Many of us associate allergy symptoms with the outdoors, thinking mainly of hay fever and other pollen-related irritants. We often forget about indoor allergy triggers. Have you ever noticed your allergy symptoms kicking into high gear when you’re at home? This may be due to a number of common allergens.
Indoor Allergy Triggers
- Pollen – Pollen doesn’t stay outdoors, unfortunately. It’s easily tracked inside on shoes, hair and clothes. And Minnesota Public Radio News predicts that continued global warming will cause ragweed and other allergenic weeds to flourish, leading to longer allergy seasons. Consider showering and changing clothes immediately after coming inside.
- Mold – To help rid your home of mold, reduce humidity. If you still use window A/C units, switching to central air will control indoor humidity better. Ideally, add whole-home humidity control to your HVAC system to easily keep humidity under 50 percent.
- Chemical residue – Household cleansers, adhesives, remodeling products and even furniture release microscopic, unhealthy allergens. These settle on surfaces along with dust and circulate in the air. Choosing products low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can limit indoor air pollution, and diligent vacuuming limits dust.You may need to go further, however. The smaller the particle, the harder it is to eliminate from your indoor environment and the easier it gets into your lungs. Removing the smallest particles may require air purification or enhanced air filtration. Your HVAC contractor can recommend options for your Twin Cities home.
- Pet dander – Even short-haired pets can spark allergic reactions. It’s not the fur, but the animal saliva plus dust and other allergens picked up by fur. Any pet can spread or create indoor allergens. Wash your pets often and keep them out of bedrooms to help control allergy symptoms. Vacuum carpets and furniture often since dander settles there.
- Dust mites – Fight them with dehumidification and cleaning, as advised for mold and dander. Think about using minimalist, smooth-surface furniture and using blinds instead of curtains. Purchase hypoallergenic covers for pillows and mattresses and wash bedding weekly in hot water.
For home air quality testing, as well as professional help eliminating indoor allergy triggers, contact the home comfort experts at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about indoor allergy triggers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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