10 Tips To Get Ahead Of Spring Allergies.

 

 

Seasonal allergies

 

The start of allergy season coincides with the first spring blossoms, and it lasts through the early summer and fall as pollen counts from many plants blows with the breeze. When you have allergies, it doesn’t take much to set off a sneezing fit, watery eyes, or even breathing difficulties, but you may lessen the suffering by making your house a sanctuary free of these bothersome particles.

 

If you’re anything like the small majority of Americans, you might have mild breathing problems from seasonal allergies, which could get worse as the seasons change. With the arrival of spring, trees and flowers that are in bloom will create a ton of extra pollen, which could make the situation worse.

 

For eliminating typical allergy triggers including dust mites, pollen count, pet dander, and mold spores, homeowners have a variety of solutions. While some of these tasks can be completed by a homeowner in a matter of minutes, others call for improving the house’s mechanical components and are best left to experts. Regardless of the season, they will all assist your entire family to breathe easier, which is what they all have in common.

 

Whether you are aware of it or not, your house and air conditioning can be adding to the problem. Allergens and other things that make it difficult to breathe can collect in homes. Continue reading for ten simple methods to improve your home’s air quality and get more relief from allergic reactions this season.

 

 

1.       Adequately Ventilate Your Home

 

Poor ventilation, especially in parts of the home that generate moisture, can lead to mold growth problems. Molds can release toxic spores into your interior environment, which, even if they don’t make it harder for you to breathe (like they do most people), may be poisoning you in other ways.

 

Because of this, make sure that your kitchen and bathroom are adequately ventilated so they can discharge any moisture that accumulates during cooking spring cleaning, washing dishes, or showering.

 

To adequately ventilate your home, you can:

 

• Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate.

• Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove excess moisture and odors.

• Install a ventilation system that brings in the fresh air and removes stale air.

• Regularly change air filters in your HVAC system to ensure proper airflow and filtration.

 

 

2.       Repair any Leaks

 

Similar to leaky windows, a small roof leak, or an inadequately sealed basement, these factors can contribute to mold growth inside walls and ceilings. Even if you can’t see the mold, it may still be generating spores that have a negative impact on the quality of the air within your home.

 

Seal any gaps in the walls or floors. If you can see light coming through a crack, use caulk to seal it up.

 

Use weather stripping on doors and windows that allow air to leak out of your home (or in from outside).

 

Use plastic sheeting to seal gaps around plumbing, vents and electrical outlets. These can be particularly hard to find if they’re hidden behind wallpapers or other decorations so be sure to check them all carefully!

 

 

3.       Weatherize

 

If your windows fog up in the winter, your home could use some weatherization. Poorly insulated dwellings can produce moisture through condensation that can foster the growth of mold, just as the leaks above that can allow water to enter.

 

 

4. Change Your Bedding

 

Microscopic dust mites (which don’t eat dust by the way, they eat dead skin cells), could be living and multiplying and (sorry) producing waste material in your bedding. Change and wash your bedding frequently to remove this invisible pollutant from your indoor environment.

 

 

5. Maintain Your Vacuum

 

Maintain the functionality of your vacuum cleaner by replacing the bags and filters as needed so that it can remove the dust and other debris from your floors as intended.

 

 

6. Electrostatic Dusting

 

In order to prevent dusting from just redistributing dirt from your home’s flat surfaces back into the air you breathe, electrostatic dusters are a good investment.

 

 

7. Keep Your Pets Healthy

 

People aren’t allergic to cats and dogs; they’re allergic to the dander that cats and dogs shed. Keep in mind that a poorly fed, unhealthy pet sheds much more animal dander, potentially compromising your air quality even further.

 

 

8. Maximize Your Plant Presence

 

Like you, plants breathe, and they also filter the air we breathe and release it into the environment. The more plants you have in the home, the cleaner your air in the home.

 

Adding plants to your space can help purify the air, reduce stress, and make you feel happier. They’re also good for the environment because they take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis.

 

The best plants to add to your home are ones that are easy to maintain and don’t need a lot of care–try green ferns or peace lilies for starters!

 

 

9. Clean Your Heater/Air Conditioner/Swamp Cooler & Replace Filters

 

Mold, dirt, and other foreign bodies can accumulate inside the filters and interior bodies of your AC unit, your furnace, and (especially) your swamp cooler or humidifier. Make sure to stay on top of changing filters and your recommended cleaning schedule. Your units will last longer, and you’ll have better air to breathe as a side benefit.

 

If you do decide to hire someone to clean them for you, make sure they follow these guidelines:

 

Cleaning should be done at least once every two years–more often if there are pets in the home or if occupants suffer from allergies or asthma (or both).

 

The equipment used should be EPA-approved vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters (these trap 99% of dust particles) and blowers capable of removing moisture from the system during each cleaning process so no mold grows inside your ductwork over time; this also helps prevent clogs from developing due to trapped moisture within walls’ insulation materials.”

 

 

10. Consider an Air Purifier with Your Humidifier

 

Lastly, if the following suggestions are impractical or just not enough to get you the indoor air in quality you want or need, consider purchasing an air purifier in addition to a humidifier, which will keep the balance of moisture just right inside the home. Keep in mind though, the best air purifier only works as well and as long as it is supposed to, when it’s properly maintained.

 

 

Allergy Symptoms Relief

 

Here are some remedies that can reduce your histamine response once you have been exposed to allergens:

 

AVOID DIETARY TRIGGERS. Dietary triggers such as dairy, gluten, sugar, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives all can lead to increased inflammation in the nasal and respiratory pathways causing worse allergy symptoms.

 

SIP SOME APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. Apple cider vinegar helps break up mucus in the body, letting you breathe again. Try diluting 1 to 2 tablespoons in a glass of water or with lemon juice.

 

EAT SOME PROBIOTICS. Although mostly recognized for their use in balancing our gut bacteria, probiotics have been shown to support the immune system, which is also responsible for our allergic response to many triggers.

 

FLUSH YOUR NOSE. Nasal irrigation is the draining of saline from one nostril through another in order to flush out mucus. You can use nasal sprays either, bulb syringes, or Neti pots, which look like small teapots.

 

TAKE AN ANTIHISTAMINE. Antihistamines are medications that block the effects of histamine, a substance produced by the body in response to an allergen. They can help relieve symptoms like sneezing, itching, and runny nose.

 

USE NASAL SPRAYS. Nasal sprays can help reduce inflammation in the nasal passages, which can help alleviate symptoms like congestion and runny nose. There are both over-the-counter and prescription nasal sprays available.

 

AVOID ALLERGENS. If you know what triggers your allergies, try to avoid those allergens as much as possible. For example, if you’re allergic to pollen, try to stay indoors on high-pollen days or wear a mask when you go outside.

 

 

I hope these tips help keep your home free of allergens. Remember to always talk to your doctor before starting any new allergy treatments or medications. If you have any other ideas, please share them with us!