Panama City Reporter

• There are numerous allergies that can originate from indoor sources.
• Indoor allergens such as mold, dust, and pet dander can be common issues for allergy sufferers.
• An ENT specialist can provide treatment for individuals who may not be aware that they are struggling with allergies in their living space.

Year-round, indoor allergies can pose challenges, particularly in the winter, when you spend more time indoors. Dr. Matthew Blair of Gulf Coast Breathe Free said leaving your allergies untreated could lead to chronic infections.

"If you already have an anatomical problem, let's say that you have a deviated septum or some anatomic variation where you're already having narrowing in your sinuses or your nasal cavity. Just a little bit of irritation from an allergy, whether it's an allergy that's out there all year round or in certain season, is really going to affect your sudden nasal health," Dr. Blair told the Panama City Reporter. "You're going to have a lot of symptoms, and it can lead to chronic infections if you have chronic inflammatory disease of the sinuses from allergies. They can affect our sinuses so much that they won't function as they should."

Allergies stemming from indoor sources are activated by common allergens present in homes or other indoor settings, according to Very Well Health. Mold, dust mites, pet dander, and even cockroaches are among the typical culprits. Managing indoor allergies might prove more challenging than avoiding outdoor allergens, and their impact can be equally debilitating for patients.

To identify indoor allergies, WebMD suggests keeping track of when, where, and what you're doing when your symptoms worsen. Consider whether you were exposed to potential allergens. For instance, did your symptoms escalate following a basement flood, potentially leading to mold growth? Conversely, did your symptoms improve while you were on vacation? Providing this information to your doctor could assist in identifying your allergy triggers.

To diagnose allergies, doctors will review the patient's symptoms and medical history and then recommend either a blood test or a skin test, according to Web MD. For a skin test, the doctor will place a small amount of the allergen on the patient's skin, typically on the forearm or back. If the patient is allergic to that particular allergen, a small, itchy bump will appear.

Dr. Blair earned his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Miami, according to Gulf Coast Breathe Free's website. He then earned his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2010. Following this, he completed an internship and residency at McLaren Oakland Hospital in Michigan, with a specific focus on otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery. He achieved board certification in 2015.