It’s Allergy Season in Northern Utah

As Northern Utah slowly shakes off the winter, the world will come alive again. Trees will bloom, flowers will blossom, and the sun will shine. For those with allergy problems, however, sunshine and roses isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. You can also expect stuffy noses, dry throats, and coughing; not the most pleasant experience. What can you do about it? Here are five things to consider.

1. Filter Changes

The inversion over winter and the pollen-heavy springs of Cache Valley can really aggravate allergies and respiratory issues. If allergens get in your air ducts, they’ll be spread all over your house. That’s why it’s important to change the air filters on your HVAC system. The filters will capture airborne irritants like dust, dander and pollen so you can breathe easier, but the filters eventually reach their limit. Once they do, they’ll start choking the air flow, reducing your HVAC’s efficiency and letting gunk spill through.

Our friends at Mountain Valley HVAC say that most air filters should be changed once a quarter, though some filters are designed to only need annual changing. Keeping to the schedule is important to get the best results. Combined with a good air duct cleaning, you can keep the air in your home clean and allergen free!

2. Natural Alternative Products

It isn’t just sinuses that can be a problem. Chapped lips and dry hands can be a pain, too. Low humidity, wind, can add to illness or allergies to make these happen. According to Michelle at My Ferr Lady Boutique, more people are looking for natural alternatives to petroleum based chap-stick and chemical pharmaceuticals. With pleasant smelling natural lotions and chest rubs, her products can help alleviate some symptoms while allowing your skin to rehydrate and naturally heal.

3. Nasal Irrigation Kits

The most common problem with spring is all the congestion. A good nasal rinse can help flush out the allergens and excess mucus, making it easier to breathe and reducing chances of sinus infections. They’ll prove useful during peak allergy season to make it more bearable.

4. Humidifier with Essential Oil Diffuser

One of the worst parts of living in a desert is the humidity – or more specifically the lack of it. The air gets very dry here and it has been all through the winter. You can try drinking more water, but what about at night while you’re sleeping? Adding some humidity into the air will help reduce snoring, sore throats, and stuffiness. I sleep with a humidifier near my bed to keep my throat from drying out. You can get an oil diffuser for it as well. Adding sinus friendly essential oils like eucalyptus or peppermint opens the airways and reduces inflammation, and the smell is nice, too!

5. Spring Deep Cleaning

Yeah, you all knew this one was coming. Spring means spring cleaning. We’ve been spending more time inside, letting the air get stale, bringing in chemicals off the roads and mud from our yards into the house, and the excess damp can be a perfect place for mold spores to grow. Now that it’s warming up, it’s a good time to get to work cleaning out all that gunk. A non-toxic cleaning kit with vinegar-based sprays, microfiber cloths, and HEPA vacuums can help reduce these harmful irritants without adding chemicals into the air.

Deep cleaning should aim to remove dust in places you don’t normally look, like under furniture, behind appliances, and inside bookshelves. In addition to the regular chores, we have a list of 5 things you should consider that you normally might overlook.

Don’t Let Allergy Problems Ruin Your Spring Experience!

Whether you’re battling allergies or just trying to stay healthy as the seasons change, these five tips can help you breathe easy in your home this spring. You should be well-able to take on whatever Northern Utah’s moody weather throws at you! And if you need any help with air duct, dryer vent, and carpet cleaning, we’re here to help! Get in touch with us to schedule an appointment today!