Still Sneezing When Indoors? You Might Have Mold

Many people sneeze when they are outside amongst the flowers, but do you continue to have these symptoms when you are in your home? Here are three actions you can take to help reduce your symptoms & enjoy this summer more than last.

1. First, remove your shoes! When you come in from outside take your shoes off at the door. Allergens, dirt, and other debris can cling to the soles of your shoes. As you walk through your home you will deposit these items throughout. With allergens catching a ride into your house, your home is no longer a safe haven! If you like to wear footwear in your home, purchase shoes that are worn inside only. Another positive outcome of taking your shoes off is less dirt to clean from your floors and carpets.
2. Second, forgo opening windows at night to bring in cool air. This can be a difficult one for people who like to save energy or love a cool breeze at night, but it is important. Along with the cool air comes allergens, like pollen, that can actually cause you to have a worse night’s sleep. Screens can keep out bugs, but pollen easily gets through screens. You can still use a fan to have a breeze blow, but keep the window shut!
3. Third, this suggestion may be more controversial because of the cost involved, but many experts agree that a HEPA filter can significantly reduce the amount of allergens in your home. If a HEPA filter is within your financial reach, it can be a very good option.

So what happens when you have taken all these steps and you are still sneezing and coughing inside? Consider that the allergen might actually be coming from within your home. Did you know that mold causes many of these symptoms? According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America mold spores get into your nose and can cause allergy like symptoms. The spores can also get into your lungs and trigger asthma. There is no cure for mold allergies but you can reduce your symptoms by avoiding contact with mold spores.

You can reduce the chance of mold in your home by lowering your indoor humidity. If the humidity in your home is above 50%, it creates a good environment for fungi to grow. A good goal is to try to keep your humidity under 35%. Another option is to consider getting your attic insulated or your crawl space encapsulated.  Moisture in many building materials such as wood can cause mold growth. Attic insulation seals gaps so moisture cannot enter the attic. The thermal barrier that is created helps to ensure a healthier home.