Indoor or outdoor, be alert of allergens around you!

The best adventures always happen outdoors. Exploring the world around you can be quite fun, but did you know this playful outdoors can affect you as well? With what? ALLERGIES! From mold to pollen and even pollution, everything can be responsible to trigger outdoor allergy symptoms. An allergic reaction occurs when a harmless substance is considered harmful by your body's immune system. The immune system takes action, and the resulting effect is seen as an allergic reaction. Now, you would ask- which are these outdoor allergens that affect you?

• Pollen- Pollen gets airborne with no effort and during pollination season, it can be pretty hard to steer clear from them. The spores released during pollination trigger pollen allergy if inhaled.
• Mold- Similar to pollen allergy, outdoor mold release spores that can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Prominently active in the rainy season, these mold spores can also be present all-year-round to make things difficult for an allergic person.
• Pollution- Pollution is all around us. The various harmful gases released by vehicles and industries not only cause allergies but can also lead to other respiratory diseases in a few people.

Now, you'd think it's better to stay indoors to stay safe from all the outdoor allergies. Although it would help to lessen the risk of outdoor allergies, there are some indoor allergies you need to be mindful about. Yes, indoor allergies exist and the most common of them all is dust allergy. Other than that, several different indoor triggers may include bathroom mold, pet fur, pollen from indoor plants.

Dust particles are hard to stay away from because dust is present all around the house. Other indoor allergies show symptoms similar to dust allergy symptoms, these can range from mild to severe. They may include:  

• Itchy throat & cough
• Runny or itchy nose
• Postnasal drip
• Itchy, watery or red eyes
• Swollen eyes
• Itchy skin
• Nasal congestion
• Sinus pressure

But many people still question can allergies be treated? Is there any way you can prevent allergies? Although allergies cannot be cured, you can try to lower the risk of coming in contact with the allergen by undertaking a few measures. The best way of allergy prevention is to avoid contact with the allergen. But how do you avoid microscopic indoor dust mites or outdoor pollen spores? Here's how! 

• Airtight mattresses, pillows, couch are prone to dwell allergic particles, so make sure you clean them regularly.
• Dust and mold thrive in humidity if you use dehumidifiers or air conditioners you can lessen the risk of being infected.
• Avoid heading outdoors when it's high pollen count season to avoid the risk of allergies. If you do, please ensure you wear a mask.
• Wash and change your bedding often.
• Avoid carpets in your bedroom, if not vacuum them regularly.
• If you have rugs in the house, make sure you wash them in hot water.
• Mop floors regularly to limit the growth of any mold.

The best way to deal with indoor allergens is regular vacuuming and cleaning whereas, when it comes to outdoor allergies, wearing a mask can lessen the risk of getting infected.

If you're showing any allergy symptoms, please consult a doctor right away for a proper diagnosis. Workout an allergy management plan and ensure you avoid the allergy triggers for better allergy management.