Did you know that March 19th marks the first day of spring this year? While we welcome warmer weather and beautiful flowers, it also means seasonal allergies for many Ohio residents. Allergies can bring on a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, commonly known as hay fever. So, if you’re one of the many people dealing with allergies in Ohio, here are some practical tips from Monroe Heating & Air to tackle allergens in your home and help you enjoy your spring season.
It’s Important to Understand Why Ohio’s Landscape Causes Allergies
Before we dive into the issue of allergens, it’s important to understand why Ohio has such crazy-high pollen and allergy levels. Ohio’s got a mix of everything geography-wise, such as urban areas, farmland, forests, lakes, and rivers – each with its own set of plants and trees that crank out pollen. And with all this diversity in landscape, there are various environmental factors that contribute to making allergies even worse. So, we end up with a never-ending allergy season from February to November.
It’s Important to Understand the Symptoms of Hay Fever
Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is one of the most common allergies in Ohio. It happens when your immune system goes a bit overboard and reacts to pollen, allergens, and other triggers. Then, it starts pumping out histamines, which leads to all the uncomfortable allergy symptoms. As a result, these symptoms can range from mild to severe, and they can stick around for weeks or even months.
Here are a few typical hay fever symptoms:
· Sneezing
· Runny or stuffy nose
· Itchy eyes, mouth, throat or skin
· Ear congestion
· Postnasal drip
If you find yourself dealing with these symptoms often during spring and summer, chances are it’s hay fever caused by allergens in Ohio.
It’s Important to Understand the Types of Allergens in Ohio
These include but are not limited to:
· Tree Pollen: Pollen from trees like oak, maple, birch, cedar, pine, and hickory can trigger allergies, especially in the springtime.
· Grass Pollen: Grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, timothy grass, and Bermuda grass release pollen, causing allergies, especially in late spring and early summer.
· Weed Pollen: Ragweed is a major weed in Ohio that produces tons of pollen in late summer and early fall, giving many people allergies.
· Mold Spores: Mold spores are a common allergen in Ohio. Mold can grow on decaying stuff, leaves, and other organic things.
It’s Important to Know How to Deal with Allergens Using Home Solutions
While it’s not possible to completely prevent allergies, there are practical solutions you can try at home to minimize the impact of allergens.
Here are some tips to help you deal with allergies:
1. Keep your windows closed during peak pollen season (usually spring and summer).
2. Vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter to get rid of allergens from carpets and furniture.
3. Wash your bedding and curtains regularly in hot water to remove pollen and other allergens.
4. Take a quick shower after being outdoors to wash off any pollen or allergens that may be stuck on you.
5. Dust frequently, especially areas like bookshelves and surfaces that tend to collect dust.
6. Don’t forget to change your air filters regularly to prevent allergens from circulating in your home. Every 1-2 months is a good guideline to follow.
Fun Fact: Hay Fever actually affects around 1 in 5 people during their lifetime!
It’s Important to Know How to Deal with Allergens Using Professional Solutions
When it comes to finding quick relief, incorporating practical home solutions into your daily life is the way to go. However, there might be times when exploring professional solutions or services becomes necessary.
Here are a few suggestions you might want to consider:
Get a Whole-Home Purifier – The iWave is an awesome whole-home air purification system that can be easily installed in your HVAC system to keep the air in your home clean and fresh all the time. It uses ionization technology to zap away allergens, bacteria, viruses, and other airborne particles that can mess with your breathing and make you uncomfortable.
Get a Whole-Home Dehumidifier – When humidity levels are high, the environment becomes the perfect breeding ground for allergens like mildew and mold. But by installing a whole-home dehumidifier, you can reduce the moisture in your home, making it less likely for these harmful allergens to thrive.
Install A Smart Thermostat – A smart thermostat is a great option! It can track humidity levels, which will help you in your efforts to minimize mold and allergens. Plus, it can notify you when your air filters need to be changed,
Schedule a Duct Cleaning – Did you know that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air? Allergens like pollen, dust mites, and mold spores can build up in your home’s ductwork, making the air quality not so great. So, getting your air ducts professionally cleaned can help improve the overall air quality in your home and reduce those pesky allergy symptoms. And the best part? You only need to get it done every three to five years.
Like any of these options? Feel free to give us a call, and we can chat about what might work best for you, your family, and your home!
By understanding what causes allergies and their symptoms and trying out some home and professional remedies, you can actually enjoy spring without constantly suffering. So, take charge of your allergies today, and remember to reach out to us for all your HVAC air quality needs. We’ve got you covered!
Count on Monroe Heating & Air for anything HVAC-related! Call us today at (513) 540-4890, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
