Cockroaches are enough to make your skin crawl but did you know they can make your skin itch too? When you think of the causes of allergies, you generally think of plants, pollen, dust, or animals…you don’t think about roaches. However, roaches can trigger allergies and asthma. Studies have shown that people with cockroach allergies develop acute asthma attacks. These attacks occur after inhaling cockroach allergens and can last for hours.
Cockroach allergies are a concern for people who live in inner cities, the South, or people of low socioeconomic status. However, this does not mean that it doesn’t affect people outside of those realms. Asthma is the most common chronic disease found in children. Experts believe that the reason for the increase among children is that they play indoors more than years past and are at increased exposure.
People who suffer from allergies have very sensitive immune systems that react when they inhale, swallow, or touch a certain substance. These substances are the allergens. Cockroach allergens are believed to come from feces, saliva, and the bodies of cockroaches. People with chronic bronchial asthma are most likely to be allergic to cockroaches. People who suffer from chronic stuffy nose, skin rash, constant sinus infection, repeat ear infection, and asthma are also likely to have cockroach allergies.
Asthma symptoms aren’t just a problem in certain seasons but can affect year round. This can make it difficult to determine that a cockroach allergy is the cause of the asthma. Symptoms of cockroach allergies can vary but may include itchy skin, scratchy throat or itchy eyes and nose. Allergy symptoms can become stronger, including severe, persistent asthma in some cases.
Roaches are often carried into homes through groceries, furniture, and luggage. Once they are in your home, they are very difficult to get out. Once a roach is seen, there is a chance that there could be at least 800 roaches hidden throughout your home. The first step is to get rid of cockroaches. Call a professional pest control company that knows how to get rid of cockroaches.
If you or someone in your home suffers from asthma or allergies make sure that they use an eco-friendly pest control instead of chemical agents that can be irritating to allergy sufferers. NorPest Green by Northwest Exterminating is an eco-friendly pest control solution that is effective, non-invasive and kind to your natural environment.