Why Do Some People Have Seasonal Allergies?

Roughly 25 million people in the United States live with seasonal allergies, and if you’re one of them, you know just how irritating they can be. But why do some people suffer from allergies and others don’t? It all comes down to the way each person’s immune system works.

If you deal with annoying allergy symptoms, read on to learn why these health issues occur and what you can do to help reduce your exposure to seasonal allergens that may be lurking inside your home.  

What Causes Seasonal Allergies?

Seasonal allergies are most commonly caused by pollen grains that naturally float around in the air every spring. But it’s not the pollen itself that causes allergy symptoms.

Rather, it’s the immune system’s reaction (or overreaction) to the pollen. Allergy symptoms occur when the immune system mistakes pollen grains as a health threat and triggers a widespread inflammatory response in the body. That inflammatory response then triggers the production of antibodies that attack the pollen, which is what causes a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, trouble breathing, etc.

Who Gets Allergies?

Why are some people prone to seasonal allergies and others never exhibit any symptoms? Because allergies are primarily determined by genes, which means they can be passed down from parent to child. However, some people develop allergy symptoms even though no one else in their family has them.

In some cases, when people are frequently exposed to an allergen early in life or throughout the aging process, they become more susceptible to developing an allergy to that substance.

How to Help Control Allergen Accumulation Indoors

While seasonal allergy symptoms are typically at their worst outdoors, they can be problematic indoors, too. That’s because pollen easily clings to clothing, and when people enter their homes, that pollen ends up in their living space. Opening windows can also allow pollen grains to float into living spaces, where they’ll float through the air and cling to upholstered items.

To help cut down on the amount of pollen inside your home, you should:

●        Keep windows closed during times of the year when the pollen count is high.

●        Leave shoes outdoors.

●        Wipe down pets (if you have them) when they come indoors.

●        Cover your hair to prevent pollen from settling on your strands and irritating your eyes, nasal passages, and throat.

●        Vacuum upholstered furniture frequently (studies show pollen tends to cling to fabrics more so than other items in the home).

●        Schedule routine duct cleaning appointments at two- to five-year intervals to eliminate pollen from your HVAC system.

●        Install an air purification system, which will filter out pollen granules from your indoor air.

Dust Doctors: Your Twin Cities Source for Comprehensive Duct Cleaning

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, air duct cleaning and air purification can help reduce your symptoms indoors. At Dust Doctors, we specialize in full-service duct cleaning, whole-house air purifier installation, and HVAC cleaning and maintenance services, all of which can help control allergen accumulation inside your house. We’ve proudly served the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro for more than a decade and hold a long-standing A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

To learn more about our services or schedule an appointment, feel free to give us a call today at 651-319-9777 or request a free quote online, and we’ll be in touch with more info!