How you clean your home may help reduce allergy symptoms
Spring is in full bloom, bringing with it the green plague of pollen. People with seasonal allergies can take some quick steps to help keep allergens out of the house to find relief.
Tarik Phillip, MD, internal medicine physician at Bon Secours Town Center Medical Associates in Virginia Beach, suggests that allergy sufferers follow these five tips during spring cleaning to help reduce allergens in the home.
Replace all air filters in your house
Air filters should be replaced every two months. It is a good time to replace your air filters now with a filter designed to help trap allergens.
Keep your shoes out
After your trek through your yard, your shoes collect a lot of pollen which is responsible for a lot of seasonal allergy sufferers symptoms. If possible, leave your shoes in a mudroom or garage to avoid tracking pollen into your carpet.
Vacuum regularly
“Carpet and other fabrics often keep allergens around in your house where they can continue to bother you,” says Dr. Phillip. “Vacuum each week with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter to eliminate these allergens.”
Shut the windows and clean the drapes to reduce allergy symptoms
Avoid letting pollen in by keeping your windows shut. You should also give your drapes or curtains a good cleaning as they can trap pollen and dust mites.
Run a dehumidifier
“When humidity is high in the spring and summer, it can lead to mold in your house,” Dr. Phillip says. Consider running dehumidifiers in areas of your home that are susceptible to moisture and mold, such as the kitchen and bathroom.
Most allergies can be managed by knowing what you are allergic to, avoiding allergens and taking allergy medications.
“If you have seasonal allergies, your primary care physician can help you find a way to reduce your symptoms using medicines or inhalers,” Dr. Phillip says. “Talk to your physician about your allergies to find relief.”
