You have nasal allergy or allergic rhinitis when your body overreacts to substances that are usually not harmful for most people. Such substances are called allergens.

The allergens themselves are not harmful to your body. This is evident in the fact that only a few people have bodies that treat these substances as threatening. What causes your symptoms is your body's allergic reaction to these substances. Once the allergen enters your system, your immune system will trigger the release of an antibody called IgE or immunoglobulin E, which is designed to fight off, isolate and eliminate the allergen. Once this antibody is released into the bloodstream, it will attach itself on the cells lining your nasal passages where it will release a chemical called antihistamine. This is what causes the familiar nasal allergy symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, and sneezing. In short, your symptoms are just the collateral damage of your body's effort to keep these otherwise neutral substances from harming your body.

Common Allergens and Ways to Prevent Them from Getting You Sick

Not all substances may be treated by your body as allergens. There are just a few things that may raise the red flags as they enter your body. These include the following:

Seasonal allergens like pollen from weeds, trees and grass, as well as the periodical release of pollen by any of these things are often the culprit why there are high cases of nasal allergens at certain times of the year. When these pollens get into your nose, your body may react adversely. Weeds and grass are known to release their pollens during summer season. Ragweed, another type of weed infamous for causing allergic reactions to flare-up, usually releases its pollen during fall.

The best thing you can do to keep seasonal allergens from making you sick is to control your environment during high pollen count seasons. Keep track of the time when pollen count is high in your area and prevent these from getting indoors. Keep your doors and windows closed and check your indoor ventilation. Also, pass up on outdoor activities whenever possible.

Mold – Be afraid of your own home, if you have nasal allergies or other forms of allergy. For in there, you will find a variety of molds that are enough for you to sneeze all year round. Mold is a type of fungi that can grow in damp, and sometimes, dark areas. Your basement is an ideal place to grow mold as well as your shower curtains, garage, kitchen cabinets, even on your fruit basket. Always keep these places cleaned, well-lighted and dry.

Animal dander – The urine, saliva and skin of animals have proteins that may be treated by your body as allergens. If you don’t have a pet around the house, there is no need to worry. But if you do, maybe it's time to take the pet out, for good.

Dust and dust mites – Carpets that are not vacuumed regularly and mattresses, comforters and curtains that are not washed have in them plenty of dust and dust mites that may irritate your body. Keep your upholstery, carpeting and bedding clean; wash and replace them regularly.