Seasonal Allergies occur when your body overreacts to an allergen that it inaccurately identifies as a threat. For someone who experiences allergies, things like pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander are treated like bacteria and viruses. The symptoms this person experiences is the result of your body fighting off these “invaders.”
If it seems like your sniffling, sneezing, and suffering never ends, it may come as no surprise that every season is allergy season. The onset of your stuffy nose, watery eyes, and fatigue could come in Spring or Fall, depending on what you are allergic to and where you live. And if you spend all year in a warm climate where things are constantly blooming, you might suffer from “seasonal” allergies year-round.
According to the FDA, up to 40% of children suffer from seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis). This common but abnormal reaction to relatively harmless substances such as pollen, dust, or mold can make life miserable not only for your kids, but also for the entire family.
If seasonal allergies plague your family, here are 10 things to keep in mind to help everyone in the house breathe easier.
Seasonal allergies (also referred to as allergic rhinitis and hay fever) are a common condition that can impair a person’s quality of life by producing symptoms such as stuffy or runny nose, breathing impairments (including asthma), cough, itchiness, sore throat, sinus pressure, and fatigue. Symptoms can also impair cognitive function, productivity, sleep, and mood.
The first step in relieving your allergies is understanding them so they can be treated effectively. It’s important to pay close attention to what your symptoms are and when and where they occur. An allergy specialist will use skin or blood tests to narrow down your allergies so you can more reliably avoid them.
The term Indoor Air Quality, or IAQ, refers to the air quality in and around our homes and workplaces. Indoor air pollution can negatively affect Indoor Air Quality and can lead to immediate and long-term effects on a person's health and wellbeing.
Indoor air quality can be up to 5 times worse than the air outdoors.* Many objects throughout our homes and workplaces can contribute to poor indoor air quality by releasing gases, particles, debris and other contaminants into the air.
As both concerned individuals and national governments continue making efforts to reduce their own carbon emissions and ease global climate change, the term ‘pollution’ has become a common household word. But what many people do not know is that their own household could be worse off than the air outside of it, harboring many common outdoor pollutants at even higher levels. And their own daily eating habits could be a major source.
As our homes become increasingly well sealed, it may seem like indoor air quality would be improved. But the opposite actually tends to be true. Outdoor air pollutants can be less likely to escape after infiltrating your home while indoor humidity levels and temperatures can turn your home into a breeding ground for some types of mold, germs, and bacteria.
As we spend more and more time indoors, the quality of the air we breathe is becoming an increasingly common concern, especially considering that poor indoor air quality can lead to a range of short- and long-term health problems.
Few people are confident on how to maintain and clean carpet despite the popularity of carpets and rugs in homes around the world. On top of regular cleaning to prevent the visible build-up of dust and dirt, understanding how to manage embedded fine dust and remove stains can be a challenge.
We all have different approaches when it comes to cleaning hardwood floors. In many homes, families are accustomed to spending time on the floor – whether it is children playing, sitting to watch television or even having meals together on a low table.
