Allergens

Habitat for Humanity recently teamed up with healthcare company Merck's Build Smart, Breathe Easier program to create a special asthma-friendly home for a family whose two young daughters have both been hospitalized numerous times because of their asthma. Many of the steps taken to create this home involved working to reduce airborne particles that can exacerbate severe asthma.

These changes involved installing hard flooring rather than carpeting for easier cleaning, special allergen-free paint and most importantly, powerful air filters to keep ventilation from bringing in pollution or toxins from outside.

If you have a child with asthma and you'd like to keep your home safe, consider installing an IQAir Perfect16 Whole House Air Purifier, available from FreshAirPro. This medical-grade air purifier boasts the highest possible industry rating for whole house air cleaning and filters 100 percent of all moving air in the home.

It removes up to 95 percent of most irritants, including bacterias, mold spores, pollens, pollutants and a variety of other airborne toxins. To protect your family and keep the air in your home cleaner than it ever has been, look to the medical-grade purifiers we sell at FreshAirPro.

While many people love the smells of the holidays, to others, they can be torture. That's not to say the smell of fresh pine isn't generally appreciated. It's a scent many people have associated with both the holidays and cleanliness. Of course, most would prefer the scent coming from their fresh pine tree in the living room, but a real tree can be a hassle for some.

Their response is often to have an artificial tree and simulate the smells of the holidays with air fresheners or holiday candles. That is where the good news ends, because even though the smells may be appealing, the candles or air fresheners may cause allergies to act up.

If your home has become a haven for these allergens, whether or not you were the one using those aromatic items, it can make the holidays much tougher on you.

Luckily, there are ways to fight the issue. The IQAir GC MultiGas purifier can help relieve issues caused by allergens, smoke, viruses and even bacteria from the air in your home. It can also be effective for those with chemical sensitivity. 

Many consider the "allergy seasons" to be fall and spring, when pollen and mold spore counts are high, but winter also poses its share of indoor allergens. In fact, for those who are sensitive to dust, dander or mold, the cold season can be the most trying season of all.

Because most individuals spend the majority of their time indoors in winter, these and other common allergens are encountered on a more frequent, constant basis. This can lead to a running series of coughs, sniffles and red or watery eyes that can make the time you spend in your home quite unbearable.

"People...are susceptible to allergies as they tend to stay indoors 90 percent of the time [due to the harsh weather]," Dr. Abey Abraham, specialist physician at Aster Medical Centre, told Gulf News. "Indoor air quality plays a big role as allergies can be triggered by dust mites, pet dander, perfumes and micro-organisms living in air-conditioning vents, among other things."

Those looking to rid their homes of these winter irritants should take several steps before the season sets in. All air filters for furnaces or other heating units should be cleaned or replaced before the units are turned on for the season. If you're concerned that your home may have been affected by mold, have an inspector conduct a more thorough investigation as soon as possible - otherwise, the mold will set in and continue to grow over the wintertime, leaving you with a much bigger problem. Finally, the most important step you can take to protect the air within your home is to invest in a medical-grade home air purifier. These devices can help alleviate your symptoms by removing over 99 percent of airborne allergens.

Most homeowners find that keeping their homes free from dust is an ever-waging battle. Dust mites are a very common allergen, and they're most often the culprit behind allergies arising from exposure to house dust. They're also one of the leading causes of asthma for young children, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

In an attempt to reduce the number of allergy and asthma cases arising from house dust, doctors are willing to try a new method to halt the rising epidemic caused by these creatures: they're going to expose children under one year of age to the mites in hopes that early exposure will prevent the conditions from forming, reports MSNBC UK News. By exposing infants early while their immune systems are still developing, doctors are hoping to build natural resistance against these common and troublesome conditions.

According to the news source, dust mites are the most prevalent allergy trigger and are responsible for causing asthmatic reactions in approximately 85 percent of children - and the problem is only increasing.

If you have a child with asthma or an existing dust mite allergy, it's important to ensure that your home is a safe haven against these little beasties. By installing a medical-grade home air purifier, you can keep your home free of the dust in which they thrive and reduce the number of dust-related episodes your child suffers through.

Most people think of spring and fall as the "mold seasons," however the wetness caused by winter snows also creates the perfect environment for mold to thrive. This is especially true after a blizzard or heavy snowfall, which, as the snows melt in the days and weeks afterward, can leave large pools of standing water.

"Molds are a biggie in houses here because it’s a wet state. In the winter particularly, molds are a big deal," Al Barrier, an otolaryngologist at University of Missouri Health Care, told The Columbia Tribune.

If mold finds its way into your home over the winter months, it can take hold and then cause further problems when spring rains roll around. If allowed to establish a foothold, it can cause an infestation that can compromise your health and cost thousands of dollars to fix. That's why it's important to be proactive about protecting your home.

Start the war against mold before the winter sets in by making sure that your air ducts are cleaned before the start of the season. Barrier encourages a thorough cleaning every six months. You should also takes steps to ensure that the quality of air in your home isn't affected by mold. Invest in a medical-grade home air purifier, such as the IQAir HealthPro Plus, to keep the air in your home clean and safe for your family.

This year, seasonal allergy sufferers were caught by surprise when rising temperatures resulted in a significant extension to the ragweed season. So far, 2011 has seen "one of the worst, and longest, allergy seasons yet," reports ABC News.

Why this allergy season is expected to be more severe than usual
According to Reuters, the culprit is climate change. This year's higher-than-average temperatures have caused the regular ragweed season to become extended by as much as three weeks, and perhaps more. In addition to the added heat, the added dampness from the extra showers - not to mention Hurricane Irene - on the East Coast has produced a climate that's perfect for ragweed growth.

Sunny days and damp conditions caused by excessive rainfall create the perfect climate for Ambrosia artemisiifolia, also known as common ragweed. There are 41 known species of ragweed found in the world today and 17 of these occur in North America, however Ambrosia artemisiifolia is the most prevalent and the most likely to cause distress in the fall allergy season. The plant is leafy green and usually blossoms with tiny, golden flowers in late summer and early fall. It can grow up to three feet tall.

A word about ragweed allergies and symptoms
Those who suffer from seasonal allergies know that ragweed is no laughing matter. Between 10 and 20 percent of Americans suffer from ragweed allergies, a condition also known as "hay fever," and those who suffer from other pollen allergies are 75 percent more likely to have a reaction to ragweed pollen as well, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Symptoms of hay fever range from itchy eyes, nose and throat, sneezing, stuffy or runny nose and trouble sleeping. Those who are also afflicted with asthma may find that exposure to ragweed pollen exacerbates their symptoms.

If you haven't been officially diagnosed with a ragweed allergy, but you feel yourself responding to the added amount of pollen in the air this season, you should make an appointment with your doctor to be tested for allergies. Allergies can develop at any time in a person's life, so just because you haven't experienced symptoms previously doesn't mean you're not allergic.

What you can do to find relief
When braving the great outdoors, those with allergies should be sure to take their daily allergy medication. If antihistamines aren't effective in combating symptoms, another option is immunotherapy. Talk to your doctor to ascertain the best solution for you. Avoiding exposure is the best way to reduce symptoms.

Inside your home, you should make efforts to ensure that every room is as hypoallergenic as possible. This includes frequent cleaning and maintenance, such as sweeping and vacuuming floors and upholstered furniture, and other fabrics like curtains and table cloths. You may also want to consider purchasing hypoallergenic mattress covers and furniture cases, especially if you find that your allergies are usually more severe when you get up in the morning. Fabrics can trap these pollens, increasing your chances of being exposed to their effects. For those who suffer from advanced allergies, it's a good idea to use hypoallergenic furniture covers for sofas and upholstered chairs.

Of course, within the home, most experts would agree that the number one thing you can do to protect yourself from airborne allergens and other irritants is to invest in a professional-quality home air purifier such as the IQAir HealthPro Plus. This HealthPro Plus is a medical-grade home air purifier equipped with a top-of-the-line HyperHEPA filter that has been clinically proven to remove 99.5 percent of common household irritants such as airborne bacteria and viruses, pet dander, mold spores and, of course, pollens such as ragweed. If you're serious about protecting your family from this year's extended ragweed season, consider investing in the IQAir HealthPro Plus or another medical-grade air purifier today.

Pet lovers everywhere know that their furry loved ones are more than just pets - they're family. That's why so many people grieve when they find out that they've developed a pet allergy. However, some pet owners may rejoice to know that a new pet allergy doesn't automatically mean they have to kiss their labradoodles goodbye. Unless your allergies are severe, there are a few ways you can optimize your home for a peaceful pet-owner relationship.

In many cases, making the extra effort to keep your home clean can dramatically reduce symptoms. Trade your carpeting for tiles and hardwood floors to prevent pet dander from becoming matted into the material. Make sure you sweep and vacuum on a regular basis in order to prevent allergen buildup. You should also vacuum your upholstered furniture, especially if it's a place your pet frequents. Of course, if your allergies are really bothering you, you might want to consider implementing a strict no-pets-on-the-furniture policy.

Perhaps the most effective thing you can do to protect your home from this common allergen is to invest in a home air purifier. Medical-grade air purifiers can help remove irritants such as pet dander from your home so that you and your beloved pet can live in harmony.

Spring and fall can be a terrible time for allergy-sufferers everywhere, but there's nothing worse than being forced to feel the effects of the seasons inside your own home. For many people, the bedroom is the most offending area in the house, as all of the fabrics and upholstery make it a prime place for allergens to settle in.

If you're tired of waking up each morning with itchy, watery eyes and a stuffy nose, it may be time to invest in the right materials to make your bedroom an allergy-free arena.

Dust and other allergens become trapped within the pillows and mattress that you rest on each night. Keep these areas clean by using hypoallergenic pillowcases and mattress covers, which will prevent these allergens from settling in to stay.

Hardwood floors are the best flooring for allergy sufferers, however if you have a carpet you'd rather not part with, consider getting a HEPA vacuum cleaner. This will help remove dust and other allergens that can become matted deep within the rug, causing a flareup of your symptoms.

Finally, the best thing you can do to protect your home from airborne allergens and other irritants is to invest in a home air purifier. Medical-grade purifiers can help remove over 99 percent of indoor air pollution, which will help relieve your allergy symptoms and allow you to get a full night's rest.

When most people conjure up images of Halloween, they think of fun costumes, spooky decor and, of course, the candy. However, asthma and allergy sufferers may have other things on their mind on this festive holiday, including the sometimes unexpected triggers that are found lurking in their Halloween costumes, reports HealthDay News. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), dusty costumes, moldy pumpkins and fog machines can cause big problems for unsuspecting trick-or-treaters.

"When people think of Halloween-associated allergies, they focus on candy and often overlook many other potential triggers," Dr. Myron Zitt, former ACAAI president, told the news source. "By planning ahead, you can ensure not only safe treats, but also safe costumes, makeup, accessories and decorations."

In order to assure that you and your family are ready for Halloween, unpack all of your holiday decorations and costume materials early and ensure that they get a thorough cleaning before use. When storing items, try to seal cloth items like costumes in vacuum-sealed plastic so that the dust won't have a chance to settle in. Stow your items in a well-ventilated storage space to reduce your chances of unpleasant complications by next year. Using a home air purifier will also reduce the chances of allergens and asthma triggers becoming ensconced in your holiday decorations.

Those who suffer from seasonal allergies may be ready to welcome the colder months, however it may be too early to start celebrating. With the elevated levels of pollen and mold in the air this year, people can still expect to have their allergies triggered from such simple activities as raking leaves, reports the Courier Journal.

"Fall weed pollens usually persist until the first good freeze, and...there is always some mold in the air unless there is a coat of snow on the ground," Dr. Derek Damin, an allergist with Kentuckiana Allergy, told the news source. "So we are not out of the woods yet."

Because the air outdoors is still packed with allergens like pollen and mold, it's doubly important for allergy sufferers to protect the air inside their homes. Airborne allergens can easily travel inside the home and cause irritation and other symptoms.

The best way to protect a home from these and other types of common allergens is by investing in a home air purifier like the IQAir HealthPro Plus. The medical-grade filter can help remove more than 99 percent of airborne irritants and ensure that the family is breathing easy all year long.