7 Allergens That Are Lurking in Your Home in Tellico Plains, TN

In Tellico Plains, TN, indoor air quality in your home is important for your continued good health, and your HVAC system is an integral part of maintaining it. The filters on your HVAC system remove particles of all kinds from the air, and the temperature regulation of your home can be preventive when it comes to biological contaminants. Read on to learn about seven common allergens that could affect your indoor air quality.

Microbes

Several kinds of biological growths can cause allergic reactions in some people. In serious cases, these contaminants can cause severe breathing problems. The possibility of experiencing breathing problems alone is a good reason to maintain optimal indoor air quality.

Pollen

During certain seasons of the year, some plants produce pollen that can cause allergic reactions. Fortunately, serious breathing problems are rare from pollen allergies, but the widespread presence of pollen coming from nearly every plant makes hay fever quite uncomfortable.

Dander

With the exception of certain breeds of domestic animals, such as the Bichon Frise dog and Sphynx cat, pets shed tiny flakes of hair and skin called dander. Anaphylaxis from pet dander is also rare, but the uncomfortable symptoms include not only the runny nose and eyes but also itchy skin reactions even without the rash.

Smoke

Smoke irritates your breathing passages and results in allergic reactions. Smoking any substance produces this smoke; you also create it with candles and fireplaces. The residue from all kinds of smoke can linger for months, and this can cause contact dermatitis and other skin conditions in addition to the expected breathing reactions.

The technical term for that residue is “thirdhand smoke.” Reducing the amount of smoke in your home will result in less thirdhand smoke building up.

Chemicals

Cleaning products release volatile organic compounds. These compounds frequently cause breathing issues and allergic reactions. That’s why the bottles and other packaging say, “Use in a well-ventilated area.”

You might not think of something as innocuous as an air freshener or scented fabric softener would cause allergic reactions, but they do. In fact, the scents from these scented products frequently cause shortness of breath, which has led to many places declaring themselves to be “scent-free environments.”

Dust Mites

There are more than a dozen species of dust mites, and these tiny creatures are invisible to the naked eye. They feed upon the dead skin cells that you shed every day. The reactions they cause include sneezing and itchy eyes.

It’s common to mistake a dust mite allergy with a cold because many of the symptoms are the same. It’s fortunate that dust mite allergies are seldom dangerous. However, if you have asthma, they can be, so it’s a good idea to take steps to protect yourself.

Cockroaches and Other Insects

When it comes to these creatures, they themselves are not what causes allergic reactions. Rather, it’s the particles that fall off of and/or out of them that are the culprits. Roughly three people in 10 are allergic to the particles that come from cockroaches. Keeping your house clean is vital to preventing pest infestations that worsen your indoor air quality.

We have both an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, both of which show our skill and esteem in the industry. We’re also a family-owned and business that provides both a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a lifetime warranty on workmanship, so you can count on us for all of your needs regarding indoor air quality. HVAC maintenance is a fantastic place to start when it comes to ridding your home of allergens, so call Pol’s Heating and Cooling, LLC to schedule an appointment.

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