As temperatures drop and we spend more time indoors, hay fever and pollen allergies tend to fade, while indoor allergies take center stage. Don’t let allergies bring down your cozy winter season; instead, you can take actions now that will keep your home sniffle-free.
What Are Allergens?
What you need to manage—or eliminate entirely from your home—are particles known as allergens. Allergens are the substances that are known to trigger allergy symptoms. Common allergens are pollen, animal dander, mold and dust.
When an allergen enters your body, and you have a sensitivity, or allergy, to that allergen, your immune system launches an all-out attack against the foreign invader, mistaking it for a virus or other threat. The immune system releases a chemical called histamine to fight the invader and flush it out of your body. Histamines cause inflammation and mucus production, leading to itchy eyes and a runny nose, as well as excessive sneezing.
What Allergens Are in My Home?
The most common allergens you can find inside your home in the winter are dust, mold and pet dander, if you have a pet. Since allergens are small particles, they can easily hide and build up in fibrous materials, such as upholstery, linens, carpets and even clothing. Coming into contact with these substances, either by touching them or inhaling them, will cause an allergic reaction.
How Can I Eliminate Allergens in My Home?
Midwinter is the perfect opportunity to deep clean your home for allergens, now that the busy holiday season has passed and you’ll be spending more time at home. Here are some tips on where to start:
- Invest in a HEPA filter. HEPA air filters excel at removing small particles from the air circulating in your home. This means they can easily catch dust and pet dander particles, sending clean, allergen-free air out into the house.
- Deep-clean all linens. Pillows, pillowcases, mattresses, blankets and quilts should be sent through the wash regularly in water heated to at least 130°. You can also encase pillows, mattresses and box springs in dust mite-proof covers to keep dust from accumulating in the fibers of your bedding.
- Clean the flooring. Wash the rugs and shampoo the carpets. Mop and sanitize the hardwood floors. You might even consider removing carpeting from your home in favor of hardwood flooring, which won’t catch and hold allergen particles like carpet will.
- Wash the windows. Mold loves moisture, meaning that the condensation that settles on your windows creates prime breeding grounds for mold spores. Now is the perfect time to wash the windowpanes and windowsills. You might also consider double-paned windows, especially if you live in a cold climate.
- Deep-clean the upholstery. Vacuum and scrub upholstered furniture, such as couches and chairs. The type of cleaner or steamer you use may vary based on your couch, so check what kind of material your furniture is made of.
- Check the fridge for mold. Old food and food spills can cause mold growth. Wipe up excessive moisture within the fridge and remove old food.
- Clean the bathroom. The humid bathroom is the perfect place for mold. Clean the toilet, sink and tub and check for leaks. Clean the floors around the plumbing with a strong cleaner or baking soda.
- Check ventilation. Vents above the stove and in the bathroom can remove moisture, but they can clog if they’re not cleaned for a while. Check them for clogged ducts and replace the filters if necessary.
It’s also a good idea to have allergy medications on hand for when allergy symptoms flare up. Antihistamines, decongestants and mild pain relievers are all effective at managing symptoms or decreasing the body’s reaction to allergens. If you have any more questions about allergens or allergy management, chat with our skilled allergy team at Spartanburg-Greer ENT & Allergy. Call today to learn more.