What Are Allergens?
What are Allergens?
Some substances, because of their chemical make-up, are more prone to generate an allergic response in humans. Pollens, food, mold, dust, feathers, animal dander, chemicals, drugs such as penicillin, and environmental pollutants commonly cause many to suffer allergic reactions.
Hay Fever is Caused by Pollens
The most significant cause of hay fever in the United States is ragweed. It begins pollinating in late August and continues until the first frost. Late springtime pollens come from the grasses, i.e., timothy, orchard, red top, sweet vernal, Bermuda, Johnson, and some bluegrasses. Early springtime hay fever is most often caused by pollens of trees such as elm, maple, birch, poplar, beech, ash, oak, walnut, sycamore, cypress, hickory, pecan, cottonwood, and alder.
Certain Allergens are Always Present
These include house dust, household pet danders, foods, wool, various chemicals used around the house, and more. Symptoms from these are frequently worse in the winter when the house is closed up.
Mold Spores Cause at Least as Many Allergy Problems as Pollens
Molds are present all year long, and grow outdoors and indoors. Dead leaves and farm areas are common sources for outdoor molds. Indoor plants, old books, bathrooms, and damp areas are common sources of indoor mold growth.
Colorful or fragrant flowering plants rarely cause allergy because their pollens are too heavy to be airborne, but can be a problem for people that work with these plants every day, such as florists.
With years of experience and expertise in the field of allergy and immunotherapy Dr. Michael Bublik can help you understand your allergy, relieve your symptoms and get you back to enjoying your life again. If you are someone who suffers from chronic allergies please contact us today!
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