According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, as many as 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year. Many allergy sufferers consider their homes a refuge away from the allergens that irritate them, but allergens can also be found in the home. Learn about common sources of indoor allergens and how to combat them in your home so it can be the restful sanctuary it was meant to be.
Common Places to Find Allergens in Your Home
Indoor allergy triggers include animal allergens such as pet dander, skin flakes, and urine; mold spores; dust mites; and cockroach particles. These allergens typically accumulate in household dust and make their homes in fabrics such as upholstery, curtains, bedding, and carpet around your home. When they are inhaled or make contact with the eyes, an allergic reaction occurs.
Some people may suffer symptoms that look and feel like allergies but without the actual immune inflammatory response; these symptoms can be triggered by strong smells from household cleaners, aerosol sprays, or just small, irritating particles in the air. Consult a doctor if you aren’t sure if your symptoms are related to indoor allergies.
Tips for Combating Indoor Allergen Exposure
If you or someone in your family suffers from allergies, keeping your home clean is key to combating indoor allergen exposure. Regular dusting and vacuuming, particularly with a vacuum with a HEPA filter, can help reduce allergens. For carpets, upholstered furniture, and other difficult to clean fabrics, use a cleaning product made to deactivate dust mite particles and pet dander trapped in the fabrics. Keep bathrooms well-ventilated and clean and disinfect them regularly to prevent mold growth. Finally, if you’re allergic to animals but can’t live without your pet, bathe them once a week to help reduce dander.
These four simple tips for combating indoor allergens will help you keep feeling like, “There’s no place like home!” If you’re still struggling with indoor allergens or just want to breathe more easily, ask Precision Temperature about our air filters and scrubbers – the same ones trusted by NASA on the Space Shuttle! Give us a call at (619) 588-5321.
