Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesTypesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentSummaryFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Types
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Verywell / Shideh Ghandeharizadeh
Allergic reactions occur when your immune system becomes overly sensitive to certain substances (called allergens). Your immune system will then release chemical mediators such as histamine in response to the allergen.
These substances cause symptoms. Blocking histamine with medications calledantihistaminescan alleviate symptoms. It is not always possible to identify why some individuals' immune systems overreact, but allergies may behereditary.
Indoor allergies are also strongly associated withasthma, a long-term disease of the lungs causing the airways to narrow and restrict breathing.
Most Common Indoor Allergies
Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny arthropods that can only be seen with a microscope. They feed off of tiny flakes of shed human skin and can be found in furniture,carpeting, bedding, and plush toys. Mites prefer warm and humid environments.
Specific ways you can reduce dust mites in your home include:
Animal Dander
Some people are allergic to proteins found on animal fur, skin, saliva, or urine. Symptoms of animal dander allergies are similar to the other indoor allergies.
Specific ways you can reduce animal dander in your home include:
Mold
Mold and fungi reproduce and grow through spores that are released into the air and theninhaled, causing an allergic reaction.
You can be allergic to both indoor and outdoor molds.
Indoor mold allergies can cause year-round symptoms. In the home, the most likely places to encounter these spores are areas that are prone to dampness or water damage, such as the kitchen or bathroom.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are common in many parts of the world, especially in warmer climates.
The body parts, saliva, and droppings from cockroaches contain proteins that some people are allergic to. Cockroach allergies are known for triggering asthma attacks.
Some steps you can take to reduce this allergen in your home include:
Regardless of the culprit, most indoor allergies cause similar symptoms. They also tend to be a problem year-round rather than at certain times of the year, like seasonal or weather-related allergies.
Common Indoor Allergy Symptoms
Some common symptoms of indoor allergies include:
More severe symptoms of indoor allergies include:
An immunologist (a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies) can diagnose allergies.
In addition to a review of your symptoms and a physical examination, the followingtestsare commonly used to diagnose allergies:
When to Seek TreatmentYou should consult a healthcare provider anytime you have had bothersome or unrelieved symptoms lasting longer than a few weeks. You should go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have difficulty breathing or feel like your throat is swelling or closing. This is a symptom of a life-threatening allergic reaction known asanaphylaxis.
When to Seek Treatment
You should consult a healthcare provider anytime you have had bothersome or unrelieved symptoms lasting longer than a few weeks. You should go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have difficulty breathing or feel like your throat is swelling or closing. This is a symptom of a life-threatening allergic reaction known asanaphylaxis.
Treatment for indoor allergies usually involves a combination of medication and measures to reduce your exposure to the allergen.
The following medications are common for the treatment of indoor allergies:
Avoiding triggers (substances that bring on an allergy) is an important part of treatment. Common ways ofcontrolling indoor allergiesinclude adequate housecleaning, proper ventilation, air purifiers, humidity control and pest control (for cockroaches), and repairing broken pipes or water damage.
Immunotherapy
In some cases, your allergy symptoms may be reduced or cured throughimmunotherapy. Immunotherapy usually comes in the form of an allergy shot, but recently sublingual (under the tongue) versions have become available for some types of allergies.
A Word From Verywell
Indoor allergies are very common and can cause serious and sometimes debilitating symptoms. By taking small steps to reduce the number of allergens in your home, as well as working with your healthcare provider to manage your symptoms, you can improve your quality of life.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes. It is possible to outgrow indoor allergens, but severe cases often do not resolve quickly. Allergen avoidance and treatment is recommended in these cases.A cold typically does not last longer than two weeks, while indoor allergies may last much longer than this. Some symptoms such as itchiness or hives are common with allergies but not with the common cold. You may develop a fever and infection with a cold, but this would be highly unusual with indoor allergies.Having a strong family history of allergies may put you at risk for developing indoor allergies.
Yes. It is possible to outgrow indoor allergens, but severe cases often do not resolve quickly. Allergen avoidance and treatment is recommended in these cases.
A cold typically does not last longer than two weeks, while indoor allergies may last much longer than this. Some symptoms such as itchiness or hives are common with allergies but not with the common cold. You may develop a fever and infection with a cold, but this would be highly unusual with indoor allergies.
Having a strong family history of allergies may put you at risk for developing indoor allergies.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Allergic reactions.Allergy & Asthma Network.Allergy statistics in the United States.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Indoor allergens.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Dust mite allergy.Cleveland Clinic.Pet allergies.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Mold allergy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Cockroach allergy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Control Indoor Allergens to Improve Indoor Air Quality.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Allergic reactions.Allergy & Asthma Network.Allergy statistics in the United States.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Indoor allergens.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Dust mite allergy.Cleveland Clinic.Pet allergies.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Mold allergy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Cockroach allergy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Control Indoor Allergens to Improve Indoor Air Quality.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Allergic reactions.Allergy & Asthma Network.Allergy statistics in the United States.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Indoor allergens.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Dust mite allergy.Cleveland Clinic.Pet allergies.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Mold allergy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Cockroach allergy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Control Indoor Allergens to Improve Indoor Air Quality.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Allergic reactions.
Allergy & Asthma Network.Allergy statistics in the United States.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Indoor allergens.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Dust mite allergy.
Cleveland Clinic.Pet allergies.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Mold allergy.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Cockroach allergy.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Control Indoor Allergens to Improve Indoor Air Quality.
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