It’s no surprise that the world outside your home is full of allergens. In springtime especially, pollen from hundreds of species of trees, grasses, and flowers, flood the air we breathe. But what many people fail to realize is that while pollen exclusively originates from the air outside, there is a whole slew of allergens that come from inside your home.
Common Indoor Allergens
- Dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic arthropods that are not visible to the naked eye. They themselves are allergenic, making them one of the most common triggers for allergy as well as asthma symptoms.
These tiny bugs are prevalent in homes because they feed on dead skin cells from our pet’s bodies as well as our own. While dust mites can be found anywhere in a home, they prefer to live in areas with the highest concentration of shed skin cells such as beds, sofas, and carpeting.
Unlike other allergy triggers, dust mites can cause an eczema-like reaction on the skin in addition to your traditional allergy symptoms, such as congestion, sneezing, and a runny nose.
- Pet Dander. All of us love our soft furry friends. However, just like humans, our pets shed their hair and skin cells. While you may not be allergic to the fur that your dog or cat is shedding, your friends and family might be. This can create a miserable environment for sensitive house guests.
Mold. Similar to how plants release pollen into the air outside your home, mold releases spores within it. Mold can cause the immune system to overreact, inducing similar symptoms as pollen or pet dander; however, mold can trigger more severe reactions like chest tightness and trouble breathing for some individuals.
Reducing Allergens In your Home
Fortunately, there are measures you can take to help keep the level of allergens in your homes air to a minimum. Here are a few proven methods you can implement to create a healthier indoor environment.
- Lower the humidity levels in your home. Mold and dust mites thrive in moisture-filled air. If your humidity levels are too high, it can create a breeding ground for allergens and air pollutants. The EPA recommends keeping your humidity levels between 30-50%. If your home has been fitted with a humidification system, you may want to lower the amount of moisture in the air.
- Keep Fabrics clean. As mentioned before, dust mites like to live in fabrics that trap dead skin cells. Washing your sheets and vacuuming your rugs and carpets can eliminate the dead cells that they depend on to live and breed.
- Inspect your ventilation system. A great way to ensure that your air is clean is to periodically check your home’s ventilation ducts and air filters for blockages or obstructions. A lack of proper airflow in and out of your home can cause airborne allergens to become trapped in your home.
Pro Home Allergen Testing
If you’ve tried everything in your power to control the allergens in your home and are still experiencing the symptoms, the best thing you can do is have a professional allergy test performed on your home.
Our home allergen tests can provide you with a detailed diagnostic report of exactly what allergens are polluting your home. After the testing is complete, and the results have come back from the lab, our expert team of air quality specialists will help you find the perfect solution that will eliminate any allergens in the air or on the surfaces in your home. For nearly 20 years, we have been helping residents of the Richmond and Virginia Beach areas breathe easier by identifying and eliminating indoor allergy triggers. Contact us today to schedule a professional home allergy test.
