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Nasal Allergies
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Causes of Nasal Allergies
An allergy is a sensitivity to a substance called an allergen. Nasal allergies are most commonly caused by one or more of four kinds of allergens: pollen, house-dust mites, mold, and animals. Because pollen is a problem only during certain times of the year, it usually causes seasonal nasal allergies. House-dust mites, mold, and animals may be around all year long, and so usually cause perennial nasal allergies. Other substances, called irritants, can bother the nose and make allergy symptoms worse.

Pollen
Plants reproduce by moving tiny grains of pollen from plant to plant. Some pollen is carried by bees and some is blown by the wind. It's the wind-blown pollen that causes nasal allergies. The amount of pollen in the air varies from season to season.

House-Dust Mites
House-dust mites are tiny bugs too small to see. They can live in mattresses, blankets, stuffed toys, and carpets. The droppings of these mites are a common indoor cause of nasal allergies. These droppings are found in house dust, such as the dust on bookshelves or in curtains.

Mold
Mold loves dark, damp areas. It tends to grow in bathrooms, basements, refrigerators, and in the soil of houseplants. Mold reproduces by sending tiny grains called spores into the air. If these spores are breathed in, they can cause a nasal allergic reaction.

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Animals
Pets such as cats, dogs, birds, horses, and rabbits are common causes of nasal allergies. Flakes of skin (dander, or dandruff), saliva left on fur when an animal cleans itself, urine in litter boxes and cages, and feathers on birds are all substances that can cause nasal allergies.

Irritants Make Allergies Worse
Although irritants don't cause nasal allergies, they can bother the nose and make allergy symptoms worse. Cigarette smoke, perfume, aerosol sprays, smoke from wood stoves or fireplaces, car exhaust, and strong odors are examples of irritants. 3b1500


 
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