Inhalant Allergies

Inhalant allergies are the most common type of allergy. These allergies are caused when a person breathes in (inhales) an allergen or irritant, such as house dust mites, pollen, animal dander, or mold. An allergen is a substance that can cause an allergic reaction. Typically, young children are more commonly affected by inhalant allergies when they inhale the allergen via the nose or mouth. These allergens may affect you year-round (perennial allergens), seasonally (seasonal allergies), or both.


An allergic reaction occurs when a person reacts to substances in the environment that are harmless to most people. These reactions are driven by one’s own immune system, meaning that when an individual inhales these harmless particles (triggers), the immune system mistakes them for harmful substances and attacks them by producing antibodies against them. 

Types of Allergies

There are various types of allergic reactions that are commonly noticed. However, here are a few of the most common allergies an individual may have:


Seasonal Allergy: It involves allergies caused during a certain period of time. For example, the pollen count in the air is high during the spring and summer. Individuals who have pollen allergies may have their symptoms triggered during these seasons.


Inhalant allergy: It is caused due to substances that are inhaled by an individual and are considered foreign and harmful by their own body. E.g., dust or dust mites, pollen, animal dander, mold spores, etc.
Food Allergy: It involves allergies related to foods such as mushrooms, peanuts, dairy and its products, meat, certain vegetables, etc.


Skin allergy: I t is caused due to exposure to an allergen or irritant. It may typically result in dry and sensitive skin, rash, etc.


Dust allergy: It is caused due to tiny bugs that are commonly present in in-house dust. It may typically result in sneezing, runny nose, etc.


Insect sting allergy: It is caused due to a sting from insects. It may typically result in symptoms such as hives, itching, swelling in areas other than the sting site, etc. This type of allergy may require immediate medical attention.


Pet allergy: It is caused due to certain proteins found in an animal’s skin, saliva, dander, urine, etc. It may typically result in itchy eyes, stuffy nose, sneezing, etc.


Drug allergy: It can be caused due to normally harmless substances in the medication, such as penicillin. It may typically result in symptoms such as a skin rash, wheezing, dizziness, etc. Usually, the symptoms are minor. However, these allergies could also be life-threatening and may require immediate attention.

Common inhalant allergens

Inhalant allergies can be caused due to various air-borne pollutants, both inside and outside the house. A few common inhalant allergens include:

• Pollen (weeds, grass, trees, etc.)
• Mold spores
• Pets
• Fungi
• Dust or Dust mites
• Animal dander
• Cockroaches
• Smog
• Car emissions
• Fragrances
• Household chemicals
• Smoke
• Bug repellent
• Pesticides
  
  

Symptoms of Inhalant allergies

The inhalant allergies usually cause a similar set of symptoms. Air pollution can also trigger symptoms. These include:

• Runny nose
• Stuffy nose/Congestion
• Sinus pressure
• Headache
• Loss of smell
• Itchy eyes, nose, throat, and upper palate
• Rashes over the body
• Constant Sneezing
• Coughing
• Pressure in the ears
• Swollen, red, and watery eyes
• Stomach cramps
  
  

Diagnosis

The diagnosis may involve a complete health history and a close examination of the individual by a healthcare professional. The individual may also be advised of the allergy panel testing that may include:

Skin prick test: In a skin prick test, a small amount of diluted allergen is placed onto the skin, and the skin area is pricked or scratched so that the allergen comes into contact with the body’s inside. If an individual is allergic to that particular allergen, then there will appear a small rash on the skin after about 15–30 minutes. The healthcare professional may also conduct an intradermal allergic test, where a small amount of allergen is injected under the skin and observed for any immune reactions. The intradermal skin test is more sensitive than the skin prick or scratch test. It is recommended to know about allergies related to food, pollen, or dander.

Blood test: Blood tests are recommended for individuals who cannot have skin tests. For example, individuals with skin disorders or diseases. These tests help measure the IgE levels associated with particular allergens.

Challenge test: The challenge test is done by exposing the individual to a specific allergen given either by mouth or inhaled through the nose. It can help figure out the severity of allergies in an individual. Skin and blood tests can help with understanding the likelihood of having an allergy, whereas the challenge test can help understand the severity as well.

Family history of allergies:  A few children tend to get allergies from either of their parents or both. Therefore, knowing the history of family allergies may help ease the diagnosis process. A diary with potential triggers and any reactions to them may be helpful to understand his/her allergies.

Treatment

A variety of treatments are available for inhalant allergies. Both medications and home remedies are helpful in managing symptoms. A few examples include:

Antihistamines: The histamines released as a response from the immune system are blocked with these medications. 

Decongestants: These medications help reduce inflammation of the nasal passages and thin mucus.
Corticosteroids: These medications could be helpful in severe forms of allergic reactions. These are anti-inflammatory in function.

Allergy shots: In this, small amounts of allergens (dust, pollen, dander, etc.) are introduced to an individual’s body over time to reduce the severity/sensitivity towards a particular allergen.

Sublingual immunotherapy: In this, small amounts of allergens are placed under the tongue of an individual for allergies such as dust mites, ragweed, grass pollen, etc.

Home remedies: A few home remedies that may help with allergy symptoms may include keeping your surroundings clean, choosing home furnishings carefully (e.g., rugs may collect allergens), changing pillow covers regularly, reducing smoking, avoiding fragrances, etc.