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Written by Jerry Malcolm
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Friday, 18 December 2009 19:33 |
 The problem of allergies is not something mysterious. Almost everyone either has some level of allergy problems or has someone in the family who suffers with allergies. Most people suffer with allergies that are common and the causes are well known. If your allergy produces sinus problems, it is probably caused by pollen or some other natural substance produced when plants outside generate spores or other airborne matter. If your allergy is digestive, there is a good chance you have a food allergy and the most common causes of food allergies are sea food and dairy products.
Of course, we know there are plenty of other causes of allergies. It is a challenge to an allergy sufferer to isolate exactly what is causing the problem. That is because there really is no cure for allergies except to avoid the allergen that is making your allergic symptoms act up. The problem is compounded by the fact that not all allergic symptoms are easily diagnosed. It is possible to develop an allergic skin rash that comes from a food allergy and it is possible for you to develop digestive problems from an allergen that you breathe in through your lungs.
If the search for the allergen that is giving you problems or that is causing allergic reactions in your children, you really have to open search to a wide variety of potential causes. There are some unusual causes of allergies that may be affecting you or someone in your family but that are coming from something in your home that you would never suspect. Let's unmask a few of these unusual allergen sources.
Many artificial scents can set off an allergic reaction that resembles hay fever and other sinus problems. But if the allergen is coming from a product that is being used in the home, you could eliminate the problem and in doing so, eliminate the source of the allergy for you or your affected family member. A good example is scented candles. Most of us love these little accents to the home. But that candle puts a perfumed chemical into the air and that can act as an allergen and cause nasal problems, sneezing and even headaches.
Perfumes or colognes that we wear to be more socially pleasing can create the same problem. A good way to test if your allergy is being caused by a chemical scent in the home is to either eliminate all artificial agents that generate nice odors or leave the home for a while and get some fresh air to see if that clears up the problem.
Many allergies are caused by dust mites that can take up residence in all kinds of unexpected places. If you suspect that dust mites are causing your allergic symptoms, the obvious places to begin your cleaning are the ventilation shafts and filters. In addition, the carpets of your home can be a home for many dust mites who can live in the fabrics and get stirred up by walking or even by the vacuum sweeper. To get rid of them once and for all may mean more regular carpet cleaning. But it would be worth the investment to get that source of allergy suffering out of the house.
You should use a critical eye when reviewing where in the house dust mites could be hiding. Even such unsuspected places as old stuffed animals or the upholstery of chairs could be housing dust mites that will continue to cause problems for you or your family until they are eliminated from your environment.
Allergic reactions to food may be coming from food sources that are not the usual allergy suspects. Some people are allergic to peppers or some kinds of spices. Those allergies are hard to track down because they would only surface when that spice is used in food preparation. It is possible to react to alcohol as though it was causing an allergic reaction. In that case, the real allergen is probably the wheat or some other ingredient in the alcohol that is causing the problem. Switching to a different drink could clear the problem up. Also, be alert if you find your eyes running or get other allergic reactions to lemons or limes. There is a component in citrus fruits called limonene that has been known to serve as an allergen at times.
We use many chemical substances in our routines lives at home and each of them could serve to introduce an allergen to the home. So if an allergy problem become difficult to diagnose, take a look at the soaps and detergents you use, the cleansing agents that are kept around for washing the floor or the dishes or even to types of paints that may have been used recently on the walls. Each of them could be causing allergy problems.
Once your remove the source of the allergy, you usually will cause the associated allergic symptoms go away quickly as well. And by being creative in identifying what is causing that unpleasant or possibly debilitating allergic reaction, you can reduce the impact of allergies on the members of your family. And that is a goal worth striving for.
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