How to Handle Allergies When Moving

A short guide with helpful tips on how to handle allergies

One of the biggest causes of allergies comes from the plants and flowers pollens that is spread through the air by the winds, causing irritations when breathing and allergies.

If you have been suffering from allergies for years, you probably dread every new season. And if your home relocation is imminent, then you have yet another reason to worry. But fretting comes from lack of information and you can be sure that there are ways to handle allergies when moving. The only thing you need is a short guide with simple but helpful tips.

What can you do before the relocation?

An allergy is a body's response to a substance it perceives as harmful. Thus, a substance that is harmless for one person, in another may produce an overreaction. Living with allergies implies a relentless fight against allergens and never-ending adaptation. If your immune system is under constant siege, it results in hypersensitivity to substances that are typically harmless. A good start to prepare for the season of allergies is to boost your immunity in advance and reduce the severity of your allergic reactions.

When it comes to your upcoming relocation, even if you're moving to an area where your typical allergens are not in abundance, something else can trigger your allergic response. Conduct thorough online research on the allergens in the neighborhood you're moving to and discuss this with your doctor. They will give you the best possible advice and hopefully connect you with a local allergist. They can prescribe or inform you about over-the-counter medication that can help you in the transition period.

Curtains made of fabric easily capture pollen, dust, and pet dandruff (all of which can cause allergies), so consider replacing them with roller shades.

You can rest assured that the decluttering and packing will raise clouds of dust you didn't even imagine existed. Dust is hidden in your upholstered furniture, pillows you haven't recently washed, and blankets made of natural materials. Sometimes, starting a healthier lifestyle after the move means that you might need to give up on some old furniture and buy allergen-resistant pieces made of metal, leather, wood, or plastic. Otherwise, you should professionally clean your furniture and buy special allergy-proof coverings.

If you're packing on your own, begin with the things you haven't used in a while. Wash them, dry them, and pack them in clean plastic bins. These reusable moving containers can be easily and thoroughly washed and do not cause allergic reactions in most people.

What can you do to ease your allergies after the move?

If you are moving to a new home, freshly painted walls or floors may still be releasing irritating chemicals. Maintaining the airflow in your new home to help the chemicals evaporate sooner may be a good idea if you're moving in the off-season when your allergies calm down. Otherwise, you will just let more allergens inside.

You can reduce the allergic response from airborne particles with the help of HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters. The mechanical air filter forces air through a screen that traps allergens and greatly relieves allergic reactions. Air purifiers with such filters can be placed in rooms where you spend most of your time or incorporated into your cooling and heating system.

To protect yourself from dust mites, clean your furniture regularly and buy special allergy-proof coverings to reduce exposure to allergens.

If you are moving to an older home, experienced movers from Homegrown Moving Colorado advise you to conduct a meticulous home inspection before you move in and your furniture is unwrapped and unpacked. Specifically, focus on possible causes of allergies in older homes, like mold or mildew. They might be growing in more humid places like the basement, the bathroom, or the kitchen.

The climate of the area plays a significant role in the appearance of these unpleasant and unhealthy fungi. Experienced local home inspectors will easily determine if your new home can cause you health problems or not. If the thorough inspection hasn't discovered any potential allergens in your new home, make sure to allergy-proof it before unpacking.

Allergy-proofing your new home

It is not enough to handle allergies only when moving but once you settle in your new home, too. According to the Mayo Clinic, you can take numerous steps to ensure that your new home remains allergen-free. The general advice is to maintain optimal temperature and humidity in your home (around 68°F / 20C° and less than 50%, respectively). Be on the lookout for pest infestation, as it produces allergy-triggering residue. As soon as you notice any leakage in your basement or attic, make the necessary repairs and ensure that the mildew is not growing.

Set up a cleaning routine. Clean filters in your home every month and wash your pillowcases, linens, and blankets weekly on higher temperatures of around 130°F / 54°C. To eliminate the cloud of allergens such as dust being blown out while you vacuum, use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. When you're dusting, use a damp cloth to clean surfaces as it will prevent the dust (and allergens) to disperse again. Remove the wall-to-wall carpets and regularly clean your hardwood or linoleum floors with gentle hypoallergenic chemicals and a mop.

Cleaning the floors with a mop and a damp cloth is a sure way to handle allergies when moving.

Aside from carpets, curtains are a perfect net for pollen, dust, and pet dandruff. You can either opt for washable curtains or replace the fabric ones with roller shades. Also, note that wallpapers capture allergens. Choose mold-resistant paint or tiles for your bathroom and kitchen instead. The furniture you will use in your new home should be made of hypoallergenic materials that are easy to clean. If you are a fan of indoor plants, note that mold grows in the wet dirt and causes allergies. To contain mold, you can spread fish tank gravel over the dirt.

With the help of the abovementioned tips, moving to a new home and handling allergies at the same time doesn't have to be a cause for panic. If you timely prepare for your relocation, you will not only stay healthy during the move but also enjoy the allergy-free time after the moving day.

Photos used: by Pixabay

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