If you or your family struggle with indoor allergies but can’t seem to find the reason why, there may be some hidden causes right under your nose. Keep reading for the surprising sources of indoor allergies and some solutions to these that can help your family start breathing easier.
Video Overview
Carpet
If your indoor allergies persist over a long period of time, it may be a sign to clean your carpet. Your carpeting or rugs can trap allergens such as dust, dust mites, pet fur, pet dander, and more if not cleaned regularly. Vacuuming often can help clear up allergies in the meantime, but it’s a good idea to deep clean or hire a cleaning service for your carpet every few years to remove set-in allergens and stains.
Houseplants
Some claim that houseplants can purify the air in your home, but depending on the plant, they can actually have the opposite effect. If you bring home a plant that produces pollen, you could make your indoor allergies worse by spreading pollen in a closed space. Avoid houseplants with pollen, including orchids, spider plants, and most other flowering plants. If you love the positive feeling of keeping a houseplant around, but suffer from allergies, look for leafy plants, such as lady palms or bamboo.
Candles or Fragrances
For some people, candles, wall plug-ins, wax burners, and other air fresheners can cause allergy symptoms. These symptoms might involve sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose or throat, and even headaches. These symptoms can vary depending on the strength of the candle or air freshener, so try using very light fragrances if you or your family are sensitive to allergens. You can even opt for no-fragrance candles if you simply like the look without the scent.
Cleaning Supplies
Much like candles, the strong odor of cleaning supplies can also trigger indoor allergy symptoms. Depending on exposure and strength of the cleaning supplies, the scent of these products can cause sneezing, itchy skin or rashes, and even trouble breathing in those with severe allergies or asthma. In this case, look for cleaning products that are fragrance-free as well, and stay away from using harsh chemicals like bleach, especially in an enclosed space.
The best thing to note about these surprising sources of indoor allergies is that they all have simple fixes. So, if you or anyone in your household has indoor allergies, try some of these solutions and see if it helps clear up any symptoms.
