If you suffer from allergies, don’t worry – you’re not alone!

It’s thought that more that 1 in 6 Canadians suffer from allergies like hayfever or seasonal allergic rhinitis. Symptoms are caused by the way your immune system reacts to different allergens.

If you’re susceptible to allergies and you’re exposed to an allergen such as pollen or dust, this can trigger an immune reaction and the production of allergen-specific antibodies. You then suffer from symptoms such as itchy eyes, a sore throat, a stuffy nose, frequent sneezing, etc.

Allergies are not nice, which is why it’s so important to keep them out of the home. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to keep your home allergy free and create a safe-haven from those invisible irritants!

Clean often

It goes without saying that you should keep your home as clean as possible. If you have carpets, vacuum regularly to eliminate any dust, dirt, mold spores and aggravating allergens from sticking around in your home. Commit to dusting and freshening up your home at least once or twice a week, or save yourself the time and energy and hire a local cleaning company to do the job for you!

Start with the bedroom

If you’re waking up with a runny nose, watery eyes or a tickly cough on a regular basis, you may want to make a few changes in your bedroom. Cover your bed and pillow cases with dust-mite covers to help eliminate specific allergens, and invest in anti-allergy duvet fillers and pillows, as dust mites may be the thing that’s triggering your symptoms.

Prevent the spread of irritants

It’s important that you’re aware of how allergens can spread from place to place. Put a door mat on either side of your entryways – both inside and outside – to prevent allergens from entering your home. Make sure that you enforce a no-shoe rule in the house too, as allergens cling onto your shoes and easily disperse around the home.

Eliminate mould

Moist environments are a breeding ground for fungus, and mould spores can trigger the same symptoms as hayfever. Regularly wash your towels and bathmat on a high heat to eliminate any bacteria and remove allergens, and open the window or invest in an extractor fan to keep the bathroom well ventilated and dry.

Do you suffer from hay fever, or other allergies? If so, what steps do you take to keep your home allergy free?