Do you ever experience sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and red, itchy or watery eyes while sitting at your desk, trying to get work done? If so, it may surprise you that it is not your body simply telling you it’s time to let your boss know how you really feel and make use of that fine arts degree. What your body is telling you is that you may actually be allergic to work.
It is actually quite common to suffer from fatigue, headaches, sneezing fits and a runny nose while in the office. If you are in Tyler, Texas and are a constant allergy sufferer, there are a few jobs you know to stay away from.
- Working outside puts you in direct contact with molds and tree, grass and weed pollens.
- Spa workers. Those who work in this environment are exposed to fumes and sprays that can trigger an allergy attack. Perfumes, hairsprays, soaps and chemicals used in this type of work can also affect those who are sensitive to smells.
- Cleaning puts you at a high risk for exposure to indoor allergens such as dust and mold. Housekeepers can also be tasked with cleaning rooms where pets have been, which can add additional allergens.
- Construction work. Working in building and demolition puts you in direct contact with many types of dust and irritants.
While the above jobs seem like a ridiculous career choice for someone with severe environmental allergies, many people don’t assign the same level of risk to an office job. But working in an office building in Tyler may not be as safe as you would think.
An office building is a breeding ground for mold, dust and irritants. The toxins secreted by the mold is what causes allergic reactions. Symptoms of a mold allergy are headaches, feelings of nausea and asthma complications. The most common type of mold found in an office building is stachybotrys, which is a black, sticky, slimy type of fungus. This type of mold requires water to grow, so it is often found around water pipes, in the walls around plumbing or a leaking roof.
Dust mites are usually found in warm, humid environments such as carpeting or upholstered furniture. The most common symptoms of a dust mite allergy are sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, red, itchy or watery eyes and wheezing. Central air, which is typically found in Texas office buildings, can cause allergy symptoms. If the filters are left unchanged, any dust will be recirculated back into the air.
Fragrance use, strong cleaning supplies and even heavily scented beauty products can lead to headaches, irritated eyes and breathing problems. Since these irritants often come from others around you, like coworkers and the cleaning staff, they are particularly hard to control. In order to combat this, many offices in Tyler are becoming “fragrance free.” This can be done by using unscented cleaning products and asking employees to refrain from using perfumes or colognes.
If you are experiencing these symptoms on a regular basis, do not just suffer from being allergic to work. Contact your Tyler allergist to set up an appointment. While at the allergy clinic your doctor will run a series of tests to determine the cause of your symptoms. They will then work with you to set up a personalized allergy treatment plan, which will typically consist of allergy drops or shots.