Not all allergic reactions are immediate and severe.  Exposure to allergens over a long period of time can affect our lives in such subtle ways, we sometimes don’t recognize them for what they are. Have you ever been guilty of snapping at people in your office because of that little headache that just won’t go away? What about feeling irritated because you just can’t hear anyone correctly? Are you frustrated because you are too drowsy to focus? For once it isn’t because work is too boring. These are just a few overlooked symptoms of allergies. 

Have you found yourself more irritable at work, frustrated with other people for setting you off, and yourself for your short fuse? Everyone seems to be giving you a headache. When the end of the day finally comes, you leave work, and while driving home you can feel that slow building headache start to dissolve. 

By the time you get out of your work clothes, it is gone. The good news is that headache you get so often from work might not just be your coworkers or your job. You could be allergic to work … well, allergens at your work. 

Perhaps it may not only be at your work that you notice it. Could be when you visit a friend’s place or come into contact with a particular person that you seem to get a pressure headache or feel drowsy. The culprit could be an allergy to a pet, someone’s perfume, or another trigger setting your symptoms off. It might be something obvious like dust or unseen triggers like food mold which can affect your sinuses. 

Signs and Symptoms

Whatever the allergen is, your sinuses are constantly under attack, causing the awful pressure headaches. Not only could these allergens be causing you headaches, they might be the source of your bad hearing. Pressure that builds up in your sinuses can constrict your ear canals, making it harder to hear.  The need to have things repeated can contribute to your frustration. Irritations like these impact your mood, as well as how others see and relate to you. Allergy symptoms can make you the office grump. 

On the other hand, maybe you just have trouble focusing because the pressure is making you drowsy and dizzy. When you open your window, the fresh air always makes you want to take a nap. Maybe you are known as the klutzy one in your group of friends. You trip over rocks, grass, and invisible things. The upside to these situations is that you can tell people I’m not a klutz; it’s an inner ear thing. The cause for this spontaneous loss of spatial awareness is pressure in your ear throws you off balance, and the airborne allergens affect your eyes, making them blurry and watery. 

These reactions can be so common you may not recognize them as allergies; however, they can have a significant impact on your life. One of your best defenses against these hidden allergies is to research and become educated on the various triggers.  Also, it is always recommended to see your doctor and see if getting an allergy test would be the right path for treatment.

Quality of Life

Even if you are already being treated for allergies by your doctor, there are other steps you can take that will improve your quality of life. The solution can be as simple as getting a dehumidifier or air purifier; these help to alleviate the pressure on your sinuses. Another would be cleaning the places that you know trigger your symptoms.

Ever notice how you feel better after the house is vacuumed and your sheets are washed? That is not just the feeling of accomplishment or the relief from your friends teasing you. By cleaning, you are getting rid of the dust mites, dandruff, and other allergens that cause your symptoms. The more your vacuum picks up, the better you feel and the clearer you think. You can never tell what allergens are getting transferred into your living space and on your clothes or whether it’s just air pollution. 

Getting an air filter at your work may be difficult, but rarely would a boss turn down someone who volunteered to clean. There are many types of household cleaners and vacuums that can help you get rid of the allergens in your home. You don’t have to suffer silently. Recognize the symptoms, get educated, visit your doctor, and attack these unwanted spores in your home. You will go from grumpy and stuffy to gracious and smiling in no time!