Staying indoors when pollen levels are high won’t always save you from experiencing allergy symptoms like sinus pressure, congestion, and sneezing. Dust mites, mold, and pet dander can also cause allergy symptoms in your home. To improve your home’s air quality and lessen your symptoms indoors, here are five allergens in your home to guard against.
Mold
Unfortunately, most mold experts believe that everyone has a small trace of mold in their home. However, if left unattended, mold can quickly spread through the house and cause you to get sick.
Watch out for water stains, leaking appliances, cracking walls, and musty smells. Regularly cleaning your home and checking in damp spaces will help you keep mold growth under control.
Pollen
Pollen is the cause of your trouble when you’re outdoors, but it doesn’t stop there. Pollen can make its way into your home through air, clothing, shoes, and hair. To keep pollen outside, change your clothing and shoes immediately upon arriving home.
If you have pets, wipe down their paws and fur to ensure they don’t track pollen into the house. Keeping your doors and window shut will also help keep the pollen count down. However, regularly cleaning your home and using HEPA air filters is one the best ways to guard your home against pollen and other allergens.
Dust Mites
Thriving in warm, moist climates, these microscopic critters are one of the common reasons your allergy or asthma symptoms flair up. These insect-like pests live in your home’s bedding, mattresses, furniture, and carpets.
They feed on dead skin cells and are relatively harmless, but their body segments and fecal pellets can trigger allergic reactions. To get rid of dust mites, you should purchase allergen-proof bedding and pillowcases. You should also wash your linens every week if possible.
Pet Dander
If you have a pet and you feel your allergy symptoms worsening, it could be because you’re reacting to their dander. Pet dander can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms in those with sensitivities. We recommend getting a hypoallergenic pet like a turtle, fish, or guinea pig.
However, if you love dogs and cats, there are a few ways you can live comfortably with your four-legged friend:
- Keep all surfaces clean, including the floors and your pet’s bed
- Make furniture off-limits to your pet
- Choose a hypoallergenic dog or cat
Cockroaches
Believe it or not, cockroaches can flair up your allergy symptoms. That’s because they carry a protein in their saliva, feces, and body parts that can trigger asthma and allergies. You can prevent cockroach exposure by covering all trash cans, sweeping food and crumbs off the floor, and checking for any cracks in the walls or leaking pipes.
We know there are allergens in Houston year-round. From cedar elm pollen to the infamous ragweed season, we can help find the proper treatment to beat indoor and outdoor allergies. Allergy & ENT is an allergy clinic in Houston, and we strive to ensure our patients are healthy and taking proper precautions. For more information or proper diagnosis and treatment, contact us today! We’re always happy to take in new patients at all our locations.
