As the fall season kicks into gear, so does allergy season. While spring allergies are caused mostly by tree pollen, fall allergies on the other hand are caused predominantly by weeds, particularly ragweed. Other common allergy triggers during fall (similar to those in spring) include pollen, dust mites, mold, mildew, and pet dander. These allergens can wreak havoc on your body causing symptoms like sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, and headaches to name a few.
Although you may not be able to avoid the allergens outdoors, there are things you can do inside your home that can help you better manage your allergies. Here are five of the top ways you can combat fall allergies in your home:
To help remove allergens that sneak inside on the daily, thoroughly vacuum a few times a week. Remember to wear a mask while doing housework as well to help prevent inhalation of the allergens you are cleaning. Clean all surfaces throughout your home weekly. It is amazing how much dust can accumulate in a few days. Use a rag and ditch the fluffy dusters that have the tendency to cause all the allergens to circulate back into the air. To help prevent mold and mildew in the wetter areas of your home like your bathroom and kitchen use humidity monitors to keep an eye on your levels. When humidity increases so do the likelihood of mold and mildew growth. Relative humidity levels around 40% are best for indoors. Using a whole-house dehumidifier or portable dehumidifiers in wetter areas in the home will help combat this. If you have a pet, be sure to wash them often and keep them out of your bed if you suffer from allergies. Doing the other tips above like vacuuming and cleaning surfaces often will also help with the pet hair and dander that accumulates during the week. Having an efficient HVAC system is one of the best ways to battle seasonal allergies. Your air conditioning system plays a bigger role than many think in helping to reduce allergens inside the home. Your air conditioner can help keep indoor humidity in check and improve your air quality. Make sure you are replacing your indoor air filters as recommended (typically between 1-3 months) to prevent the spread of allergens and other pollutants throughout your home.
It is time to take back fall and start enjoying it instead of sneezing your way through the season. Let the expert technicians at Mason Air Conditioning & Heating help with a FREE consultation of your current HVAC system. To schedule a complimentary estimate today call 727-433-9853 or fill out our contact form today to help get rid of allergens in your home today.