How Your Home Could Be Causing Your Allergies

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you may not realize that the triggers causing your symptoms are most likely inside your home. Visiting an allergist for testing is the surest way to learn exactly what you’re allergic to. Once it’s investigated, you might find out that it’s one – or more – common indoor triggers. Here are some of the most frequent offenders, along with ways to manage them and improve your air quality.

Dust

Common household dust contains numerous potential allergens such as food bits, insect waste, soil particles, paper and textile fibers, skin cells and hair. To limit the amount of dust in your indoor air, you should wet dust and vacuum frequently.

Pollen

Although pollen originates outdoors, it easily enters a home where it can trigger discomforting allergy symptoms. To keep it out of the air you breathe, shut the windows and doors closed and run the HVAC system whenever possible to help filter the air.

Pet Dander

Learning that you’re allergic to animal dander doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to rehome your dog or cat. Instead, you can take steps to reduce your exposure to dander in the air and on surfaces by bathing your pet more often. Don’t allow your pet on any upholstered furniture or in the bedrooms either.

Mold

Most surfaces in a home are covered with dormant mold spores, and it just takes the right amount of warmth and humidity to activate them and make life miserable for anyone who’s allergic. Good humidity control is essential to combat mold growth and maintain good air quality. If your A/C isn’t removing sufficient moisture, consider investing in a whole-home dehumidifier.

Dust Mites

Microscoptic relatives of the spider, dust mites flourish in bedding, soft furnishings and carpets, where there’s a ready supply of their food source – human and animal skin particles. To keep their numbers in check, wash, steam clean and vacuum these items frequently, and invest in dust mite-proof mattress and pillow protectors.

For more tips on decreasing allergies and boosting air quality in your Coastal Bend home, contact us at CCAC.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.