Indoor Allergies Specialist in St. Louis, MO

Indoor allergies are allergies that are caused by substances in your home, your office, your school, or other indoor environments that you frequently visit. Indoor areas can contain many different allergens, many of which can persist year-round. Indoor allergies may also be referred to as dust allergies or perennial allergies depending on the exact cause. Importantly, the term ‘indoor allergy’ is non-specific, and it is often used to describe an unknown allergy to something more specific indoors. For example, you may actually be allergic to mold, but you may only be exposed to mold in your home, which may cause you to label it as an indoor allergy.

What Causes Indoor Allergies?

The most common indoor allergy causes are dust mites, mold, pollen, animal dander, and cockroaches. Therefore, if you suspect that you have an indoor allergy, you may actually be allergic to one or more of these common indoor allergens. We provide a brief overview of the most common indoor allergens below, but this list is by no means exhaustive.

Dust Mites

Mold

Pollen

Pets

Cockroaches

in St. Louis, Missouri

Indoor Allergy Symptoms

Contrary to what you might expect, indoor allergy symptoms usually get worse during or immediately after dusting, sweeping, or vacuuming because these activities ‘stir up’ allergenic particles, making you more likely to inhale them. Allergenic substances typically take a couple hours to settle again.

Common indoor allergens typically cause allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies). Indoor allergy symptoms include:

• • Red, itchy or teary eyes
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Sneezing
  • Itching
  • Wheezing, coughing tightness in the chest and shortness of breath

In addition to allergic rhinitis, some indoor allergens like dust mites can also trigger asthma and cause eczema to flare.

Indoor Allergy Test

When you see an allergist about indoor allergies, your visit will begin with a detailed medical history. Your allergist will ask you questions about your work and home environments, your family medical history, and specific situations when you’ve experienced allergic reactions.

After your allergist develops an understanding of your medical history, the next step is typically skin testing to determine exactly what indoor allergen you’re allergic to. In the case of indoor allergies, your allergist may test for multiple allergies, including dust mites, mold, pollen, pet dander, etc. depending on your medical history.

A indoor allergy skin test involves using a small, sterile needle to prick the skin. The needle coated with an extract of the suspected allergen. If you’re allergic to the substance, the tested area will swell into a small red welt.

Your allergist may also order a blood test if additional confirmation is needed.

in St. Louis, Missouri

How to Reduce Indoor Allergens

Remove Indoor Allergens From Your Home

• • Where possible, install wood flooring rather than carpeting, especially in bedrooms.
  • Remove curtains and drapes, especially in bedrooms.
  • When you clean, use a central vacuum or a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
  • Use “mite-proof” cases on your mattresses and pillows.
  • Keep a HEPA air cleaner running in your bedroom, and any other high-traffic areas.
  • Keep pets out of the bedroom, and preferably out of the house entirely.
  • Install a high-efficiency media filter with a MERV rating of 11 or 12 in the furnace and the air conditioning unit.
  • Leave the fan on to create a “whole house” air filter that removes particulates.
  • Change media filters at least once every three months to keep the air clean year-round.
  • Have your heating and air conditioning units inspected and serviced every six months.
  • Use a hygrometer to measure the humidity in your home, and do what you can to keep the humidity level below 50 percent. A dehumidifier may be necessary.
  • Use a vent fan to remove moisture in bathrooms and kitchen.
  • Repair water leaks to help manage moisture.

Clean Your Home Regularly

• • If your allergies tend to flair while cleaning, wear an N95 filter mask while dusting, sweeping, or vacuuming.
  • Wash all bed linens regularly using hot water.
  • Keep all unrefrigerated food covered and dispose of food waste in a tightly sealed garbage can.
  • If cockroaches are a known problem, use roach traps and schedule regular visits by a professional pest control service.

Best Medicine for Indoor Allergies

Common medications can provide immediate indoor allergy symptom relief, but their effects are temporary. Decongestants or antihistamines may help alleviate stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, and itching. Corticosteroid sprays may help alleviate inflammation in the nose. Depending on what indoor allergen(s) you’re allergic to, oral immunotherapy or allergy shots may also be a more permanent option to prevent indoor allergy reactions. Visit us at St. Louis Family Allergy to learn more about your indoor allergy treatment options.

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