If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from hay fever, then you will know how normal life can be completely disrupted when pollen levels are high.

Although there is no known cure for these allergies, improving the air quality in your home can help ease your symptoms.

What is allergy season?

According to the World Allergy Organization, between 10% and 30% of the world’s population suffers from pollen allergies, or in medical terms, seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Without going too deeply into how allergic reactions occur, it is simply related to the body’s immune system overreacting to a harmless substance known as an allergen. This reaction causes the production of antibodies that release chemicals in the body. These lead to allergy-related symptoms and most commonly affect the nose, throat, sinuses, lungs, and skin. The severity of the reaction varies between individuals; for some, it may be only a mild inconvenience, while for others it can be debilitating and in some cases potentially life-threatening.

Grass and tree pollens are the most common allergens, and these are usually what we refer to when talking about seasonal allergies. Pollen is a mass of microspores that are transferred between plants via air, water, or insects and animals as part of the pollination process for plant reproduction. The peak period is during the spring and summer months, which is generally considered the “allergy season.” The peak of the pollen season is from April to August, but climate change has caused the allergy season to last longer.

When it comes to air quality, if you are prone to allergies, you should not only consider the spring and summer seasons. Another very common allergen is dust, or more specifically, dust mites that live in household dust. These microscopic creatures feed on shed skin cells, and allergy symptoms are very similar to those of hay fever.

Some other common airborne allergens that cause various symptoms in sensitive individuals include mold and fungi, as well as pollutants from exhaust gases, household cleaning products, and even materials found in construction and furniture.

What can you do to reduce allergy symptoms?

First of all, if you are suffering from allergy symptoms, you should consult a doctor for diagnosis and to discuss treatment. However, there are some things you can do at home that can help relieve symptoms and greatly improve air quality.

Change your bedding

Anyone with a dust mite allergy is advised to use hypoallergenic pillow and mattress covers that act as a physical barrier against dust mites. For these to be most effective, it is important to wash all bedding at least once a week at a temperature of 60°C to kill dust mites and remove other allergens such as pollen. Other soft furnishings such as curtains, cushions, and duvets can also trap dust and allergens, so these should also be washed regularly.

Vacuum regularly

Unfortunately, carpets are known for trapping dust and particles, so for the same reason as dusting, it is necessary to vacuum regularly to keep dust as minimal as possible. It is important to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter that traps allergens and prevents them from being released back into the air. If anyone in your home has severe allergies, it may be worth considering replacing carpets with hard flooring such as wood or tiles, which are easier to keep dust under control.

Dry clothes indoors

This may not be something that immediately comes to mind, but when pollen levels are high, it is better to avoid drying clothes outside, as pollen can settle on your clean laundry and be brought into your home.

How to improve air quality to relieve allergy symptoms?

Although pollen and many other airborne allergens may come from outside, they can easily enter our homes. Outdoors, air circulates regularly, but indoors it does not, and since we spend 90% of our time inside, we need to think about how to improve the air quality in our home environment to reduce allergy symptoms.

This may be as simple as ensuring adequate ventilation by opening windows to allow fresh air in. However, while this keeps the air moving, it will not improve the situation if the incoming air still carries pollen and pollutants.

The best way to improve indoor air quality is to use an air purifier. Air purifiers consist of a series of filters that capture particles of various sizes. These include a HEPA filter that ensures even the smallest pollen, fine dust, and mold spores are captured. The air purifier then recirculates the air, releasing clean, fresh, and purified air into your room.

Humidity can also be a problem during allergies. If humidity is high, it can increase the risk of mold and mildew, and dust mites thrive at higher humidity levels. However, if humidity is too low, dryness can irritate already inflamed nasal tissues and worsen your symptoms. An air purifier with a humidifier can be a solution, maintaining optimal humidity to relieve symptoms while preventing additional allergens that affect air quality.

Conclusion

If an air purifier seems like the right solution for your home, contact Caspian Klima for more information and to make the right choice.