While most people are worried about the allergies outside their door, indoor air quality can be 5 times worse than the outside. Fortunately, you can combat indoor allergies by learning how to purify the air in your home and keep your allergies under control.
Here are some tips to provide treatment and relief from the most common causes of indoor allergies that can be found insider your home.
Pet Dander
Pet dander is made of small flakes of skin combined with urine, saliva, and other small particles. A common misconception is that being allergic to pets often means you’re allergic to pet fur. In reality, you probably have an allergy to their dander.
How to Prevent Pet Dander
Wash your pet once or twice a week if possible. Also, install a HEPA filter in a pet free room to get rid of impurities in the air and improve health conditions. Most of all, keep pets out of places you spend the most time. Keep animals out of the bedroom so you can breathe clearly at night.
Black Mold
Stachybotrys, better known as black mold, is a huge cause of allergic reaction. You will find black mold in damp and dark places, as it develops due to leftover moisture.
How to Prevent Black Mold
Identify the source of the stachybotrys. If you don’t know where it’s coming from, then your health will keep being affected. This means looking at any water sources, leaking areas, and places where moisture may congregate.To remove the mold, take a cup of bleach, mix it with a cup of water, and apply to the spots to eradicate the allergens. Clean until there are no discolorations present on the surface.
Dust Mites
You may have a feather pillow or other bedding which could unintentionally irritate allergy symptoms. This is due to dust mites that can embed themselves in the pillows and act as allergy triggers when you sleep.
How to Prevent Dust Mites
Get a dust mite encasement that will keep your pillow or bed away from more mites.
Cockroaches and Mice
1 in every 5 people have an indoor allergy to cockroaches or mice. Certain proteins are contained in the droppings of mice and cockroaches that can flare up allergy symptoms.
How to Prevent Pests
Fix any cracks where mice and cockroaches can get in. Patching cracks prevents pests from getting in and causing those allergies. Clean your home, apartment, or building thoroughly once the cracks are patched. While you have eliminated the cause, the actual allergens produced from these pests may still linger, which could still produce symptoms.
Secondhand Smoke
While not a commonly thought of allergy, secondhand smoke from cigarettes can exacerbate allergies in asthmatics and induce an asthma attack.
How to Prevent Secondhand Smoke
Eliminate smoking to improve overall medical health. If you have to smoke, smoke outside of the home or in an isolated and non-ventilated area to improve the allergy conditions in the home.
Dust
Skin flakes, pollution, and other small detritus make up dust. These microscopic particles can make their way up your nasal passages and cause a serious allergy reaction.
How to Prevent Dust
Schedule an indoor air quality improvement session to examine the air quality of your home or office.Also, regular dustings can get rid of common household dust. If possible, vacuum the dustiest areas to contain the particles so you can get rid of them outside the home.
Health Note
If your symptoms of indoor allergies have not improved after employing these and you are still having frequent medical problems with allergens, consider the following.
- Visit an allergist to find out what allergen you need to eliminate
- Seek out experts for help regarding severe asthma
- Vary up medications to find the right drug to attack your allergies
Upgrade Your Indoor Air Quality With Stan’s AC
Do you live in Austin and want to keep your indoor air quality as best as it can be? For the best indoor air quality services in Austin, contact Stan’s!