Could You Have an Air Conditioner Allergy?
The warm air hits. You turn on your air conditioning and you find yourself and those around you sneezing. You start to think, I can’t be allergic to the air conditioner, can I? After considering the air conditioner allergy theory, you move onto chalking it up to something more plausible: seasonal allergies. Though you might not be exactly correct with either one of your diagnoses, you could be on the right track.
Your air conditioning system and seasonal allergies may both be playing a role in what you perceive as an air conditioner allergy. It’s not that you are allergic to your air conditioner unit, it’s that you are allergic to the contaminants that are being circulated through it, which could include seasonal allergens and other nasty stuff. Let’s take a look at what is blowing your way and could be the source of your air conditioner allergy.
Contaminants that may take the blame for your air conditioner allergy
- POLLEN
Pollen often enters your home through open doors and windows, but can be tracked inside on shoes and clothing. Consequently, pollen can become embedded in carpeting and furniture, which contributes to seasonal allergies. Many allergists recommend air conditioning as a means to filter pollen from the air. Though if you live in a city that is not exactly bursting with flora, your air conditioner allergy might be triggered by other allergens.
- DUST MITES
Whether your home is located in the city or suburbia, it is just about impossible to keep your home clear of dust mites no matter how fastidious you are with your dusting and vacuuming. Like some pollen, dust mites are fairly large particles and the larger the particle, the quicker they will settle from the air to a surface, which makes these two allergens a more common and persistent problem and routine reason for an air conditioner allergy.
- PET DANDER
According to the Asthma and Allergy experts, as many as 3 in 10 people with allergies have allergic reactions to cats and dogs in the United States. Most of us love our pets and would only give them up for adoption as a last resort if someone in our home was allergic to pet dander. We’d likely look for other solutions.
- MOLD AND MILDEW
Mold, a fungus born in humid conditions, could be the reason for your air conditioner allergy. Many types of mold can trigger allergic reactions in a wide range of people and especially allergy sufferers, the young and elderly. Mold and mildew grow under damp conditions, including humidity and water leaks which could be happening with a neglected air conditioning system (more about that in a minute).
- BACTERIA AND VIRUSES
Your air conditioner could be blowing more than cool air. If bacteria and viruses have infiltrated your system, they can be circulated throughout your indoor space via air ducts. Left unchecked, it could lead to Sick Building Syndrome, when your home or building’s occupants start complaining about a variety of health issues, but do not have a specific illness such as the flu.
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