Allergies are annoying and can cause symptoms like itchy watery eyes, a runny nose or itching in the throat. Symptoms can be controlled with antihistamines, decongestants, or nasal sprays. Dirty ducts can spread allergens around the house through the HVAC system. These allergens can include pollen, dust mites, pet dander and mold spores. Take care of your house and be in control of your allergies. Supreme Air Duct Cleaning Ankeny can help you with this! Visit our website or give us a call today to get a free quote on your next air duct cleaning service. We want to help you become healthy again!
Pollen
Seasonal allergies to trees, grasses, and weeds cause runny noses, itchy eyes, and congestion. They are most common in spring but can occur in summer and fall as well. They may also cause year-round symptoms in people with chronic sinusitis or asthma. The pollen from birches, oaks, and elms is especially troublesome for some people.
During allergy season, it’s important to avoid outdoor activities on days when pollen counts are highest. It’s best to stay indoors, and use air conditioning, which cleans, cools, and dries the air. If you turn off your AC, make sure you keep the fan running so that pollen cannot settle and disturb your allergies when you turn the AC back on. If you must be outside, keep your windows closed, and wear a face mask. Delegate yard work to someone else and wear wraparound glasses to protect your eyes from pollen. Rinse off after being outside to remove pollen from your skin and hair. Brush off pets to prevent them from carrying pollen inside the house especially if you left your pets on the couch, bed or any other pieces of furniture.
When a person is allergic to pollen, the immune system mistakenly sees these tiny spores as a threat and releases antibodies that attack them. This results in the release of chemicals called histamines, which are responsible for many of the symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Allergy testing can help pinpoint which types of allergens trigger your symptoms. A physician or allergist will ask you questions about your symptoms, and then perform a skin test. They will prick your skin with small amounts of different allergens and then watch for the appearance of red, raised bumps. These tests can help determine which medications will be most effective for you. You can then buy antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops to relieve your symptoms. An allergist can also prescribe more powerful drugs, such as corticosteroids, for chronic sinusitis and severe asthma. These medications treat the underlying cause of the allergies, rather than just treating the symptoms. They can be more effective than over-the-counter drugs. These drugs are often more expensive, but they can improve your quality of life significantly. This is why it’s important to visit an allergist before you get too desperate for relief from your allergies. Your doctor will be able to find you a treatment plan that will fit your needs and budget.
Dust Mites
Allergies are caused by a person’s immune system reacting to irritants that enter the body, like pollen, pet dander, dust mites, mold, chemical vapors, and smoke. These irritants enter the body through breathing and skin contact. Allergies can cause watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itchy skin, and a variety of other symptoms. A doctor can prescribe medications to relieve allergy symptoms.
Dust mites are microscopic creatures that can trigger allergies by releasing an allergen made from fragments of their bodies and feces. They thrive in environments that are warm and humid, living in beds, carpets, rugs, old clothing, pillows and stuffed toys. They are also found in air ducts, where they can be released into the home’s air.
To survive, dust mites consume tiny human skin flakes that are shed every day. They also absorb moisture from the air. If the humidity level drops, they die. Dust mites are more prevalent in warm and humid climates, but they can be found almost everywhere.
Allergy sufferers are particularly sensitive to the droppings of the microscopic creatures. If the mites are inhaled or meet a sensitized person, they can trigger nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes and rashes. The irritation of the respiratory epithelium lining the nose and sinuses can also lead to a chronic condition called atrophic rhinitis, which causes the tissues to harden and shrink.
You can help to keep the levels of dust mites in your home low by removing wall-to-wall carpeting and replacing it with tile or wood floors. Using a vacuum cleaner with a high efficiency, purifying air (HEPA) filter is also important. Regularly washing bedding materials, such as pillowcases, sheets, and blankets, in hot water will help to reduce the presence of dust mites. It is a good idea to use cotton, polyester, or synthetic fibers rather than wool in bedroom fabrics. Fabric draperies, curtains and window treatments should be removed from the bedroom and replaced with wooden or plastic blinds or shades. Purchasing a mattress and box spring with zippered allergen and dust proof covers will also help to protect the sleeping area from dust mites.
Air Duct Cleaning is another way to help treat and/or get rid of dust mites and your allergies. Supreme Air Duct Cleaning can provide you with a full cleaning of the duct system! This is super important to perform when you buy a new house or if you haven’t had it done since moving into your home. Dust and pet dander can hide very well in your system without you noticing but this doesn’t mean you have clean ducts. Supreme Air Duct Cleaning will take before and after pictures of your ducts so you can see what all was cleaned.
Pet Dander
Being a pet owner is an amazing experience. It can teach children responsibility and love, and they often create lifelong memories with their furry or winged friends. However, those with allergies to dog or cat dander may experience uncomfortable symptoms, including runny noses, itchy eyes, and a variety of respiratory problems.
Dander is comprised of tiny flecks of skin that are shed by cats, dogs and other animals with fur or feathers, such as rodents. The protein in this dander can trigger allergic reactions in susceptible individuals, which can range from mild sniffling to life-threatening asthma.
This allergen is extremely lightweight, which allows it to float in the air and easily stick to furniture, fabrics and items carried into and out of the house. The size of the flecks also makes them easy to inhale, causing symptoms such as sneezing, wheezing and a runny nose.
Unfortunately, dander can linger in the home for up to 4-7 months after pets are removed. This can cause allergy symptoms in children and adults long after the pet is gone, as well as affect family members who may not have any previous history of allergy issues. The allergy-triggering proteins in dander also encourage the growth of dust mites, which can further increase the severity of symptoms for allergy sufferers. This is why it is so important to keep pet dander under control and to clean regularly, especially in rooms where the allergies are most prevalent.
It is possible to minimize the impact of pet dander on your household by keeping your pets outdoors as much as possible and not allowing them in bedrooms or other areas where allergies occur. In addition, using a HEPA filter on your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) can help to remove the allergen from the air as it circulates through your home. Regularly cleaning your house and using an air purifier can further reduce the amount of dander in your home. For severe cases of pet dander allergies, you may want to consult with an allergist/immunologist to find the right treatment plan for you.
Pet dander is another reason to consider an air duct cleaning service performed by Supreme Air Duct Cleaning. The service includes cleaning all ductwork, the blower compartment of the furnace, and a free dryer vent cleaning. We also take before and after pictures inside the ducts! Give Supreme Air Duct Cleaning a call to receive a free quote or visit us online to get an estimate.
Mold
Molds, which belong to the Kingdom Fungi, are a natural part of the environment. They grow in soil, plants and decaying organic material. They play an important role outdoors in nature by breaking down dead leaves, trees, animal carcasses and other organic matter. However, indoors mold growth is a health problem that can trigger allergy symptoms in people with allergies or asthma. It can also cause a variety of other health problems such as headache, sinus congestion and fatigue.
Mold allergy symptoms vary from person to person. Some sufferers experience year-round symptoms, while others notice that their symptoms are triggered by damp weather or when they are in areas with high concentrations of mold. Common symptoms include sneezing, watery eyes, and nasal congestion. Other symptoms can be more serious and include memory loss, lethargy, and respiratory distress. Molds can also produce mycotoxins, which are poisonous substances that can pose a significant health risk to those who have a compromised immune system.
When conditions are right for mold to grow, it forms long strings called hyphae that intertwine and create a structure known as the mycelium. The mycelium provides the structural support and nutrients for the mold. The hyphae reproduce by producing microscopic spores that look like seeds and float through the air. Spores are dispersed as they move along the mycelium and when they land on a surface that is moist and contains organic material for food, they germinate and start to grow.
As they grow, molds release large numbers of tiny, airborne spores that can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs of sensitive individuals. They can also contaminate the surfaces where they are growing, as well as other items in the home.
Dirty ductwork can contribute to the proliferation of mold and other allergens in a house. Uncleaned ductwork can spew out dust particles, which can aggravate allergies and asthma. It can also carry pollen, which can lead to allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to it. And it can harbor pet dander, which can trigger symptoms in people who are allergic to cats and dogs.
Summary
EPA has publications for guidance on identifying possible indoor air quality problems and ways to prevent or fix them. Mold, pet dander, and dust mites are the most common triggers of allergies. These can all be trapped in your air duct system which is re circulating throughout your house. Consider an air duct cleaning service to get rid of all these things triggering your allergies and sleepless nights. Supreme Air Duct Cleaning Ankeny can 100% get rid of dust and pet dander in your home. An air duct cleaning service performed by Supreme Air Duct Cleaning needs to happen every 8-10 years. The effects of air duct cleaning are long lasting, and you will notice a difference in the air quality of your home right away. Give us a call today or visit our website to answer any last questions you have about the service. You will not regret it. Supreme Air Duct Cleaning will not leave you disappointed. Our work is guaranteed for 6 months and if you are not happy, you will not pay.