Everything You Need to Know About Indoor Allergens
“Indoor allergens are lurking all over your home and often go unnoticed, which can cause irritation for the 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies.”
“Indoor allergens are lurking all over your home and often go unnoticed, which can cause irritation for the 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies.”
Summary:
- Allergens lurk indoors all year, not just seasonally
- The biggest source of indoor allergens are pet dander and dust mites
- There are many steps one can take to manage indoor allergens
If you’re an allergy sufferer, fall and spring bring the onset of those all too familiar symptoms: runny nose, itchy eyes, and congestion. Don’t be fooled, it’s not just the spring blooms or fall ragweed causing irritation. Indoor allergens are lurking all over your home all year and often go unnoticed, which can cause problems for the 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies.
Identifying the Types of Indoor Allergens
One of the top sources of indoor allergens is pet dander that sheds from our furry friends, mainly dogs and cats. Other sources of indoor allergens include dust mites that can build up on surfaces, pollen that gets swept in from outside and mold that can build up in damp areas like bathrooms and the kitchen.
Controlling Indoor Allergies
When it comes to managing indoor allergies, having a plan of attack is vital. One of the most important steps to take is controlling dust mites. These little creatures linger everywhere, so be sure to keep surfaces and floors clear and uncluttered, avoid wall-to-wall carpet, choose washable rugs and curtains, and be sure to avoid heavy drapes or overstuffed fabric.
Keeping Pet Dander at Bay
Vacuuming frequently is also important for managing the amount of indoor allergens in your home. With pets, vacuuming 1-2 times a week is essential for controlling the spread of their dander. Other ways to help prevent dander buildup include washing and changing their bedding and toys, closing doors to bedrooms when not home, and regularly bathing and grooming your pet.
Incorporating Allergen-Barrier Bedding
Using allergen-barrier bedding can be instrumental in helping alleviate indoor allergies since they work to block out dust mites, bed bugs and pet dander from getting trapped in your mattress and pillows. AllerEase pillow and mattress protectors are a smart choice given its tightly woven fabric blocks 99.9% of allergens, making it almost impossible for allergens to slip through and cause irritation. Washing your bedding in 120°F water or hotter is also key to keeping your sleeping space allergen-free.
Kicking Mold to the Curb
Reducing moisture in the bathroom, kitchen and other areas where water is present is essential to preventing mold spores. To avoid mold, fix all leaks and other causes of damp areas, don’t run showers for a long time before bathing, and use dehumidifiers. If you do see mold on a surface, throw on a high-quality mask and clean it immediately, and clean it regularly to keep it from returning.
Improving Indoor Air
Poor indoor air quality can also lead to worsened allergy symptoms. Consider investing in a high-grade air purifier that can help reduce the amount of airborne particles from your home’s indoor environment, ultimately increasing the overall air quality.
While they might not always be visible to the naked eye, indoor allergens are always lurking inside. Luckily, taking these preventative steps can reduce the indoor allergen triggers in your home to help you and your family breathe in a collective sigh of relief.
References:
Control Indoor Allergens to Improve Indoor Air Quality. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Allergy Facts and Figures. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.