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by E. B. Solomont Immunologist Jay Portnoy of Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., explains that allergies result from an abnormally heightened immune response to foreign substances. When people with allergies are exposed, their bodies produce antibodies that bind to the allergen particles. This action causes the release of histamines, which in turn causes the hay fever many people unenthusiastically recognize. Houses, as much as any field of ragweed, may be hotbeds of allergens: there are at least seven types of dust mites and hundreds of species of cockroaches, mice and molds. According to allergist Richard Weber of the National Jewish Medical Center and Research Center, animal dander, dust mites and cockroaches are the most common cause of household allergic angst. Dog and cat hair stick to every surface. Cat dander, particularly, lingers for months after an animal is removed. Not well known is the fact that fecal pellets from cockroaches are the No. 1 cause of childhood asthma in the inner cities today. But dust mites are the kingpins of indoor allergens. "These microscopic creatures live in carpets, mattresses, pillows and other stuffed things," Golden says. They thrive on humidity and dampness and feed on human dandruff and skin scales. According to Golden, "carpets are one of the great evils, acting as a hotel for dust mites and other allergens. Carpets are like reservoirs for allergens, which stir as you walk across them, but remain safe from the average vacuum cleaner." A 10-year-old carpet poses a bigger problem than a two-year-old one, he says. While dust mites are the most common, mold is one of the most feared. It is "all the rage," said Dr. Portnoy of the allergen that has gained national attention in recent years. A reported outbreak of the toxic mold Stachybotrys in Cleveland, Ohio, encouraged this fear. "Mold grows in sheetrock," said Portnoy. "If you see mold or smell a musty smell, then that's a sign that molds are growing and they are happy." In their fight for space with different strains of mold and bacteria, toxic molds produce mycotoxins to harm their competitors. Those mycotoxins can cause health problems, including asthma and immune disorders, for humans, too. But if you can't escape from allergies in the sanctity of your home, what can you do? Weber, Portnoy and others suggest decontaminating with simple "environmental controls." These include finding another home for your pet, removal of carpeting and covering mattresses and pillows with synthetic or plastic wraps. If you have mold, the only option is to get rid of the contaminated area, Portnoy notes. Equipment such as dehumidifiers and HEPA filters can help as well. If environmental controls don't do the trick, internists and allergists can prescribe antihistamines and other allergy medications. Golden recommends "safe and effective" medicines, including steroid nasal sprays, one of his favorites. "The nose is the gateway, and if we can keep the nose more open, things won't build up so much in the sinuses." For the most severely afflicted, allergy shots are a final option. They are made from purified natural allergens and are administered in increasing doses over the course of six months. "Allergy shots work to build resistance to the allergen and helps the immune system so it can block an allergic reaction," Golden says. When allergy hits, never let it go untreated. Many people do, making chronic sinusitis one of the most common chronic illnesses in many parts of the country. "Buildup is hard to treat," Golden says. "The inflamed tissue becomes diseased and does not immediately respond to treatment. You can't turn the clock back 20 years."
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For those who suffer allergies, there should be no haven like home. Shut the windows, turn on the air conditioner, and you escape those pollinating plants and the histamine-infected outdoors. Or do you? It turns out that if you are prone to itchy eyes, stuffy nose, sinus pain or trouble breathing from the great outdoors, allergens in the home can make you sick, too. The usual suspects: Animal dander. Dust mites. Mice. Cockroaches. Feathers. Mold. Each year more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergic diseases, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. As Americans spend more time indoors, it is not surprising that indoor allergens have become a health concern. 