{"id":3853,"date":"2019-09-10T12:58:16","date_gmt":"2019-09-10T16:58:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.airmd.com\/?p=3853"},"modified":"2019-09-10T12:58:16","modified_gmt":"2019-09-10T16:58:16","slug":"surprising-allergy-triggers-hiding-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/airmd.com\/surprising-allergy-triggers-hiding-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Surprising Allergy Triggers Hiding in Your Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Surprising<\/p>\n

Seasonal allergies usually get the most attention. You\u2019ve probably seen those ads showing people enjoying the great outdoors thanks to one antihistamine or another. Indoor allergies are also very common. If you or someone in your family has been struggling with allergies, having a home allergen test done might be the first step in getting the problem under control.<\/p>\n

Causes of Indoor Allergies<\/h3>\n

Indoor allergies might not get as much attention because all those over-the-counter medications you see advertised aren\u2019t always as effective when it comes to treating them. When you think of indoor allergies, the first thing that comes to mind is probably your aunt\u2019s allergy to cats or that old boyfriend\u2019s alleged allergy to your dog.<\/p>\n

Dust mites are among the most common indoor allergens<\/strong>, however. If you live in a really dry environment, like the desert, you\u2019re in luck. Dust mites need humidity to survive. As the American.Lung Association<\/a> explains, \u201cHumidity is the most important factor in determining whether a house has high concentrations of dust mites. Dust mites do not drink water like we do; they absorb moisture from the air.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t live in the desert, chances are there are dust mites in your home \u2013 and your chances go up if you live in areas with high humidity like South Florida \u2013 including Boca Raton, where the indoor air quality experts at AirMD are based.<\/p>\n

Dealing with Dust Mites<\/h3>\n

\u201cDust mite allergens, unlike pet allergens, do not usually stay airborne. They cling to particles that are too heavy to remain in the air for long,\u201d the American Lung Association says. \u201cDust mite allergens settle within minutes into dust or fabrics, such as pillows, bedding or upholstered furniture, which serve as nests. Most exposure to dust mite allergens occurs while sleeping and when dust is disturbed during bed-making or other movements.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been washing your bedding in hot water every week and vacuuming with a HEPA filter vacuum frequently, but are still having issues, you may want to think about some of the less obvious places where dust mites can be hiding, including:<\/p>\n

Stuffed Animals<\/h4>\n

When it comes to your child\u2019s allergies, toys are nothing to play around with! As the Asthma and Allergy Friendly\u00ae Certification Program<\/a>, a partnership between the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)<\/a> and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL)<\/a> that tests and certifies products and services to improve the air quality and health of homes, explains, \u201cLike bedding, stuffed toys attract dust mites and other allergens and irritants. They may also contain dyes and materials that can be irritating and cause allergy or asthma symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n

What can you do?<\/h5>\n

To help reduce allergens, the experts at Asthma and Allergy Friendly recommend the following:<\/p>\n