What Triggers Your Allergy?

Many people suffer from hayfever and other airborne allergies, but a surprising number of people are not sure what causes their symptoms. For example, if you go out to work and are affected during the working day then something in your work environment may be the trigger. If your allergy symptoms are worse at bedtime, then it could be house dust mites in and around your bedding that are the trigger. In this section we've outlined the most common airborne allergies that cause symptoms so that you can work out which of them may affect you.

Pollen

If you are more prone to airborne allergy symptoms at about the same time each year, then the chances are that you are allergic to pollen. The time of year when you suffer symptoms might give you a good indication of which particular types of pollen are causing the problem.

Hayfever seasons vary from year to year depending on the weather. Nevertheless, the calendar above shows when you are most likely to encounter the most common allergens in the UK.

Mould Spores

Moulds and fungi reproduce by sending out showers of spores into the air, and it is these spores that cause allergy symptoms in about 20% of sufferers. Most will be allergic to more common triggers too and so, for them, the mould allergy is an additional complication rather than the main cause of symptoms. It is not just dense woodlands and old sheds either, moulds can grow anywhere, indoors and out. They are most at home in damp conditions - the kitchen and bathroom and in wooden window frames, the soil of houseplants and under wallpaper throughout the house. Outside, moulds are plentiful in the soil, in rotting wood and leaves, grass cuttings and compost heaps.

House Dust Mites

Contrary to popular belief, it's not dust that causes the problem, but a tiny creature called the house dust mite. More accurately it is their waste droppings that are the most common cause of airborne allergy symptoms. House dust mites are almost always present in house dust, even in the most clean and tidy homes. In a way, they serve a useful purpose in disposing of skin debris in house dust. Unfortunately, that fact is little comfort when you are suffering from the symptoms of airborne allergies; that's what Flixonase Allergy Nasal Spray is for.

Pets (Dander)

Cats, in particular, cause allergies but dogs and rabbits can trigger the itching and sneezing of airborne allergy too. For most people, it is not the fur itself that causes the allergy problem. The symptoms are caused by dander, the name given to the mixture of small particles of fur, skin scales (like dandruff) and saliva. When the pets shed hair or groom themselves the allergens are released into the air and cause allergy symptoms for 40% of airborne allergy sufferers.

Multiple Triggers

With so many airborne allergy sufferers allergic either to house dust mites or to pollen, a very high proportion, over 50% of all airborne allergy sufferers, will be allergic to both. This will mean that they may suffer airborne allergy symptoms all year round, with symptoms becoming noticeably worse during the pollen season.

The percentage of hayfever and other airborne allergy sufferers and their allergic triggers are detailed in the graph below.

Other Triggers

In addition to these common allergy triggers there are other factors in the environment that can make life difficult for airborne allergy sufferers.

Air pollution

High concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and other chemicals that find their way into the atmosphere can irritate the nose and airways even in those who do not suffer from airborne allergies. One of the effects of the late phase allergic response is to make the nasal passages more sensitive to irritants - something called nasal hyper-responsiveness.

Other irritants

Smoke (particularly tobacco), strong smells, perfumes, changes in temperature, or humidity can all provoke symptoms in people who have developed this extra sensitivity (nasal hyper-responsiveness).

Diesel fumes

Importantly, there is another factor concerning irritants and pollution in the air. As well as provoking symptoms, by weakening the delicate nasal lining, irritants may increase susceptibility to allergy triggers. Research has shown that diesel particles in the air make people more sensitive to an allergy trigger such as pollen, mould spores or house dust mites.

Air-conditioned atmospheres

Air conditioned atmostpheres that suck chemicals, dust and pollution from outside, can make allergic reactions worse. Chemicals, pollution from outside, changes in temperature, low humidity and other factors in the ‘sick building syndrome’ can increase nasal sensitivity. Even good air conditioning, with efficient air filters that can reduce the level of pollen, will not get rid of all air pollution.