Allergies are some of the most widespread chronic afflictions affecting over 50 million Americans annually. When you take a look at the statistics, you can see that being allergic to something happens a lot more frequently than other chronic ailments.
Pollen allergies are by far the most prevalent issue, impacting over 25 million Americans. Some are allergic to tree pollen, which is filling the air in spring. Others have an issue with grass pollen in summer. For the rest, weed pollen is a real problem. This is typically present in the fall.
The question is, how do you keep these triggers at bay? What’s the right way to nip them in the bud and enjoy the rest of the season? Here, you can take a closer look at the practical ways to keep the body safe from pollen allergies at home and in small facilities.
Pollen from trees, weeds, and grass are a typical contributor to asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever) symptoms. You can easily spot hay fever from a runny nose, watery or itchy eyes. These symptoms appear in seasons and depend on the type of pollen you are allergic to.
Pollen is a granular, powdery substance that can be dispersed in the wind or spread by insects. It’s really tricky to avoid pollen altogether since it is literally everywhere in the air. The wind carries it, which amplifies the possibility of exposure. Talk with a doctor to get adequate medication or treatment if necessary.
| North America | 33.3 % |
| Northern & Eastern Europe | 12.3 % |
| Western Europe | 21.2 % |
| Eastern Mediterranean | 20.1 % |
| Oceania | 39.8 % |
Source: World Allergy Organization (2016)
In some people, the pollen can come in contact with their lungs and directly stimulate asthma, which may have nothing to do with the symptoms of hay fever. These include trouble breathing, chest pain or tightness, wheezing, and coughing.
One way to manage the allergies and control the symptoms is to stay indoors. But, there is one problem. Unless you know how to control indoor allergens, the allergy will take its toll. That’s why having a couple of tactics at hand can come a long way.
Asthma and pollen allergies control starts indoors. When pollen is high, it’s a practical solution to avoid exposure and boost indoor air quality. Here are some of the methods you can use to make any facility a comfortable living space.
To allergy-proof your home or business, there are a couple of options you can use. Remove any items that sit in the dust, like knickknacks, ornaments, decorations, or products that you never use. If there are any collectibles that you would like to keep, then use adequate plastic storage bins to reduce your exposure to dust and other airborne allergens.
Wash and replace the bedding every week and use synthetic materials if they are causing you problems. Check for any damage to the windows, walls, or doors. Any source of leakage, water damage, or open spaces can make it easy for the pollen to slip through.
Ventilation plays a fundamental role in air freshness, quality, comfort, and curbing allergy symptoms. You should focus on maintaining a pollen-free living space so that you can notice improvements in your health and pollen allergy symptoms.
An air cleaner or purifier uses a unique filtration system capable of removing contaminants from the air that can trigger pollen allergy symptoms. Feel free to use a true HEPA filter that captures the particles. For better results, you may also use a unit that features a charcoal-based activated carbon filter. This is an effective method of absorbing annoying smells or airborne chemicals.
Typical allergy triggers, such as mildew, mold, and dust mites, thrive in highly humid places. For someone with allergies or asthma, extreme humidity can worsen the symptoms. Therefore, it is critical to cut these moisture-loving allergens from their source of fuel. A dehumidifier can help with that. It maintains a normal humidity level.
Vacuums with HEPA filters are very popular for anyone with pollen allergies or other allergies. HEPA filters are used in some floor sweepers and vacuum cleaners due to their potent air filtration and floor care equipment. The filter traps the pollutants and makes sure even the smallest particles get filtered.
Pollen can stick to your clothing. It sticks to just about anything, such as pets, skin, hair, shoes, and so on. Without removing or washing the clothes, you are unintentionally moving the pollen into the comfort of your home.
Who doesn’t love the smell of freshly washed clothes? Especially after you dry them outside in summer or spring. But, with pollen allergies, this is a big no-no. By the time the clothes or beddings dry completely, the laundry will be coated in pollen. If you can, dry them inside instead.
Masks used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 can also be used to avoid some of the pollen exposure. Although they can’t protect the eyes, they may offer some form of protection. They are a short-term solution. For a more effective way to treat pollen allergies consult with a specialist. Your doctor can suggest the best forms of treatment that can mitigate or treat the symptoms.
Several disinfectants can help in suppressing pollen. However, frequently spraying disinfectants around the room with a spray bottle is a big hassle.
Instead, you can consider using a special fogger to automatically spray the disinfectant on all surfaces in the room. For disinfectants, it is recommended to use HOCl(hypochlorous acid water, also known as ECA), which is effective enough at low concentration and safe for humans.
Tests of 80ppm HOCl and purified water sprayed for 20 minutes showed that HOCl reduced the concentration of cedar pollen by 41.1% compared to purified water. Similarly, the test using D. farinae, which causes allergic diseases, showed a 24.4% reduction.
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Pollen allergies come with a plethora of challenges. Because of how prevalent they are, many people have to deal with them on a regular basis. With the tips listed here, you can curb the exposure indoors both in your home and in a small facility. To get a long-term solution for your allergy, talk to your doctor. You may have to rely on treatment to manage the condition.