Airborne Allergens
Some of the most common things people are allergic to are airborne and blown around in the air we breathe:
- Dust mites are microscopic insects that live alongside humans and feed on the millions of dead skin cells that fall off our bodies every day. They’re the main allergic component of house dust. Dust mites are present year-round and live in bedding, upholstery, and carpets.
- Molds are fungi that live in damp areas both inside and outside the home. Treat any patches of mold with a good anti fungicide and avoid letting damp areas fester.
- Pollen is a major cause of allergies and this is normally called “hay fever”. Tiny particles that plants use to propagate themselves are released into the air and this is especially true in summer. Watch out for a high pollen count.
- Pet allergens are caused by – you guessed it – pets!. When pets lick themselves, the saliva gets on their fur or feathers. As the saliva dries, protein particles become airborne and work their way into fabrics in the home. Pet urine also can cause allergies in the same way.
Common Food Allergens
Millions of children worldwide are affected by a food allergy and just about any food can cause this. However kids are fine with most foods, here are some of the common foods that cause allergies.
- Cows milk.Strange but true is the fact that humans have only been consuming cow’s milk for a relatively short time. We are much more used to goats and sheep milk and tolerate it better.
If your child is allergic it is probably caused by lactose and you should by lactose free dairy products or stick to goats milk.
- Eggs.Egg allergy can be a challenge for parents. Eggs are used in many of the foods kids eat — and in many cases they’re “hidden” ingredients. Kids tend to outgrow egg allergies as they get older.
- Fish – sea food. These allergies are some of the more common adult food allergies and ones that people usually don’t outgrow. Fish and shellfish are from different families of food, so having an allergy to one does not necessarily mean someone will be allergic to the other.
- Peanut allergies are on the rise, and as are allergies to tree nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and cashews. Most people do not outgrow peanut or tree nut allergies.
- Soy allergy is more common among babies than older kids. Many infants who are allergic to cow’s milk are also allergic to the protein in soy formulas. Soy proteins are often a hidden ingredient in prepared foods.
- Wheat proteins are found in many foods, and some are more obvious than others. Although wheat allergy is often confused with celiac disease, there is a difference. Celiac disease is sensitivity to gluten (found in wheat, rye, and barley). But a wheat allergy can do more than make a person feel ill — like other food allergies, it also can cause a life-threatening reaction.
Other Common Allergens
- Insects. For most kids, being stung means swelling, redness, and itching at the site of the bite. But for those with insect venom allergy, an insect sting can cause more serious symptoms.
- Medicines.Antibiotics are the most common type of medicines that cause allergic reactions. Many other others, including over-the-counter medicines (those you can buy without a prescription), also can cause allergic reactions.
- Chemicals.Some cosmetics or laundry detergents can make people break out in hives. Usually, this is because someone has a reaction to the chemicals in these products, though it may not always be an allergic reaction. Dyes, household cleaners, and pesticides used on lawns or plants also can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Some Children also have what are called cross-reactions. For example, kids who are allergic to birch pollen might have symptoms when they eat an apple because that apple is made up of a protein similar to one in the pollen. And for reasons that aren’t clear, people with a latex allergy (found in latex gloves and some kinds of hospital equipment) are more likely to be allergic to foods like kiwi, chestnuts, avocados, and bananas.