How to Prevent Air Conditioner Allergies Leave a comment
How to Prevent Air Conditioner Allergies: Air conditioners are important devices needed in our homes, vehicles, offices, etc especially during hot seasons when the weather becomes unbearable.
These appliances do a great job of cooling our surroundings making them convenient and comfortable to stay in. However, as cool as air conditioners are, they can sometimes cause some weird reactions.
Most times we do not know whether these reactions are caused by the weather or from the air released from the air conditioners.
Have you ever noticed each time you turn on the air conditioners in your home or vehicle, your body gets so hot and you start sneezing?
The only idea that might ring in your head is that you’re allergic to air conditioners. However, this isn’t literally the case as you are simply reacting to the contaminated air coming from them.
These allergies are common and you have nothing to worry about as there are ways to prevent them from happening. Below are things you can do to prevent allergic reactions from air conditioners;
How to Prevent Allergic Reaction to Air Conditioners
It is important to tackle some of the factors that are likely to cause your indoor air to be polluted. You must take the necessary precautions to keep yourself safe from allergens.
Install proper filters
Installing good air conditioner filters is the first step to take to prevent possible reactions. This filter gets so dirty sometimes and when it does, it should be changed.
If they are not replaced, they’ll keep circulating contaminated air. Moreso, if the filters aren’t changed, they can damage the air conditioning system, thus, disrupting its proper functioning.
Shut doors and windows
Ensure you shut your doors and windows whenever you turn on the air conditioner. This way you will prevent the polluted air from outside from mixing up with the indoor air keeping it purified. And this is only effective if the filters are clean or new.
Get High-quality Air Filters
This is an effective way of preventing allergies from air conditioners. Buying quality air filters can save you the stress of having to replace them all the time. Pre-filter and secondary filters extend the air conditioning system’s lifespan and reduce pollutants.
There are lots of quality and affordable air conditioners filters available on the market that can serve you for a long time. They are capable of trapping many contaminants of various sizes.
Clean Dust and Debris in the Atmosphere
Keep your environment clean at all times to prevent dirt and debris from resting on furniture appliances, or any surface.
Daily house maintenance reduces dirt, and also do not leave wet clothes in your living room as it increases moisture. Damp areas are hiding spots for molds.
Clean Ducts
Ducts and vents get clustered with dirt after a long time, so you must wipe out the ducts and vent every week to avoid system damage.
Have a Maintenance Plan
Having a maintenance plan is for the good of your air conditioning system. You will have experts come by the house to clean your system thoroughly. This routine is carried out once every year, and it purifies the air circulating in your surrounding.
How Does Air Conditioning Spread Allergies?
Have you ever wondered what could be causing these allergies and how it increases in a short time? The truth is there are lots of contaminants in your home that are less harmful but become so active in an air-conditioned environment. Examples include;
Mildew and molds that breed in damp environments. They are mostly found in places like cooling fans, condensate pans, and humidifiers.
Pollens make their way into your house through openings e.g. windows, doors. They are seen in plants and when contacted cause nasal congestion, hay fever, facial pressure or pain, drainage, asthma, etc.
Viruses and bacteria that are in the air cause chickenpox, measles when inhaled.
Air conditioners houses dust mites in the filters when clogged with dust and cause harm to us when they come in contact with our body.
The air conditioner also spreads allergies through air pollutants. Air pollutants circulate through the air conditioner filter. Dirty filters are breeding grounds for airborne pollutants, and that is why proper maintenance is advised.
Electronic experts recommend a regular change of air conditioner filters, especially during the summer or dry season.
Also, if you live in an area with frequent rainfall, ensure you clean your AC filter at least twice a month or better still replace them.
A clean AC filter prevents any form of airborne pollutant which are major causes of allergies, increases airflow, and prolongs the life of the system.
Air Conditioner Allergy Symptoms
To identify air conditioner allergies, there are certain signs you should look out for. These signs are coughing, dizziness, sneezing, increased body temperature, teary eyes, dyspnea. These are possible symptoms of air conditioner allergy. You may also experience issues like;
Fatigue, severe headaches, or body pain. You may also feel drained and dehydrated most of the time.
You are likely to feel dryness on your skin as a result of the cold and dry air blowing from the air conditioner. Your skin loses moisture and if it continues, loses its nourishment and breaks gradually.
Continuous exposure to the AC may lead to frequent visits to the hospital. Your body becomes prone to cold and negatively reacts in an air-conditioned atmosphere.
Conclusion
The purpose of this article is not to discourage you from using air conditioner systems but rather to educate you on the different health conditions you can be exposed to due to the lack of maintenance of these appliances. Also, to enable you to tell the signs of these allergies and effective ways of preventing them.
