What Are Allergies and How Do They Affect People?
Allergies are an immune system response to a foreign substance, such as pollen or pet dander. When someone is exposed to an allergen, their body releases histamine and other chemicals, which can cause symptoms like sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and a runny nose. In some cases, allergies can lead to more serious problems, such as asthma attacks or even anaphylaxis—a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention.
Allergic reactions vary in severity from person to person and can also be drastically impacted by your environment—making the quality of your indoor air a factor in the frequency and severity of your symptoms. Our team at All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical understands how frustrating allergies can be, which is why we are sharing tips to help you improve your indoor air quality (IAQ).
Defining Indoor Air Quality
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines indoor air quality as “the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.” Pollutants, dust, and pet dander are just some of the common indoor irritants that can make allergy symptoms worse. Additionally, mold and other types of fungus can also contribute to poor indoor air quality, leading to further irritation.
5 Tips for Improving Your Indoor Air Quality
When irritants are trapped indoors, it can heighten your exposure to them, making allergy and asthma symptoms worse. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to improve your air quality in your home or office.
- Improve ventilation: This is one of the most effective ways to improve your indoor air quality. Increasing air circulation can help to remove the pollutants that can accumulate in a room. This can look like adding ceiling fans or opening your windows more often.
- Invest in routine HVAC maintenance: Professional HVAC maintenance at least once a year not only ensures your heating and cooling systems are running optimally but it also entails cleaning and changing out air filters to minimize pollutant buildup.
- Consider an air cleaner: Installing an air cleaner is a great way to improve IAQ. Air cleaners work by trapping particles such as dust, pollen, and mold spores, which can all have adverse health effects. Many air cleaners are also equipped with HEPA filters that trap smoke and other airborne contaminants.
- Control humidity: High humidity levels can cause mold and other pollutants to thrive, which can drastically impact allergies. However, low humidity can dry out your nose and throat, making the environment uncomfortable. That is why many homeowners invest in a humidifier or dehumidifier depending on their environment.
- Regularly clean rugs and carpets: Dust, dander, and other contaminants can easily become trapped in the fibers of carpets and rugs. Vacuuming regularly can help remove this buildup to minimize irritant exposure.
Our HVAC professionals at All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical are committed to helping you feel comfortable indoors all year long. We offer duct cleaning, HVAC maintenance, air handler service, and evaporator coil service throughout Ontario and the surrounding areas, so you can feel confident that your indoor air quality isn’t exacerbating your seasonal allergies.
To learn more about our professional duct cleaning services, call us at (909) 500-8193 or fill out our online contact form.