Dyson Knowledge

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.

If you suffer from perennial allergic rhinitis – in other words, your allergy symptoms are present year-round – your triggers may be coming from inside your home, school, office, or even your car.

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.

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.