Respiratory Allergies
Dust, mold and pet dander are common triggers for allergies that affect the respiratory system, causing coughing, sneezing, congestion, sinus pressure and difficulty breathing. A cleaning routine that involves bleach and regularly vacuuming carpets and furniture and washing bedding can reduce these irritants. If your symptoms are hard to control, or if the substance that bothers you can’t be avoided, antihistamines or allergy shots might be needed.
Recently Answered
- Q What common pets can cause allergic reactions?
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Birds, gerbils, mice, guinea pigs, rats, bunnies, and horses can all cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to their dander and, with some animals, their saliva. But good news for frog and snake enthusiasts: Amphibians and reptiles aren't... Full Answer
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- Q Dust mites don't fly, so how do they trigger my allergies?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyAs much time as you spend in your bed, dust mites, the active ingredient in house dust, spend even more. In just two weeks, a new bed can have two million of these tiny critters shacking up in it. Although you can't see these allergens, their feces is a... Full Answer
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- Q Can flowers cause allergies?
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While a rose by any other name would certainly smell as sweet, don't put your nose too far into the flower to test it out. Flowers may make wonderful gifts, but to a person susceptible to allergic rhinitis, you might as well be bringing a bouquet of... Full Answer
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- Q Where can I find pollen counts?
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If you don't see a local pollen count in your local newspaper, or on TV or the radio, you can check the count on the Web sites of the following organizations: - The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology's National Allergy Bureau - The... Full Answer
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- Q How do I know if pollen levels are high?
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Allergists and meteorologists can help you stay on top of your pollen allergies because they are continually assessing and reporting the amount of pollen floating in the atmosphere. During pollen season, these experts take what are called pollen counts... Full Answer
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- Q How do I know which pollens are triggering my allergies?
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Love in the air may elicit a romantic response from amorous plant life, but for allergy suffers, it guarantees an unpleasant allergic response. The terrible trio of grass pollens, weed pollens, and tree pollens causes misery for allergy sufferers,... Full Answer
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- Q Will moving to the Southwest cure my pollen allergies?
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Moving to southwestern - or desert - states may relieve your allergies for a few months. However, within a short period of time, new allergies to local plants can develop. Also, people in those states (both new residents and others) have transplanted... Full Answer
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- Q What is cat dander?
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Dr. Larry Chiaramonte, Allergy & ImmunologyCats are the most common pets in American households and cat dander is the most common cause of asthma. Dander does not come from hair or skin itself, but comes from a protein produced by sweat glands. As cats lick their fur, they coat themselves with a... Full Answer
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- Q Is there a link between respiratory allergies and asthma?
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Many people who have respiratory allergies also have asthma. Allergy-induced asthma is actually one of the most common forms of asthma. In many cases, the same things that cause a person's respiratory allergies-usually pollen or dust-lead to symptoms of... Full Answer
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- Q What is the best medication to prevent cat allergies?
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Doctors often prescribe antihistamines such as loratadine (Claritin) or cetirizine (Zyrtec) to help with cat allergies. There are also nasal corticosteroids like fluticasone (Flonase) or mometasone (Asamanex) that help to reduce allergy symptoms. Full Answer
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