Allergens in the Home

Allergies

Allergies. So many people have them, in one way or another. There are so many different kinds. These can be food, drug, insect, mold, pet and pollen related allergies. Allergens are usually thought of as being suspended in the air but in reality they are a lot closer than you think. More often than not allergens are found in places like carpets and fabrics such as bedding and upholstery.

Where can these allergens be found? Here are a few common allergens and where they like to hide out:

House dust mites

These are very tiny and live in pillows, mattresses bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture. Interestingly enough their fecal material is what is allergenic, causing wheezing attacks in asthmatics.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches also have allergy provoking fecal matter but also can cause have skin that can be highly allergenic. They shed this skin and while you may not find a whole piece of it, the broken down bits can hide in thick carpet and places like that.

Animals

Animals like cats, dogs and rodents have highly allergenic saliva, urine and dander and skin flakes. The dander and skin flakes tend to collect on furniture and can be a source of discomfort when you have an allergy and it’s all over your furniture.

Mold

Mold is quite common in homes with where carpet gets (and stays wet) or where a leak or damage has cause moisture to get into the dry wall. These seem to produce the most amount of mold, especially in warm, humid climates. Make sure to clean up large spills and be wary of potential leaks. Getting them fixed sooner, rather than later, can save you time, energy, money and pain from potential mold or more problems in the future.

Smoke

Another one that bothers many people is Secondhand smoke. While the smoke from cigarettes or fires is not an allergen directly it isn’t harmless. It is an irritant and can worsen symptoms in people with allergies or asthma. This may induce an allergic type reaction, or severe coughing and troubled breathing.

To remove the allergen, you have to remove the source. If not, no amount of cleaning will help relieve your allergies. Once you have removed the source, then the cleaning can begin. This involves something beyond just a surface cleaning, to truly lessen the effects of the irritant or allergen. If this is something you are suffering with, give us a call so we can help!