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Many people experience allergic reactions but never connect them to the pests hiding in their homes. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, approximately 20 million Americans have allergies to cockroaches alone. Pest allergies develop when your immune system overreacts to proteins found in pest droppings, saliva, or body parts.
These allergens can circulate through your home’s air, triggering symptoms that you might mistake for seasonal allergies or common colds. Identifying the connection between your symptoms and household pests is crucial for effective treatment and improving your quality of life.
Remember to speak to a doctor to get treatment for your pest allergy. After that, also consult Sheridan exterminators so you do not have to face pest allergy again in your house.
Signs And Symptoms of Pest Allergy
While symptoms of pest allergy are numerous, here are some of the most common ones that people experience.
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Watch Out For Skin Reactions
Allergies to pests are mostly manifested in the skin. Be on the lookout for unexplained rashes, hives, or red, itchy patches that come and go. About 15 percent of people with skin allergies react to proteins found in many pests. These reactions usually worsen after exposure to infested areas of your home.
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Respiratory Symptoms
Respiratory reactions are some of the most common symptoms of pest allergies. You may have sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, or post-nasal drip. A study found that cockroach allergen levels in urban homes are high enough to cause asthma symptoms in 44% of urban homes. If you find that your breath becomes labored or you wheeze, especially when you’re at home, you may have an allergy to pests.
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Eye Irritation
Watery, red, or itchy eyes that don’t respond to regular eye drops may be indicative of pest allergies. For Asthma & Immunology, up to 40% of people with pest allergies experience eye symptoms.
Different Types of Pest Allergy And How To Recognize Them
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Cockroach Allergy
Cockroach allergies affect 17–41% of those with allergies in different geographic locations and housing conditions. You will usually see symptoms year-round, not seasonally. Coughing at night is especially prevalent because cockroaches are nocturnal animals, so they unleash more allergens when they are most active. Cockroach allergens, for example, can remain viable in house dust for five years, making them especially troublesome.
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Dust Mite Allergy
Technically classified as arachnids and not insects, dust mites are common household pests that can cause allergies. Symptoms are frequently worse in the morning after sleeping on bedding contaminated with mites. According to the World Health Organization, around 65% of allergy patients are sensitive to dust mites. You feel better when you leave home, but your symptoms return within hours of being back home. Dust mites could be to blame.
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Rodent Allergy
Mouse and rat allergies cause symptoms like other pest allergies but may also lead to more severe respiratory reactions. Those allergic to rodents frequently notice their symptoms worsening upon entering basements, attics, or storage areas where rodents commonly nest.
What To Do If You Notice Pest Allergy Symptoms?
If you think you may have a pest allergy, getting help as soon as possible may greatly enhance your quality of life. The first thing to do is talk to an allergist who can do tests to determine which pests are causing you to react. Proper diagnosis can decrease allergy treatment expenses by as much as 33%.
- Make an appointment with an allergist for skin or blood tests for pest allergens.
- Keep a log of when and where your symptoms are experienced to help spot patterns.
- Start using a HEPA air purifier, which is capable of removing 90% of airborne allergens.
- Wash bedding once a week in hot water (130°F or hotter) to kill dust mites and remove allergens.
- Vacuum and clean regularly with a HEPA-filtered vacuum
- Try to eliminate carpeting, which can trap pest allergens for the long term
- Barrier against pest allergens Mattress and pillow covers that are allergen-proof
- Pests are attracted to moisture, so if you have moisture issues in your house, get rid of them
