The Best Ways to Keep Seasonal Allergies at Bay

It’s important to keep seasonal allergies at bay especially for those who suffer from respiratory ailments of any kind, such as asthma, all year long.

Believe it or not, if you suffer from seasonal allergies, the inside of your home is often worse for you than the outdoors is. I mean, stop and think about it. You’ve got an array of allergy landmines positioned all through your home: fabric-covered furniture, throw pillows, carpeting, tightly-sealed windows, damp areas, bedding, air filters, personal hygiene and beauty products, etc.

Studies show indoor air pollution can be up to 10 times greater than outdoor air pollution. And here in the Chicago area, that’s really saying something! Since we spend more than 90 percent of our time indoors, indoor air pollution is a greater threat to our health than outdoor air pollution is.

And if you think indoor air quality isn’t an issue during the winter, think again. Since some deal with indoor winter allergies, too, mold, dust, pet dander and other allergens can actually make allergy symptoms worse in the winter. Those who suffer from respiratory ailments need to keep seasonal allergies at bay all year long.

If you’ll look for and find where allergens can and do accumulate in your home and clean them up, you’ll be a lot less miserable. (Gesundheit! And here’s a box of tissues).

Ways keep seasonal allergies at bay all year long

• Filter the air inside your home. This one’s a biggie, which is why it’s listed first. According to Consumer Reports, these are thebest air purifiers. Blue Frost Heating & Cooling recommends atmosair.com. Their Matterhorns are great!Aprilaire Whole-House ProductsandHoneywelldo an excellent job as well.
• Place a few plants in each room. All plants filter the air. Some filter air more than others.
• Vacuum often. Vacuuming is one of the best ways to clean up allergens in your home. Need a great vacuum? Here are the5 top vacuum cleaners for allergy sufferers.
• Vacuum pet hair, and keep pets off fabric furniture.
• Dust weekly. But don’t just push dust particles around, capture them with a soft cloth dampened with water, microfiber dusters, or electrostatic dusters.
• Wash blankets, sheets and throw rugs in 130-degree water every week.
• Ban smoking inside your home. This includes the attached garage.
• Minimize the use of candles and wood fires in your home.
• Use exhaust fans in the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry rooms.
• Change AC and heater filters monthly.

10 MORE ways to keep seasonal allergies at bay

• Set the temperature inside your home below 70 degrees. Mites, fungus, and roaches don’t like cool temperatures.
• Buy a dehumidifier for your basement. Set the humidity level between 35 and 45 percent humidity. Dust mites and bed bugs thrive when humidity exceeds 50%. That ‘s why they’re so much worse during the summer months. Before you buy, contact Blue Frost Heating & Cooling at (630) 444-0860. We can determine which dehumidifier is right for your home.
• Take allergy medication before you go outside to weed the garden or spend the afternoon in the park.
• Shut windows and turn on the air conditioner between 10am and 3pm when pollen counts are high even when it isn’t uncomfortably hot outside.
• Take your shoes off outside the house to keep from tracking pollen inside.
• Change your clothes and shower immediately after mowing the lawn, working in the garden or spending an afternoon outdoors during pollen season. Yes, shower. Pollen clings to your hair and skin. Chicago Pollen Forecast
• Eat right. Antioxidants found in foods and beverages help your body battle inflammation and control allergies. Also, fermented foods can trigger symptoms or make them worse. They have naturally-occurring histamines and can trigger sneezing, itching, coughing, and headache. Say “No” to pickles and sauerkraut!
• Lose some weight. Really? Really. Extra weight makes it harder to breathe. When you suffer from allergies, you don’t need that kind of help!
• Reduce stress. Stress weakens your immune system and increases your chances of an allergic reaction.
• Take alternative remedies in addition to your regular allergy medication. This may help relieve allergy symptoms.

Stop your suffering

Don’t suffer through another day of seasonal allergies. Don’t endure another day of sneezing, itchy eyes or a runny nose. Don’t wait until the killing frost takes care of the last irritating trigger. Call Blue Frost Heating & Cooling at (630) 444-0860 today. We can help. We’ll assess exactly which systems and types of systems are needed in your home to keep sneezing triggers under control.