What Are Airborne Allergies?
The 200+ different airborne allergens come from four categories, including animals, mould , dust mites , and the pollen from grass, trees, weeds and flowers.
These sources of airborne allergens are light so they can travel through the air and stick to your clothes and hair. In fact, ragweed pollen has been found as far as 650 kilometres out to sea and three kilometres up in the atmosphere. And one study showed the most common cat allergen was detected in 100 percent of airplane seats tested.1
TYPES OF ALLERGIES
GRASS POLLEN
Not all grass species cause allergic reactions. Unfortunately, grasses that are highly allergenic are common on lawns and in fields. They include:
- Ryegrass
- Bahia Grass
- Bermuda/Couch Grass
- Cocksfoot/Orchard Grass
- Timothy Grass
- Kentucky Blue/June Grass
Grass Pollen Tip
Keep your lawn cut short to help prevent grass from flowering and releasing pollen.
ANIMAL DANDER
The proteins in an animal’s skin flakes, saliva and urine trigger allergies. Animal with fur or feathers can produce these allergens, but the most common are species people tend to keep as pets, such as:
- Cats
- Dogs
- Rabbits
- Mice, gerbils and guinea pigs
- Birds
Pet Dander Tip
Being exposed to pets at an early age may help you avoid pet allergies.
MOULD SPORES
Mould can be found indoors or out. It grows anywhere it has moisture, air and organic compounds to eat. It spreads by releasing fine spores into the air that trigger allergies. Common types of allergenic mould include:
- Alternaria: Thrives on wood, plants and vegetation
- Aspergillus: Common in compost piles and decaying leaves
- Cladosporium: Grows on soil and decaying organic matter
- Penicillium: Thrives on old food and decaying vegetation
Mould Spores Tip
Use mould-killing cleaners regularly in damp rooms such as laundry rooms, bathrooms and kitchens.
DUST MITES
Dust allergies are caused by microscopic spider-like mites that eat dead skin flakes. They are present in almost every home and are harmless — unless, of course, you are allergic. The most common type of dust mite found in Australia and New Zealand homes is Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.
Dust Mites Tip
Dust mites “drink” by absorbing moisture through their skin. Keeping your home’s humidity low will reduce their numbers.
WEED POLLEN
Weed pollen — particularly ragweed pollen — is considered the most allergenic of all plant pollens. Weeds are everywhere, and wind can carry their pollen for hundreds of kilometres. Here are some of the most common allergenic weeds:
- Plantain
- Privet
- Nettles
- Chenopod
- Dock, Sorrel
Weed Pollen Tip
Removing weeds in your garden helps, but weed pollen is everywhere. Monitor pollen forecasts before going out.
TREE POLLEN
Many common types of trees reproduce by releasing vast quantities of pollen into the air. Just like with weeds, it can be next to impossible to escape a tree pollen allergy . Stay indoors and keep windows closed when the pollen forecast is high.
Common allergenic trees include:
- Gorse
- Macrocarpa
- Wattle
- Pine
- Oak
- Native Beech
- Birch
- Olive
Tree Pollen Tip
Replace allergy-causing trees on your property with fruit trees that rely on insects for pollination.
Claratyne® Provides 24-Hour Relief of Symptoms That Can Be Triggered by These Allergens
To understand how Claratyne® provides 24-hour, non-drowsy relief from allergy symptoms, it’s important to know what causes an allergic reaction. When you take a breath or rub your nose or eyes, allergens enter your body and your immune system triggers a hypersensitivity reaction. To get rid of the substance it thinks is harmful, your body undergoes various reactions and releases inflammatory mediators like histamine .
When the histamine binds to receptors on other cells in your body, it causes you to experience allergy symptoms, including runny nose, sneezing, itchy/watery eyes, itchy nose or throat, nasal congestion and sinus pressure.
How Claratyne® Works
Claratyne® is an antihistamine so it hinders the cascade triggered by allergens. By hindering this cascade, Claratyne® relieves allergy symptoms that can be caused by 200+ different airborne allergens.
When to Take Claratyne®
Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Claratyne® provides 24-hour relief of symptoms, such as sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, runny nose and itchy skin that can be triggered by over 200 different allergens.
REFERENCES
- Martin IR, Wickens K, Patchett K, et al. Cat allergen levels in public places in New Zealand. N Z Med J. 1998;111(1074):356-358.
