Gateway 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. Manish Khanna of Capitol Breathe Free said allergies cause an inflammatory process in your sinuses, which can lead to bacteria overgrowth and sinus infections.

"This inflammatory process clogs those little tiny openings, and when those openings are clogged, the mucus that the sinus lining is producing just hangs around in the nasal passages. That's a nice culture medium for bacteria to overgrow and lead to a sinus infection," Dr. Khanna told Gateway Reporter. "It can also lead to really thick post-nasal drip that patients feel and lead to a lot of throat clearing, and they start to feel that mucus in the back of their throat. So, that's a common symptom of patients who have allergies."

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. Khanna earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, according to Capitol Breathe Free's website. The following year, he completed his postgraduate research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In 2002, he received his medical degree from Albany Medical College. He then secured a place in the otolaryngology residency program at Albany Medical Center, where he completed his surgical internship and residency, holding the position of chief resident until 2007. Following the residency, Dr. Khanna obtained a fellowship in rhinology—advanced endoscopic sinus surgery—at the California Sinus Institute in Palo Alto, California. He concluded his fellowship in rhinology and achieved board certification in otolaryngology—head and neck surgery—in 2008 before returning to the D.C. metro area.