It’s common to experience allergy symptoms after a walk through Marion Davis Park or even during certain times of the year while at home. You may even be experiencing allergy symptoms after a day at the office, and if you have, there are steps you can take to minimize the symptoms.
An allergic reaction is your immune system’s overreaction to what would otherwise be a normal stimulus. Allergic reactions can result in coughing, sneezing, itching, runny nose, watery eyes and, in severe cases, anaphylactic shock. More than 100 million people experience allergies each year.
Allergic Triggers
If you experience allergies when you report to the office, a few factors could contribute to this, the most common being pollen, dust and mold. Other common allergic triggers in office settings can be:
- Odors such as perfumes
- Cleaning solutions
- Tobacco smoke
- Weather
- Other airborne pollutants or irritants
There is also potential allergic exposure when it comes to food. A shared kitchen or breakroom area can be a potential risk factor for those with food allergies.
Avoiding Allergens
As an employee, there are a few things you can do to alleviate your allergy symptoms while at work. First, discuss your allergies with your employer so they can offer any necessary accommodations. For a food allergy, they can provide an area for you to safely separate your food from the food of others. You can also make your colleagues aware of your allergy so they avoid wearing perfumes or minimize tobacco passive tobacco smoke.
Other precautions that can be taken at work to avoid allergens:
- Carry allergy medications with you.
- Separate coats and jackets from the working area as they can bring in tobacco smoke, perfumes or pet dander.
- Regularly water any office plants and remove the top layer of soil to avoid mold growth.
- Regularly clean desk areas to prevent dust buildup.
- Keep office windows closed to prevent pollen from entering the workplace.
- Ensure proper workplace ventilation.
- Use organic cleaning supplies and ensure the office area is regularly cleaned and carpets are vacuumed.
If you find you have allergies at your workplace, identifying the cause and minimizing the symptoms may not be easy due to the differing potential causes. Your employer and colleagues can help you navigate determining the cause of your allergy symptoms and help prevent them. In the meantime, it may also be helpful to take a daily allergy medication to help manage symptoms.
If you’re unsure of what allergies you may have, you can schedule an allergy test at Carolina Pines ENT. The ENT & allergy specialists can assist you with determining your allergens and come up with a symptom management plan.