Health Benefits of Keeping Your Air Ducts Cleaned

Dirty air ducts in the home can lead to numerous health problems for you and the members of your family. Furnace and air-conditioning ducts should not be left to just collect debris, dust and hazardous material. When you get your ducts professionally cleaned, you will see a great improvement in the overall air quality of your home or office.

 

Dust

Dust around your home or business is not just unsightly, it can lead to some serious allergies. House dust is the number one allergen causing reactions in those who suffer from indoor and winter allergies. Professional furnace and duct cleaning by professional companies like Knight Plumbing is one way to get a handle on any potential dust problems in your home or office. Clean air ducts help your furnace and your furnace filter to work better and filter out much of the dust that would otherwise be released into the living environment.

 

Mold

If there is a great degree of debris that is allowed to build up in your furnace and air-conditioning ducts, moisture can become a problem in these areas. Moisture anywhere in the home can become a breeding ground for mold. Mold spores are responsible for a number of health problems including allergies and asthma. Some people can also experience skin reactions from too many mold spores in the environment. Also, mold has a smell all of its own, and if mold is building up in your home’s furnace and air-conditioning ducts, it won’t be long before your home is plagued by a very unpleasant odor.

 

Duct cleaning can eliminate debris and moisture build up. This will keep your home smelling great and you and your family breathing clean and healthy air.

 

Germs

Dirty duct work is a breeding ground for all types of germs. Bacteria, virus, and fungus can grow in a dirty duct work environment. Some of the fungus that builds up in duct work can cause very serious lung infections that may require a long course of treatment. Duct cleaning will eliminate the environment that fosters the growth of elements that might harm your family.

It is a good idea to clean your ducts on a regular basis. Keeping your furnace and air-conditioning ducts free from debris will keep your furnace and air-conditioner working better, and your family will have healthier air to breathe that is free of dust, allergens, mold spores and a host of germs.

Categories: air ducts, clean air, dust, Environmental Wellness, mold

Easy Ways to Keep your Asthma and Allergies from Flaring Up

Allergies and asthma attacks are a fact of life for many, but they don’t have to make life totally miserable. If they get out of hand, allergies or asthma can not only cause discomfort, but they can lead to hospitalizations and other medical complications. Fortunately, there are ways you can try to keep asthma and allergies from flaring up.

 

1. Contain pet dander

We love our pets, so it’s tough to blame them for our problems. Pet dander is a common allergen. If something at home triggers asthma or allergy symptoms, first try restricting the animal. Keep them from the area where you spend the most time, especially the bedroom. If this does not bring relief and the pet is indeed the issue, you may need to resort to a pet-free home. Allergy shots and medication are also an option for people who can’t bear to part with their pet, but don’t want to live with uncomfortable allergy symptoms like a runny nose and itchy eyes.

 

2. Fix leaky pipes

Are there water leaks under the sink, in the bathroom or in the basement that need repair? These areas are prone to grow black mold, one of the most serious health risks. Mold spores love moisture which can trigger allergic reactions and make some people severely ill. Be sure the bathroom has an exhaust fan in good working order, and take care of all leaks. Children are most likely to run health risks from mold because their immune systems are still not fully developed.

 

3. Replace AC filters

Air conditioner filters trap allergens. Pollen, dust, mold spores and animal dander will remain in the filter until it is full. Depending on the type of filters you use and the environment in and outside your home, a good rule of thumb is to replace the filters every 3 to 6 months. If you live in a climate like Arizona where you rely heavily on your air conditioner, you may need to contact a professional of duct cleaning in Phoenix on a more regular basis. Clean filters mean the allergens continue to be trapped and are not circulating around the house where you can breathe them in.

 

4. Control the dust

Dust, pollen, mold spores and animal dander circulate around the home in the air, and lodge in furniture and carpeting. Dust tables, entertainment centers, shelves and other furniture often and regularly wipe down windowsills with a damp cloth. Rather than dusting with a dry cloth, try using a wet cloth to trap the dust effectively rather than spread it around the home again. Furniture and carpets should be vacuumed once or twice a week. When cleaning, be sure to wear a dust mask.

 

5. Cover bedding

Most asthmatic attacks are attributed to dust mites. The microscopic bugs like warm, humid environments with a special preference for bedding and carpeting. Pillows, mattresses and box springs can be protected with airtight covers. Bedding should be washed weekly in hot water, and sheets and covers dried in a hot dryer.

 

There are ways to minimize allergy symptoms. The trick is to learn which irritants affect you and avoid the triggers. Keeping a clean and well maintained home will ensure that your family stays healthy without having to suffer from daily allergies or asthma attacks. Although there may still be things in your home that trigger symptoms, basic cleaning and maintenance is a good place to start.

Categories: Air Conditioner, allergies, Allergy Symptoms, animal dander, Asthma, Asthma Attacks, dust, health concerns, Health Risks, Home, mold spores, Pet Dander, pets

Office Hygiene: How to Avoid Allergy Triggers at Work

People spend majority of their time at the office, maybe even more so than they do at home, especially if they are workaholics who always do overtime. However, the long hours spent at work can be rendered unproductive in the case of an employee who has allergies. The office after all is home to several hot-spots for allergens and they can take its toll on the health of allergy sufferers. If you suffer from allergies, here are some of the things you can do to avoid triggering your allergies.

Clean Your Desk Daily

One of the things that I am obsessive-compulsive about is cleaning my desk. When I come back to the office after the weekend, there is always this thin sheet of dust covering its surface. I usually wipe it with alcohol and tissue to remove every speck of dust. If I forget to, my arms often feel itchy after contact with my desk and dust mites. It’s even more vital to clean your desk daily especially if you’re sharing your cubicle with another person who is on graveyard shift. You never know the germs that might be left behind. Your cubemate may have sneezed on your keyboard and pass on colds or flu to you without you knowing. Some may find it a hassle to clean every day, but when it comes to safeguarding your health, you can’t afford not to be vigilant.

Vacuum Frequently

There is a need to vacuum your office frequently, especially if you have a carpeted floor. Carpets are a hot spot for dust mites. If your floor is concrete and you have a carpet covering it, there is chance for moisture to become trapped. When this happens, it becomes a breeding ground for dust mites, and it also allow molds to thrive. Another reason why vacuuming must be done frequently is because of the pet hairs that might have found their way into the building by those who own cats or dogs. Those who are allergic to pet hair will be affected by this and their performance at work will suffer. This is why I believe it’s important for any company to invest in a smart vacuum cleaner. There are brands like Neato Robotics that have a range of smart floor cleaners, including a model designed to pick up allergens and hard-to-remove pet hair.

Maintain Good Air Filtration

Pollen is a seasonal allergen that can find its way inside the office through ventilation or when windows are opened and closed. Air filters must be changed frequently while the heating system as well as the air conditioning system must be maintained at least twice a year. This is to ensure clean air inside the office. To maintain good air filtration, there is also a need to reduce the amount of indoor plants in the office. Although they help in cleansing the air by absorbing carbon dioxide, it is acts like a double-edged sword. You may have had good intentions in placing plants inside the office for a splash of color and for health purposes, but the downside to this green measure is that they can harbor molds. The danger in this is that molds can release spores, which in turn can cause an allergic reaction among allergy-prone employees.

About the Author

Based in San Diego California, Tiffany Matthews is a professional writer with over 5 years of writing experience. She also blogs about travel, fashion, and anything under the sun at wordbaristas.com, a group blog that she shares with her good friends. In her free time, she likes to travel, read books, and watch movies. You can find her on Twitter as @TiffyCat87.

Categories: air filtration, Allergy Triggers, desk, desk daily, dust, Dust Mites, frequently, health, office, Office Hygiene, pet hair, work

Asthma: Why Dust In The Air Can Trigger Attacks

In Dubai, weather warnings have been released stating that high winds will wreak havoc on cities and towns. These winds will pick up dust, creating dust storms and rain. The high speeds of the winds and sands will decrease visibility, too. The most important factor of this weather though is the effect it will have on people with respiratory issues. Those stating the report have explained that anyone with asthma should either wear a mask or avoid heading out into the weather if at all possible. Doctors in Dubai have noted that there has been a 20 percent increase in patients with upper respiratory complications since the arrival of such extreme weather.

Such sandstorms contain two types of particles, one of which is coarse and one which is fine. Generally, the fine particles cause more damage to people with asthma. GPs have advised that anyone who suffers from asthma should continue to take medication during this weather, even if staying indoors. They suggested that if patients are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath and severe cough, they should seek medical advice as soon as possible in case of an attack.

Asthma is a respiratory condition which affects one’s ability to breathe easily – irritants and particles cause the airways to create an anti-inflammatory attack on the body, which causes the airways to swell and constrict. People suffering from asthma can help to reduce the risk of an attack through limiting their exposure to excess dust and mould spores, chemicals in the air such as air fresheners, and perfumes. Exercising helps to open up the lungs, so light physical activity once or twice a week can help. It’s important to take it easy with exercise though, as it can have an adverse effect – speak to your GP if you’re unsure which forms of exercise are best for the severity of your condition.

Asthma: Why Dust In The Air Can Trigger Attacks

Categories: Asthma, Attack, dust, Stormy Weather, weather, Winds

What is a Dust Mite allergy and How Do You Treat it?

A housemite or dust mite allergy is a hypersensitivity to the proteins excreted by dust mites. This protein irritated the respiratory passages, leading to problems such as asthma and hay fever, in addition to a dust allergy. It can also increase the impact of atopic dermatitis in people who already suffer from this problem. House mites are found in every home and are microscopic organisms which thrive in hot places and humid homes, where there is plenty of skin cells for them to feast on. It’s for this reason that they tend to live in beds, as there is a large quantity of cells for them to survive on. As we spend a third of our day in bed, we end up inhaling a large amount of these allergens. As previously mentioned, the excretion of the mites is the cause of the problem. This product contains a number of proteins which are inhaled or touch the skin, which leads the body to produce antibodies. These set off a chemical reaction where the body produces copious amounts of histamine, a hormone which results in swelling and irritation of the upper respiratory passages. The result is the same sort of symptoms that we associate with hay fever and asthma – wheezing, rashes and coughing. These allergies are often hereditary.

Dust musts, unlike pollen, are around all year so they lead to a constant allergy – also known as perennial allergic rhinitis. The mites’ excrement dries out and can be catapulted into the air the moment someone sits on a chair, walks over the carpet or shakes the duvet on the bed. As such, people get constant symptoms when they’re in the home. These symptoms include watery or itchy eyes, runny nose or sneezing, difficulties with your breathing and infantile eczema. There are certain triggers which can make your symptoms worse as well, including car fumes, tobacco smoke and other air pollutants. It can be difficult to diagnose this problem as many of the symptoms are akin to those in other conditions as well, however blood tests and skin tests can determine if you have a dust allergy.

It’s advised that you avoid the triggers of this allergy in order to limit your hypersensitivity to dust mites. People suffering with perennial rhinitis, inflamed mucus membrane of the nose, or have a dust mite allergy should try to adapt their homes and lifestyles accordingly to accommodate. For example, having as little furniture as possible in which the mites can live is a good idea – this will reduce the amount of mites living in your home, and as such reduce your symptoms. Likewise, you should keep the home as clean as possible by regularly vacuuming, washing bed linen as often as possible, and cleaning woodwork and walls with a clean damp cloth to pick up any debris. Only aim to use rugs which can be washed once a week, and the same for your cotton sheets or blankets around the home. Don’t use woollen blankets or quilts, as these are easier for mite to bury into and survive for longer. If you have an allergy, you’re predisposed to other inflammatory problems, such as otitis, which is inflammation of the ear. You may also suffer from chronic fatigue and have trouble sleeping, as well as being more prone to asthma. If you think you may have an allergy to dust mites, or other irritants, speak to your GP who can provide you with anti-histamines. These are available over the counter in pharmacies as well, but you should be advised by your GP beforehand in case.

Categories: allergy, Asthma, dust

5 Tips for Spring Cleaning to Keep Asthma Allergies at Bay

Spring cleaning might seem the ideal solution to ridding your home of the dust and mites that can trigger asthma and allergies. But there’s more to achieving an allergy-free home than simply dusting and vacuuming behind the sofa.

Half-hearted cleaning does little more than move dust from spot to another while using certain cleaning products that contain chemicals can also add to the problem and actually make asthma and allergies worse.

Here are 5 tips to ensure your spring cleaning keeps your home and health in tip-top condition.

Keep dust to a minimum by using moist cloths or disposable wet dusting cloths to stop the dust going into the air. You can also buy dry dusters that are specially formulated to trap dust and stop it spreading.

Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, which removes dust and allergens more effectively than a normal vacuum.

If you have a pet, you need to deal with the pet dander that your animal will naturally shed – this is a combination of dead skin and hair, which will get into carpets, soft furnishings and clothing. Keep your pets out of the bedroom at all times and change your bed regularly, washing linens in a  wash of at least 40˚ to get rid of any unwanted dander or mites. Use anti-allergy bed linens.

Mould and dampness can be a major irritant to asthma sufferers and those with allergies. Air rooms thoroughly and use cleaning products to clean and kill any mould.

Take down curtains regularly and air or wash them to remove any dust or mites. If possible, replace curtains with blinds that can be wiped down and reduce the amount of dust in a room.

5 Tips for Spring Cleaning to Keep Asthma Allergies at Bay

Categories: allergens, allergies, Asthma, cleaning, Cleaning Products, dust, house cleaning, spring, spring cleaning