Seasonal allergies can make life difficult in spring, summer, and autumn, but outdoor allergens aren’t the only things that can make people feel sick and miserable.
No matter what triggers your allergy symptoms, it’s important to take steps at home to prevent your allergies from becoming worse.
Image credit: Michelle Meiklejohn | FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Here is a list of six indoor sources of allergens that are just as bad as anything the outdoors can hand you:
Mold
Mold can grow wherever excess humidity and poor ventilation meet. Condensation from some HVAC systems can encourage mold growth, particularly in summer.
Mold can also be found in dark and damp areas of basements and closets. When mold spores get into the air, they can cause anything from mild to severe respiratory reactions.
Make sure your bathroom is well ventilated and that you fix any leaks in your faucets in the kitchen and bathroom.
Dust mites
Dust mites are a necessary evil. They thrive on dust and accumulated dead skin. Unfortunately, their feces are also the number one trigger for indoor allergy and asthma symptoms.
Use washable allergy covers on bedding, and vacuum floors regularly to keep their numbers down.
Curtains, carpets, and upholstery
While fabrics don’t generate allergens of their own, they do have a nasty tendency to trap and hold them. Opening or closing a curtain, relaxing on a couch, or sitting on the floor can expose you to whatever pollen, mold spores, dust, pet dander, or other allergens have settled there.
Replace soft furnishings with wood or other solid, easy-to-clean materials, or be sure to regularly wash curtains and use a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter.
Mice and rats
Mice and rats are often an unseen source of allergens. Dander from their coats and dust from dried urine or feces can easily make its way into the air, triggering respiratory allergies.
Keep an eye out for telltale sign of a rodent infestation, and use traps and repellents where necessary. Call in a professional to help get rid of pest problems to prevent further damage.
Pets
Pet dander is a very common source of allergens and tends to worsen when animals shed. The good news is that you don’t need to get rid of your pets. Regular bathing can help minimize allergens.
If possible, keep pets off of furniture and out of bedrooms to eliminate the allergens they drag in from outside.
Cockroaches
Proteins found in cockroach feces can trigger allergic reactions. If you see droppings or other signs of a cockroach infestation, whether or not you find actual roaches, it’s a good idea to call an exterminator or treat your home for an infestation.
It’s no secret that indoor air is typically more polluted than outdoor air, but that doesn’t mean you should have to cope with indoor allergies. By eliminating or minimizing these sources of allergens, you can help keep your home healthy and comfortable.
Informational credit to ICE Pest Control and Wildlife Removal.
Anita Ginsburg
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