There are a number of factors that may make your allergies worse. We call these “triggers” because they may trigger an allergy attack. When you are exposed to a trigger, you may experience asthma or allergy symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, runny nose, and/or watery eyes. It’s important to identify your triggers so you can avoid them or take measures to control them.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you have symptoms during the entire year?
- You could be sensitive to animal allergens, dust mites, or indoor molds.
- Do your symptoms get worse after vacuuming, making the bed, or being in a dusty place?
- You could be sensitive to dust mites. Find out how to control dust mites in your home.
- Do your symptoms get worse at certain times of the year?
- If your symptoms occur in early spring, you could be allergic to pollen from trees; late spring suggests pollen from grasses; late summer might be weed pollen. Spring, summer, and fall could mean outdoor molds. Learn how to control your environment.
- Are you around smoke and/or smog?
- Find out how tobacco and pollution affect your asthma and allergies.
- Do you cough or wheeze during the week, but not on weekends when away from work? Do your eyes and nasal passages get irritated soon after arriving at work?
- You could be exposed to allergens at work.
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it might be time to call our office for an allergy evaluation. Now is the perfect time to get tested and on the path to better health. Starting on medications and/or shots prior to spring allergy season is one way to kick start the new year!
