New Home Allergies: How to Manage After Moving

What Causes Allergies After Moving to a New House?

Allergies after moving to a new house can result from exposure to new allergens, changes in air quality, structural hazards, and chemical odors. Understanding these factors helps in mitigating their effects and managing your symptoms effectively.

Different Climate and New Allergens

Relocating often means encountering a different climate, which could lead to exposure to new allergens. For instance, moving to a different state might expose you to new plants and pollen types that were not present in your previous location, triggering seasonal allergies. Changes in climate can also affect the severity and duration of allergy seasons, causing exacerbations in symptoms for those with hay fever or asthma.

Change in Air Quality

The quality of air in your new home can also contribute to allergies. Indoor air quality can be compromised by various allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores. Indoor allergies are common but are often overlooked as their symptoms can mimic those of a common cold.

Hazards in the Structure of a New Home

Structural issues in your new home, like dampness or mold, can cause allergic reactions. Mold allergy, an indoor allergy, can cause symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, and irritation in the eyes, nose, and sinuses. Furthermore, older homes may have dust accumulation, leading to dust mite allergies.

Chemical Odors in a New Home

New homes can also harbor various chemical odors from fresh paint, new furniture, or cleaning products, which can trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. These chemicals release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, causing symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and skin irritation. Reducing exposure to these triggers and implementing allergy-proofing measures can help manage these symptoms.

How Does a Different Climate Influence Allergies?

A different climate can significantly influence allergies by introducing unfamiliar allergens and altering the severity and duration of allergy seasons. For instance, a warmer climate can extend the growing season of plants, leading to prolonged exposure to allergens.

Moving to a warmer climate may mean encountering new plants, each with its unique pollen, which can trigger allergies. For example, if you move from a state with a colder climate to a warmer one, you may be exposed to allergens from new plants that your immune system is not used to, leading to the development of new allergies. Well-known allergens differ by state, which is why it's essential to understand the common allergens in your new location.

Another factor to consider is the impact of climate change on allergies. Research shows that climate change can exacerbate seasonal allergies, especially for those with hay fever or asthma. Warmer temperatures can lead to a longer growing season, causing plants to produce more pollen over an extended period.

Lastly, changes in humidity levels can also affect allergies. High humidity promotes the growth of mold and dust mites, leading to increased indoor allergens. On the contrary, low humidity can dry out your nasal passages and throat, making you more susceptible to allergens. Regardless of the climate, implementing allergy-proofing measures in your home can help manage allergies effectively.

What Role Does Air Quality Play in New Allergies?

Air quality plays a significant role in new allergies, particularly when moving to a new home. Poor air quality, both indoor and outdoor, can exacerbate existing allergies and trigger new ones due to the presence of pollutants, allergens, and irritants.

Indoor Air Quality and Allergies

Indoor air quality can be affected by various factors such as dust mites, pet dander, mold, and tobacco smoke, all of which are common indoor allergens. Dust mites, for instance, thrive in warm, humid environments and can trigger dust mite allergies. Similarly, damp areas in the house can foster mold growth, leading to mold allergies. Therefore, maintaining good indoor air quality by implementing various allergy-proofing measures can significantly help manage and prevent allergies.

Outdoor Air Quality and Allergies

Outdoor air quality, shaped by factors such as pollution, climate change, and local flora, also plays a crucial role in allergies. For instance, high pollen counts, common in certain seasons or in areas with abundant vegetation, can trigger or worsen seasonal allergies. Moreover, research suggests that climate change can exacerbate seasonal allergies by extending the pollen season and increasing pollen production. Therefore, understanding these factors and taking appropriate measures such as checking local pollen forecasts can help manage allergies effectively.

Could Your New Home Be Irritating Your Allergies?

Yes, your new home might be irritating your allergies. This could be due to a variety of factors such as the presence of different allergens, a change in air quality, or potential irritants within the home itself.

Presence of Different Allergens

In your new home, you may encounter different allergens that you were not exposed to in your previous location. These could include indoor allergens such as dust mites, mold, and pet dander, all of which could trigger allergies. For instance, dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments and could cause dust mite allergies. Damp areas in the house can foster mold growth, leading to mold allergies.

Change in Air Quality

If your new home is in a location with poorer air quality, this can exacerbate existing allergies and trigger new ones due to the presence of pollutants, allergens, and irritants. Research suggests that a changing climate can also exacerbate seasonal allergies, making them worse for those with hay fever or asthma. This is because climate change extends the pollen season, causing an increase in pollen production source.

Potential Irritants in the Home

Lastly, potential irritants present in the home such as cleaning supplies, scented products, and certain types of building materials can also trigger allergies. By recognizing these factors and implementing allergy-proofing measures, you can help manage and prevent allergies in your new home.

How Can You Improve Your Indoor Air Quality?

Improving the indoor air quality of your new home can significantly help manage your allergies. This can be achieved through various measures such as controlling humidity levels, using air purifiers, and regular cleaning.

Control Humidity Levels

High humidity levels can foster the growth of mold and dust mites, leading to dust allergies and mold allergies. Using dehumidifiers or air conditioners to maintain a humidity level of about 30-50% can help keep these allergens at bay.

Use Air Purifiers

Air purifiers can filter out many allergens, pollutants, and irritants from the air. They can be particularly beneficial for those suffering from indoor allergies, making the home environment more comfortable for them.

Regular Cleaning

Regular cleaning is crucial to minimize the presence of dust mites, pet dander, and mold. Vacuuming carpets and upholstery, dusting surfaces, and washing bedding frequently can help allergy-proof your home, thus improving the indoor air quality.

By implementing these methods, you can significantly improve your indoor air quality, making your new home a more comfortable environment for those with allergies.

How to Avoid Feeling Sick After Moving?

Avoiding sickness after moving to a new house involves taking proactive measures to manage potential allergens. This includes understanding the new environment, maintaining indoor air quality, and allergy-proofing your home.

Allergy-Proof Your Home

Allergy-proofing your home is an essential step towards avoiding illness after moving. Start by doing a thorough clean-up to minimize dust and other allergens. Use allergen-proof covers on your mattresses and pillows to prevent dust mites. Regularly clean and vacuum your carpets, upholstery, and curtains.

Mold can be a potent allergen, so fix any leaks or damp areas that could encourage mold growth. Keep humidity levels in check, ideally between 30-50%. Ventilation is also crucial, so ensure your home is well-ventilated, especially areas like the kitchen and bathroom.

To help control pet dander, try to keep pets out of bedrooms and other areas where you spend a lot of time. Regularly wash pet bedding and groom your pets often.

By taking these steps to allergy-proof your home, you can create a healthier living environment and avoid falling sick after moving to your new home.

How to Manage Your Allergies After Moving?

Managing allergies after moving involves understanding the new allergens you're exposed to and finding effective treatments. This might include allergy tests, shots, and sublingual immunotherapy.

Scratch Tests and Shots

Scratch tests are a common method of diagnosing allergies. They involve exposing the skin to potential allergens and observing the reaction. If you're experiencing allergies after moving, a scratch test can help identify the specific allergens causing your symptoms. Based on the results, allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, can be an effective treatment. Allergy shots gradually expose your body to increasing amounts of the allergen, helping your immune system build up a tolerance.

Sublingual Immunotherapy

Sublingual immunotherapy is another treatment option for managing allergies. It involves placing a tablet under your tongue that contains a small amount of the allergen. This treatment can be particularly effective for people with environmental allergies. It's a convenient option as it can be done at home and is a suitable alternative for those uncomfortable with shots.

It's crucial to consult with a healthcare provider or allergist for a comprehensive allergy management plan. A professional can provide advice tailored to your specific allergen sensitivities, ensuring you're prepared and protected in your new home. This, along with at-home strategies like allergy-proofing your home, can help manage allergies after moving.

Live Allergy-Free with Wyndly

If you want long-term relief from your allergies, Wyndly can help. Our doctors will help you identify your allergy triggers and create a personalized treatment plan to get you the lifelong relief you deserve. Start by taking our quick online allergy assessment today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my allergies so bad after moving?

Your allergies may worsen after moving because you're being exposed to new allergens in your environment. These could include different types of pollen, mold, dust mites, or pet dander. Your immune system responds to these unfamiliar allergens, leading to heightened allergic reactions.

How do you tell if your house is giving you allergies?

If your house is causing allergies, you may experience symptoms such as sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, and throat irritation when you are at home. If these symptoms improve when you leave your house, it suggests that your home may be the source.

What are the 7 allergy symptoms?

The seven common allergy symptoms are sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watering eyes, itching of the skin or rash (hives), coughing or wheezing, shortness of breath, and swelling of the lips, tongue, or face (angioedema). These symptoms can vary in severity.

What are the 3 stages of an allergic reaction?

The three stages of an allergic reaction are sensitization, activation, and effector. During sensitization, the immune system recognizes the allergen. In the activation stage, the immune system responds to subsequent exposure. Finally, the effector phase triggers symptoms like hives, itching, or anaphylaxis.

What is the best medicine for seasonal allergies?

The best medicine for seasonal allergies varies by individual and symptom severity, but antihistamines, corticosteroids, decongestants, and leukotriene modifiers are commonly used. Prescription or over-the-counter options like Claritin, Zyrtec, Flonase, or Singulair are popular. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.