My relationship with allergies is very old. It started when I was an eight-year-old boy. I remember I came back home after playing cricket and started scratching my hands and feet. The itchiness was like a sensation that makes you want to scratch on and on. Soon, there were rashes on my skin.
Initially, my parents were not able to figure out that it was an allergy. Even the family doctor’s prescription was not effective. As time passed, my parents noticed a pattern – I was getting the itching sensation and rashes during summers. So, they understood that I was allergic to sun.
When you go out to play in the streets, you don’t wear sports shoes or gloves and during the summer vacation of the late 90s and early 2000s, sun or heat was never considered as a hindrance while playing cricket in the streets.
From one allergy to another
At the age of sixteen, I found a way to manage it. A dermatologist prescribed me a cream. The cream was so effective that rashes vanished from my skin and the itchiness was controlled to a great extent.
I started my career in 2014 and my first posting was in a city eighty kilometers away from my hometown. Rather than living there, I decided to commute via local train every day. The first few months of commuting were enjoyable but after that, I started falling ill regularly. After a couple of years, I would have blocked nose and cough bi-monthly (once in two months). By the time the family doctor diagnosed that it was an allergy, I had completed three and a half years of commuting.
The doctor recommended getting a transfer but that was not possible for another year or so. So, he prescribed me a medicine to manage the allergy. I took that medicine daily and it controlled my dust and pollution borne allergy.
I got the transfer in 2019 and my lifestyle changed completely. Along with the change in lifestyle, my health improved.
Allergy in the time of corona crisis
In March 2020, our prime minister announced a lockdown due to coronavirus. And as the virus spread, people started taking precautionary measures.
People started sanitizing anything and everything entering in the house. In my house, I took that responsibility. I sanitized the packed items with a disinfectant spray and while doing that, I often ended up sneezing.
Every single sneeze gave birth to a thousand thoughts in my mind. “Is it cold?” “Am I having flu?” or “Is it COVID-19?”
When I noticed that it was happening only when I was sanitizing things then I realised that I was allergic to the smell of disinfectant.
Now, before starting the sanitization, I cover my face to control the sneezing.
Home Sickness!
If you are thinking, “can you be allergic to your home in India,” then the answer is yes. Your home can make you sick if you are allergic to dust, mold, insects or chemicals (in perfume or face cream).
I took a week’s break after sneezing while sanitizing and researched about being sick at home as I had not stepped out of my house during the lockdown.
During my research, I found the concept of indoor allergies on the Allergy Free website. I got the idea of covering my face while reading the allergy management section on the website.
So, if you are also taking precautions and are still sneezing or having cough and runny nose, it doesn’t mean you are infected with coronavirus; you might be allergic to something.
Know more about allergies and their management here.
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in the blog content are independent and unbiased views of solely the blogger. This is a part of the public awareness initiative supported by Sanofi India. Sanofi India bears no responsibility for the content of the blog. One should consult their healthcare provider for any health-related information.
References:
I mirrored the exact same emotions. With climate change things are scary. This article was very helpful
Thank you 🙂
I agree. If we can nip the bud from the start, then allergens can stay out and we can be allergy free. I think this is where we should focus upon.
Yes, we should make necessary changes in our lifestyle to fight with allergies.
Its such a detailed blog on the ways in which allergens can affect and what we can do to be #AllergyFree. Very helpful
I am glad that you find it helpful.
Allergic to the disinfectant! Have you tried using milder disinfectants? I’m sure the fragrance won’t be as strong. But I have to agree that allergies are really confusing!
#AllergyFree
I am using Savlon disinfectant spray, I have ordered Bacto this time, let’s see the effect of it.
I agree. Many allergies do originate from stuff at home. People should realize that early.
Yes from now onwards people should find that early and should start working on it immediately.
Allergens in the house cause great harm like you mentioned.
Yes in fact during Corona times it becomes very important for us to deduce whether it is cold, allergy or COVID. Expert opinion always helps.
Yes, expert opinion always help!
Allergies can be very debilitating and who knows better than those of us who have suffered. Glad to know you are better now. A really helpful post.
We must take allergies more seriously. Dust, mite and food allergies are so common among adults and kids. Thanks for sharing
I am glad you found it helpful.
Even I am allergic to lot of things and during monsoons and winters I need to be very careful since I have sinus and asthma.
Then check out website mentioned in the post.
Thanks for such a detailed post on allergy causes inside the house…. Dust & food is the main in them
I have same problem of allergies. This article I can very well relate as I have too the same problem.
I hope this article was helpful to you.
That’s really am informative article. These days we are so much scared and relate every sneeze with corona, we actually forget there are some other infections too.
Exactly!
I could relate to your post so much, we have to basically find the trigger of our allergy and work on it
Exactly!
Allergies can be really irritating and frustrating. The best way to manage the allergies is to first zero in on the source of allergy and try to avoid or protect oneself from them.
Exactly, changes in lifestyle are important for that.
From the title I came to know that this article is for me. This detailed description is really appreciable. I also did manage my severe allergy scenario by making some lifestyle changes. It works out well.
Yes, that’s the best way to manage the allergies.
We should take precautions to avoid allergies. If you are allergic you should know why and look for immediate remedies. Great thoughts.
Yes, and if you want help then visit the website mentioned in the post.
It really sadens me that allergy is inherited. I’ve allergy from dust. Yes sanitising I do get lot of sneezing. Will cover my face.
I am glad you found it helpful.
I could understand your situation as my mother too has been battling severe allergies some un explained till date. We need to be vigilant enough to trace the source
Exactly!
I have dust allergy and specially now its time for sneezing coughing. But we have that fear now for coronavirus. Its actually pannic nothing else
That’s why I have mentioned a website to help people recognize that allergy.
I have a really bad dust allergy. With COVID around, I need to disinfect surfaces almost everyday because I can’t let the allergies get to me. I feel you!
Website is mentioned in the post which will help find the solution.
We should take out the allergic reaction seriously and find out the reason. The situation is do crucial.