Spring breezes are welcoming and everyone looks forward to the warmer weather. But along with it, harmful contaminants can also be floating through the air. Are you or a family member prone to suffering from allergies? If so, you may dread the change in seasons. Fortunately, with a few techniques and perhaps some help from your doctor, you can find relief. Here are just a few things that you can incorporate into your lifestyle this spring and summer when allergy triggers are out in full force.
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Do you have allergies or something else?
How do you know if you simply have a cold or if you’re having an allergic response to stimuli? Allergy triggers, such as pollen exposure, create some specific symptoms including:
- Red, itchy, watery eyes
- Sneezing and throat irritation
- Nasal congestion and runny nose
- Fatigue and headache
- Difficulty breathing in severe cases
It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis from your doctor. They’ll perform specific testing to confirm if you have allergies, and what triggers them. They may recommend avoiding exposure to certain stimuli as well as an antihistamine, corticosteroid, or other medication to help control some of the symptoms.
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Deep clean your carpets
One way to reduce your exposure to dust and contaminants is to deep clean your carpets. They hold an array of dirt and bacteria that can trigger a severe allergic response in sensitive people. This is especially true if you’re moving into a new apartment or home where you’re unsure if the previous owner had pet spills that weren’t cleaned and extracted properly. One tip would be to have a complete pest inspection in your home. Underlying infestations from fleas, bedbugs or other biting insects can trigger skin allergies. Qualified pest control in VA and other areas focuses on treating the problem and future prevention. Choosing a company who uses a natural cleaning solution is the best way to ensure that the process will produce effective, harmless results.
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Improve air quality in your home
When the plants and flowering trees start to produce flowers, many allergy sufferers retreat indoors. When the wind kicks in, it can make pollen scatter. Small particles can easily reach the inside of your house when windows and doors open. This is why sometimes the air quality in your home can be affected. Other allergens, including dust, can also create an allergic response. Spring allergies are some of the worst because if your furnace has been off for a few weeks or months and then you start your air conditioner, all of the old dust, as well as new dust particles, can quickly circulate in the air. An air filter is one way to help boost air quality and purify the air that you breathe. Air filters range from a cheap disposable filter that needs to be replaced every few months to a permanent, reusable electrostatic filter that helps trap more air particles and reduces the amount of dust and debris that gets into the air. Air purifiers also help remove allergens in the air and are a welcoming addition not just in spring, but year round.
Clean your air ducts
The inside of your air ducts sees a lot of debris flow through it. It pulls air from the cold air return and then it flows through the furnace. Whether your central air conditioning unit is on or the furnace is heating the air, it all passes through the same way. During this process, it can pick up things like pet dander, bugs, mouse droppings, pollen and dust and pull it through the air ducts. These things can get trapped inside and lead to allergy triggers such as mould growth, and dust build-up. That’s why it’s important to have a professional come out and clean and disinfect your air ducts. They use a specialised vacuum that sucks out all of the debris and extracts it safely from your home. From there, the ducts are cleaned, sanitised and deodorised. The result is a fresh smelling home and fewer particles in the air.
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Consider weatherproofing
You may not be thinking about weatherproofing your home in spring, but now is the best time to make sure everything is airtight. This starts with insulating your home properly. Fill any gaps with spray foam insulation and make sure you have windows and doors that fit tightly and properly. If not, apply weather stripping. The result will help to control airflow intake that could contain pollen or other polluted materials that could trigger hay fever or an asthma attack.
Getting a grip on your allergies starts with breathing in clean air. Do your part to make your home a safe haven for your health this spring and summer.
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