Most of us have very challenging lives – both at home and at work. There could be nothing worse than fighting an allergy at work, especially while you are working on an important assignment or trying to dodge a deadline for the work. While allergies are mostly seasonal and play havoc with our bodies due to a weak immune system, some of these allergies can be triggered at work itself. This could be due to certain chemicals like the printer ink cartridge or the toner in the copy machine or perhaps some of the chemicals used in your factory or work place. There is no denying the fact that there are many products at workplace that might cause allergic reactions which not only cut out productivity but can also be harmful for us in the long run.
High Risk Jobs For Allergies
1. Outdoor Work
Most seasonal allergies are nothing but our body’s abnormal reaction to a normally harmless substance called pollen. Pollen is usually found floating near parks and plants, and those of us working outdoors are more at risk to be exposed to the pollen that may trigger an allergy. Not everyone who gets in contact with pollen would go down with some allergy, but pollen-induced allergy is especially hard on people who work directly with and around trees and grasses. Pollen are usually prevalent in spring or when seasonal changes occur. Prevention is better than cure for all pollen-induced allergies, as most medications are able to only mask the symptoms at best. The best and the easiest way for outdoor worker is to wear a mask, and gloves while working and then change the work clothes soon after, so that allergens get no time to get activated in the body.
2. Housekeeping/ Cleaning
If you are working at a cleaning agency or as a housekeeper, you are again at a higher risk of being affected by allergies at work than other people. Pollen becomes more potent when it combines with dust and mold in the air conditioner ducts or upholstery and rugs. It is therefore very essential for people working in such surroundings to always wear a mask and gloves at all times. Using a damp cloth to clean furniture is advised as it doesn’t allow the free flow of pollen in the air. A well-ventilated room is also advised before staring any mode of cleaning as pollen gets diluted in the fresh air.
3. Florists/ Gardeners
If you are working with flowers as a gardener or even as a florist, you are again one of those prime candidates to possibly attain some sort of pollen induced allergy, at some point or the other. Please note that Pollen is less agitated when it’s cool or cloudy than when it’s bright and sunny. Even if you do not have a history of any allergy, it’s best advised to use gloves and masks at all times especially in spring and the changing seasons, when the pollen count is quite high.
4. Veterinarians
Veterinarians are also at a high risk for being affected by some sort of a pollen-induced allergy at work simply because pollen grains get trapped when they come in contact with animal fur and along with the dust they can cause havoc not only to the doctor but to also the fellow nurses and helpers. If your clinic has a carpet floor, is advised that floors should be de-carpeted and cleaned thoroughly each day, especially during spring, when the pollen count is very high.
5. Construction Industry
Construction industry workers and associated people like architects and designers, are also at high risk of being affected than others, simply because pollen and dust together make a very potent combination which can infect our immune system in a dangerous way. Although older buildings being reconstructed or modified may contain more dust and mold than new ones, it is advised to always maintain a dust-free environment as far as possible.
6: Office Workers
Sitting in a small office indoors may sound like a safe bet in the pollen season but even staying indoors offers no guarantee against the deadly pollen-induced allergies. If not the pollen, office goers can get allergies induced by ink cartridges, printer toners and even by using computer keyboards and the mouse. The use of compressed air is suggested to clean computer keyboards and vents each day in addition to using a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner to clean the office and surroundings..
Some useful tips to prevent allergies
Allergies are very common, as each one of us has suffered some allergy in one form or the other. It’s true that sometimes allergies can be rather unavoidable but you would be amused to know how bringing some small changes in your daily lives can cut out the risk of allergies to a great extent.
1. Changing Air Filters on Schedule
If you are working in an office or a home office, make sure that air filters are changed at least once every three months. This would immensely help the internal quality of air helping not only in avoiding allergies but also soothing for those suffering from asthma.
2. Regular Dusting and Vacuum
Pollen and other allergy inducing particles have the ability to enter our homes and offices in a number of ways like shoes or even on our outerwear such as jackets and sweaters. Most of these allergens become difficult to detect and become increasingly potent when they get trapped in the fibers of carpets. It is suggested that regular vacuum cleaning of the carpets and rugs be conducted each day in order to limit the allergies.
3. Investing In An Indoor Air Purification System
Investing in a portable air purification system can go a long way in helping you eliminate some of the possible causes of allergies. Portable air purifiers are widely available in retail stores and come in various sizes. It is suggested that one uses a purification unit with a HEPA filtration system as the HEPA filtration system has by far been the most successful in eliminating all allergens and bringing about a clean allergen-free environment.
4. Keeping Indoor Pollen Count Low
Potted plants have been found to help improve air quality and remove allergens from the air. Keeping potted plants near your office area not only increases the beauty of the office but also helps reduce pollen, thereby, eliminating allergy.
5. Replace Carpeting
Carpets and drapes collect far greater dust mites, pollen and other allergens that are not seen by the naked eye. Using regular vacuum cleaning is one of the most helpful things that check the growth of such allergens in the office vicinity. If regular vacuum cleaning is not available then consider laminated flooring or other hard materials instead of carpets and rugs.
