Seasonal Allergies Need a Sirius Solution
October can be a scary time for Seasonal Allergy sufferers
Spring is the time of year that we normally think of when it comes to seasonal allergies. As the trees start to bloom and the pollen gets airborne, allergy sufferers begin their annual ritual of sniffling and sneezing. Although spring most readily comes to mind when we think of allergies, many of the same allergic triggers that can make us miserable in the spring persist into summer and even more so in the fall.
Fall allergy triggers might be slightly different, but they can be just as misery-inducing as the flower pollen that fills the air in the spring and summer.
What Causes Fall Allergies?
Ragweed is the biggest allergy trigger in the fall. Though it usually starts to release pollen with cool nights and warm days in August, it can last into September and October. About 75% of people allergic to spring plants also have reactions to ragweed. Even if it doesn't grow where you live, ragweed pollen can travel for hundreds of miles on the wind. For some people who are allergic to ragweed, certain fruits and vegetables can also cause symptoms. Bananas, melons, and zucchini might cause sneezing among a few individuals.
Mold is another fall trigger. You may think of mold growing in your basement or bathroom -- damp areas in the house -- but mold spores also love wet spots outside. Piles of damp leaves are ideal breeding grounds for mold, as are damp areas around your house, like the ground beneath your outdoor hose, or under your welcome mat.
Dust mites are also a problem for many. While they’re common during the humid summer months, they can get stirred into the air the first time you turn on your heat in the fall. They can trigger sneezes, wheezes, runny noses, and often misery. You may take cold medicines to get over the symptoms, but they persist because you’re not sick: you’re allergic to the tiny dust mites.
Pet Allergies affect a lot of Americans. Nearly 40% of U.S. households have a dog, and dog dander gets everywhere, including places where dogs have never set a paw. Cat allergies are even more fierce for those who are allergic.
There are many medications you can try to overcome these allergic reactions, including steroid nasal sprays which will reduce inflammation in your nose; antihistamines which help stop sneezing, itching and sniffling; decongestants that relieve stuffiness and dry up the mucus in of your nose; or allergy shots given by a doctor.
The Sirius Solution
You could stay indoors with the doors and windows closed when pollen is at its peak, typically from noon to early evening, and you can check the pollen count in your neighborhood by checking your local weather report. Washing your clothes—and your hair—as soon as you come inside can help.
A better way to remain sneeze-free in the Fall is to contact Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning before you turn on your heat for the first time. A fall check-up of your system, including a professional cleaning of your heating vents, along with a change of your filters, can make all the difference. Bits of mold and other allergens can get trapped in the vents over the summer and will fill the air as soon as you start the furnace. Sirius will also recommend that you:
Upgrade to a HEPA filter in your heating system to remove the pollen, mold, and other particles from the air so it doesn’t blow around your house. Indoor air pollution can be up to five times worse than outside because our homes are becoming more sealed – to keep noise out and heat in. But it’s not just warmth that gets trapped inside--it can be pollutants and allergens too. A HEPA filter, a High-efficiency particulate arrestance, also sometimes called high-efficiency particulate arresting or high-efficiency particulate air, is a type of air filter that traps even the tiniest particles to keep your air free of them. They cost a little bit more than a standard filter, but for allergy sufferers, can mean weeks of cleaner air and healthy breathing without sneezing.
Finally, purchasing, a dehumidifier to use can help. It will keep your air at between 35% and 50% humidity, which keeps those blowing specs out of the air.
Peace of Mind for just $129
To make sure the allergy sufferers in your home don’t suffer needlessly, you may want to join a Home Comfort Club like the one Sirius Plumbing and Air Conditioning offers. For a one-time fee of $129 the company will come out for two annual tune-ups, valued at $158, once in the spring and one in the fall.
In addition, becoming a member gets you 10% off all plumbing, cooling or heating service and priority scheduling! *
Well-maintained units are safer and more reliable, and even more energy efficient. The allergens in your home will be less and your allergy sufferers will feel better.
Contact Sirius Plumbing and A/C to set up your Fall HVAC & Heating check-up: (972) 235-6600, or info@sirius.com. The company is located at 1406 Halsey Way Ste 100, Carrollton, TX 75007 and serves the DFW and surrounding areas.
*Does not include replacement of major equipment. Major equipment includes, but is not limited to, HVAC system replacement or water heater replacement.
Author: Judy Porter, Porter People PR, judy-porter@sbcglobal.net