So….what exactly is an allergen? 

According to medterms.com, an allergen is a substance that can trigger an allergic reaction in the body. There are countless allergens present in our world, from penicillin to pollen to peanuts. However, in this entry we’ll focus on airborne allergens – substances so light they can be carried through air currents. There are four common airborne allergens:  

1. Dust Mites: These tiny critters love stable, indoor environments, especially upholstered surfaces like mattresses, pillows and carpets, and feed on dead skin cells. Want to see one of these resilient bugs for yourself? Get a microscope. They’re so small, 10 million could be living in your bed right now!  

2. Pet Dander: Pet dander is created by the dead skin cells (not hair!) that are shed by animals. Certain proteins in the dander can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. The most common pet allergen? Cat dander. It’s super sticky and can become airborne as microscopic particles. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, up to 30% of us are allergic to cats.  

It's probably a good thing we can't actually see them.

3. Indoor Mold: Indoor mold is caused by moisture from condensation, leakage or another source. It spreads via spores that become airborne when they are disturbed directly by the air current.  

4. Pollen: A fine, powder like material produced by seed plants when they reproduce, the proteins inside pollen often cause allergic reactions. The common term for an allergy to pollen is hay fever, and it’s estimated that 15 to 20% of us suffer from it every year, particularly in the spring and late summer months.  

These allergens can cause a wide variety of allergic reactions, from itchy, watery eyes to severe wheezing and shortness of breath. 

We’ll cover how to find relief from allergens next. Stay tuned.  

Sources:
American College of Allergies, Asthma and Immunology
Allergybegone.com
Kidshealth.org

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