There are seasonal allergies and there are year-round allergies. For example, ragweed pollen is a fall allergy. Dust is a year-round allergy. Whether it’s when we finally clean under the couch or break out the Christmas decorations toward the end of the year, dust lurks behind every corner, waiting to give us the sniffles. Having a dust allergy is fairly common, but you’ll want to be sure what ails you is actually that or something else. 

But do you want to know something crazy? 

Dust Allergy Causes

Dust allergies are caused by a tiny bug called a dust mite that lives in the dust. That’s right, what you’re allergic to is a living organism (Bhargava, 2020). What’s worse is they’re related to spiders and ticks, but much too small to see. Dust mites feed on dead skin cells sprinkled throughout your home. Nice image, right? 

But in a way, the little critters aren’t the culprit for your symptoms – your immune system is. According to Healthline.com, our body’s reaction to ingesting dust mites gives us the sniffles, not the dust mites themselves. So thank your body for lookin’ out for ya. 

Dust Allergy Symptoms

Much like other allergic reactions, dust allergy symptoms are pretty tame, but it’s important to know them so you can differentiate between a dust allergy, a cold, the flu, or even COVID. If you have asthma, the symptoms may be more severe. 

1. Itchy skin
2. Watery eyes
3. Cough
4. Sneeze
5. Sinus pressure 
6. Postnasal drip
7. Runny nose
8. Congestion

Allergies vs Cold

Sometimes allergies can imitate symptoms similar to a virus, but there are a few differences to consider. We’re just comparing allergies and the cold because of how common both of them are. 

Cold symptoms: 

1. Fatigue
2. Cough
3. Sneeze
4. Runny nose

Now, that might all sound like a dust allergy, but here’s where it differs. According to WebMD, “Your symptoms usually start between 1 and 3 days after you get infected with a cold virus. They typically last for about 3 to 7 days. By then the worst is over, but you may feel stuffed up for a week or more” (Felson, 2020).

The difference is the length of time for symptoms to dissipate. Dust allergy symptoms last as long as you’re around dust. That could be forever if you did nothing about it. 

The Best in Allergy Treatment

Here at the ENT Institute, we offer same-day allergy tests that get you results in minutes. Whether it’s dust, pet dander, mold, or pollen, we’ll use those results to create a treatment plan individualized for your needs. 

Watch the videos below to learn more: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3esn91apjjghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5enuvrolFk

To schedule a same-day allergy test, call or click the button below.

Call 770-740-1860 Book Appointment Now