You felt great when you woke up – well rested and ready to start the day. You had a nutritious breakfast, a strong cup of coffee, and even enjoyed the cool breeze coming through your half-open car window as you drove to work. However, now that you are at work, you feel like you’ve just been hit with a terrible head cold: you’re all congested and your eyes are itchy, you have sinus pressure and your throat is scratchy. What’s going on?
Unfortunately, you may be suffering from allergies. Many people don’t realize that workspaces can be filled with all kinds of irritants that can trigger allergies, even allergies you didn’t know you had.
Two of the most common causes of allergies in the workplace are dust mites and mold. While you can definitely find these irritants at home, and they are primary causes of seasonal allergies, you are also more in control of taking care of these problems in your own house. At work, while you can keep your area clean, you may not have access to other places of concern, such as the ventilation system or even coworkers’ spaces.
Speaking of coworkers, another primary source of workplace allergies is the fragrance in beauty products. When you hear this, you may think about that one coworker who comes to the office smelling like she bathed in perfume. However the problem isn’t always that extreme; nowadays, fragrance is in everything from shampoo to body wash to cosmetics. And even if each item on its own may not bother you, the combination may. Now consider this and multiply the issue by how many coworkers you have. That is a huge combination of fragrances.
Also, how many of your coworkers have pets? Of course, unless it is “bring your pet to work day,” you don’t have to worry about Fido making you sneeze, right? Well, think again. People with highly sensitive allergies can be affected by the pet dander on coworkers’ clothes and personal belongings.
The good news is that if this sounds like you, now you can legitimately tell people that work is making you sick. But short of quitting your job, what can you do about it? Well, for short-term help, you can try over-the-counter medications. The problem is they only work temporarily, and the more your allergies flare up, the more fatigued you become. In turn, the more fatigued you are, the more your allergies flare up. It’s a vicious circle, and considering the amount of time you spend at work, you probably want relief that is a bit more permanent.
So when you are ready to say goodbye to workplace allergies, call CT Sinus Center at 860-BALLOON to book a consultation with one of our knowledgeable physicians. We will take the time to sit down with you and discuss your specific symptoms and treatment options, including Balloon Sinus Dilation, a non-invasive procedure available only at CT Sinus Center that will end your sinus suffering forever.
Come visit us so that the next time you have to call out sick, it’s because you are planning a fun day rather than experiencing terrible allergies. But don’t tell your employer we said that.