive to dust are said to suffer from dust allergies. Dust allergies in children are also quite common.

Dust allergy is one of the most common types of allergies. Allergies are conditions when the immune system overreacts to foreign substances that enter the body.

A dust allergy doesn’t actually mean you’re allergic to dust, but rather to the substances in dust. Dust allergy occurs when the immune system perceives foreign substances in dust as harmful to the body. As a result, the immune system then produces antibodies to fight these foreign substances.

In addition to releasing antibodies, the immune system also produces histamine and other chemicals that trigger an inflammatory reaction. All of these processes then trigger the onset of allergy symptoms.

To find out exactly what allergen in dust is causing an allergic reaction, you can consult a doctor. The doctor will try to diagnose the component in the dust that triggers the allergic reaction by asking a number of questions or through a skin test (skin-prick or patch test).

Dust allergies can affect both adults and children. Handling dust allergies in children and adults is more or less the same, namely avoiding dust which is an allergen (allergy trigger). Dust allergies are more prone to attack people who have one or more of the following conditions:

• Have family members who have a history of dust allergies, asthma, or other types of allergies.
• Children.
• Since childhood rarely exposed to dust.
• Have a weak immune system.

Dust Allergy Characteristics

People suffering from dust allergies can experience several symptoms. Dust allergy symptoms experienced by one person to another can be different, depending on the severity of the allergy. Come on, identify the characteristics of dust allergies that most often appear:

• Sneeze
• Runny nose
• Stuffy nose
• Itchy nose
• Red eyes (sometimes plus itching)
• Cough
• Face pain
• The skin under the eyes is swollen and bluish
• Itchy skin
• Itchy palate
• Itchy throat
• Shortness of breath
• Severe asthma attack

How to Overcome Dust Allergies

Even though you’ve done various ways to minimize dust exposure, sometimes allergic reactions can still occur. If you feel the appearance of the characteristics of a dust allergy, you can relieve it using certain drugs as below.

Also Read : Loss of Consciousness Due to Cold Allergy

Antihistamines

This drug works by inhibiting the action of histamine, a chemical compound that contributes to various allergy symptoms when the body is exposed to allergens. This drug is commonly prescribed by doctors to relieve allergic reactions. Antihistamines are available in the form of tablets, eye drops, and nasal sprays.

Decongestants

This medication is very effective at relieving a runny or stuffy nose due to allergies, but it may not relieve other allergy symptoms. If your allergy symptoms vary, you may have to take more than one medication. However, do not choose the drug yourself. Consult with your doctor to get a safe and appropriate combination of drugs to relieve your allergy symptoms.

Corticosteroids

The drug, which is available in the form of pills, nasal spray, and topical cream, is effective in dealing with inflammation caused by dust allergies. Corticosteroids are not included as over-the-counter drugs because they must be prescribed by a doctor. Corticosteroids help relieve nasal congestion, sneezing, and other cold-like symptoms.

Epinephrine

This drug is injected into people who have a history of severe allergies or anaphylaxis and can be life-threatening. Epinephrine should be injected immediately into allergy sufferers who experience symptoms of fainting, low blood pressure, or shortness of breath.

In addition to taking the drugs above, you can also perform immunotherapy to relieve dust allergies. Immunotherapy is a therapy that aims to “train” the immune system to be less sensitive when responding to foreign substances, including dust, into the body. On the Hellosehat website, it is stated that immunotherapy for allergies is divided into two types:

• Subcutaneous allergy therapy (SCIT), where the doctor injects the allergen into the skin and then observes the reaction. This therapy is done 1-2 times a week for six months to several years.
• Sublingual allergy therapy (SLIT), where the doctor drops the allergen under the tongue and then observes the reaction. This therapy is carried out for 3-5 years.

After undergoing immunotherapy for a certain period of time, allergic reactions that were previously classified as severe can become milder. In some people, the allergic reaction may even go away completely. This means that your immune system is more tolerant of dust exposure.…