NE Valley Times

Do you know what causes your allergy symptoms?

Perhaps you have pet allergies, or maybe you get the sniffles every spring. Whatever the cause is, you’re not alone.

More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, according to the American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology. Asthma and allergic diseases like rhinitis, or hay fever, affect all age groups.

“Allergies can be a constant struggle, especially out here in the Arizona desert and mountains,” Dr. John Stewart of Arizona Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers told NE Valley Times. “We offer two types of testing here: blood tests known as RAST and a skin-scratch test. With the scratch test, you get instant results and a treatment plan can be coordinated immediately based on your individual test results.” 

According to a report by Harvard Medical School, chronic sinusitis is a long-term inflammation of the sinuses. Chronic sinusitis is often linked to the buildup of mucus, which leads to increased sinus pressure and facial pain. In adults, sinusitis can cause nasal swelling due to inhaled dust, mold, pollen or the spores of fungi. Those allergies trigger the release of histamine and other chemicals that cause the inner lining of the nose to swell and block drainage.

In the U.S., it’s believed that as many as 30% of people with allergies have reactions to pets, such as cats and dogs, according to a report by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Suffering from cat allergies is about twice as common as dog allergies. This is amplified by the fact that more than half of households in the U.S. have a dog, cat or both, according to the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy.

A pet allergy can lead to constant annoying symptoms, which are very similar to seasonal allergies. Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and facial pain due to nasal congestion are common.

Contrary to popular belief, there are no hypoallergenic pets, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. It's more accurate to say that some people are allergic to particular dog breeds more than others. Even hairless dogs and cats can trigger allergies.

If you're interested in evaluating your allergy or sinus symptoms, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.