5 Common Allergy Triggers in Your Florence, SC Home

Your Florence, SC home should be a haven of comfort and safety where you can relax and unwind after a long day. However, your peaceful home can easily become a nuisance when it triggers your allergies, causing you to sneeze, cough or have other reactions. To help you identify and possibly avoid such inconveniences, we’ve outlined the most common allergy triggers in your home.

1. Dust

Dust is the most widespread allergen. Although it may not appear dangerous, it can cause severe reactions.

Dust mites in household items such as bedding, mattresses and carpets often trigger these allergies. Dust mites live off the dead skin and pet dander present in dust and can be difficult to manage.

If dust is an issue in your house, maintaining a clean environment is the best solution. Start by doing regular vacuuming and dusting while focusing on difficult-to-reach areas such as below the furniture, along baseboards and on top of bookcases.

You can also keep dust and mites under control by regularly cleaning or replacing the air filter in the HVAC system. At Air Solutions Heating and Cooling, we offer a range of indoor air quality solutions to help you and your family breathe easier.

2. Pets

Despite popular belief, no dog or cat breed is completely hypoallergenic. This is because the allergen that causes allergic reactions in humans is present in its saliva, dander or urine. However, the hair on some breeds may be less likely to pick up outdoor allergens and bring them inside.

Most people who are allergic to pets will experience symptoms within minutes. More prolonged exposure may result in more persistent effects. While it would be impossible to rid your house of pet dander without getting rid of the pets, you can still manage the situation with some effort.

You should regularly wash and groom your pets to minimize dander levels. Also, vacuum upholstered furniture frequently and keep your pets off of it. Lastly, vacuum any pet hairs that accumulate in your home as soon as you notice them.

3. Cockroaches

Although cockroaches typically reside in residential regions of heavily populated cities, educational institutions and commercial structures, they are practically everywhere. This doesn’t imply that your home is dirty. Still, their bodies, waste and saliva, whether alive or dead, are allergens and can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms in humans.

To prevent cockroach infestation in your home, seal up any potential entry points for roaches, including spaces like cracks in walls and windows. You should also repair any leaking plumbing fixtures since roaches depend on water for survival. And when everyone, including pets, is away from home, call an exterminator to check for and kill any lingering roaches.

After feeding your pets, store their bowls and food in lidded containers. Also, clean up the kitchen after each meal by sweeping or vacuuming and throwing away any trash or recyclables in a lidded trash can. Additionally, after preparing and eating a meal, wash the dishes and clean the areas beneath appliances like stoves and refrigerators.

4. Biological Growth

Damp conditions in your home can predispose it to biological growth. It usually occurs due to a water leak, typically in basements, crawl spaces or beneath the sink in your kitchen or bathroom. Some of these biological growths can cause severe respiratory issues in some people or trigger other medical conditions.

5. Pollen

Pollen is widespread outside but can easily enter your house. You might react to pollen from flowering trees and plants the same way you react to pet dander. It is also a typical trigger for sinus headaches, which may be irritating if you ignore it.

Taking precautions against pollen buildup at home is essential. Start by leaving your shoes outside rather than bringing them inside your home during spring, when pollen counts are at their highest. In addition, keep your windows shut for as long as possible, especially on windy days when pollen can easily get into your home.

Despite the widespread nature of these allergens, you can still take certain measures to protect your family and yourself from allergic reactions. Among them is ensuring your HVAC system functions properly and not distributing allergens inside your home. At Air Solutions Heating and Cooling in Florence, SC, we are well-versed in everything HVAC, so contact us today for HVAC maintenance to ensure your system is functioning optimally.

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