Dust Allergy - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Are you fighting a spell of coughs and sneezes? It could probably be due to dust allergy.

Be it summer or winter, dust is the eternal enemy and one of the main nasal congestion causes. In summer, dust allergy is caused by dust mites which peak during this warm season by releasing their spores. In Fall or Monsoon, pollen get dispersed due to winds and become one of the breathing difficulty reasons. With winter grows mold and mildew in the dampness, causing nasal allergies. So, come rain or shine, you should always consult an expert ENT specialist doctor and get dust allergy treatment if you are often prone to coughs and colds.

What is dust allergy?

Dust allergy is an adverse reaction caused by the body in response to the presence of some fungal, bacterial or viral pathogens in the surrounding environment. These invisible microbes called dust mites can spread by air, water or even by touch from contact surfaces. They trigger an immediate and undesirable reaction from the body like itching, coughing, sneezing, stuffy or running nose, etc. Dust allergy is one of the main nasal congestion causes  in children and aged adults. For people with poor immunity or a sensitive respiratory system, dust allergy is the foremost of breathing difficulty reasons and could prove fatal too. That is why persons with a history of frequent cold and breathing issues are advised to consult an experienced ENT specialist doctor and undertake dust allergy treatment compulsorily.

Nasal congestion causes

When you have a stuffy nose, you are said to have nasal congestion. One of the main nasal congestion causes is dust allergy caused by dust mites. Dust mites instantly trigger an undesirable reaction called "allergic rhinitis" or "hay fever".  Hay fever may cause stuffy or running nose, itching of the nose, eyes and mouth, sneezing, etc.  Nasal congestion can be treated easily by a competent ENT specialist doctor by using nasal sprays, oral antihistamines, antibiotics, decongestants, etc.

Home remedies like steam inhalation may arrest nasal congestion only temporarily. Permanent and substantial relief can be gained only by consulting an ENT specialist doctor immediately.

Is it true that prolonged nasal congestion causes asthma?

Yes. Studies by the Swedish Sahlgrenska Academy's Research Centre reveal that prolonged nasal congestion or a runny nose could be linked to severe asthma. Patients with frequent nasal complaints like wheezing, shortness of breath, etc. should be investigated compulsorily for asthma. Dust allergy causes allergic rhinitis and this has been known to trigger asthma symptoms in many. An experienced ENT specialist doctor can detect symptoms of asthma and treat nasal congestion accordingly.

Breathing Difficulty Reasons

Discomfort while breathing and inability to draw a complete breath is termed as breathing difficulty. Breathing difficulty reasons may be caused by lung conditions like asthma, pneumonia, COPD, pulmonary hypertension or pulmonary embolism. Coronary heart diseases can also cause a shortness of breath. Anatomical anomalies like hiatal hernia or viral infections like croup or epiglottitis are also some of the breathing difficulty reasons. But the easiest and commonest reason for breathing difficulty is dust allergy.

Can dust allergy be fatal?

Dust allergy should not be ignored carelessly as it might lead to a fatal condition called "anaphylaxis". Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction causing shortness of breath, lowering of blood pressure ,etc. It may be one of the dangerous breathing difficulty reasons that might result in even death within a few minutes. This is why dust allergy must not be ignored as trivial and taken seriously by consulting a good ENT specialist doctor regularly.

Dust allergy treatment

Dust allergy treatment should be undertaken from a seasoned ENT specialist doctor and may include

1. Oral immunotherapy - by prescribing oral tablets or antibiotics
2. Subcutaneous Immunotherapy - by administering anti-allergy injections.

The ENT specialist doctor may also recommend some changes in your household and lifestyle like

• using a dehumidifier or HEPA filters
• using non-allergenic bed covers
• washing bed linen once a week in hot water
• vacuuming all areas
• mopping floor surfaces
• removing clutter, etc.

Dust allergy can become a chronic ailment if not addressed rightly. Seek the help of an expert ENT specialist doctor  and curb it immediately.