How to Improve Allergy Symptoms in Iowa

Iowans have to contend with allergies year-round, from high pollen counts in spring to grass allergies in summer to ragweed allergies in fall.

How can you get relief from all the sneezing? It can be frustrating to try every allergy medicine out there, only to have them fail or only work when there aren’t many outdoor allergens. According to the EPA, it’s time for a bigger picture solution as indoor air can be 2-5x dirtier than outdoor air.

The good news is that some indoor air quality improvements in tandem with a lifestyle change can help improve your allergy symptoms:

Let’s break down how these tips can improve your quality of life by reducing the daily impact of your allergies.

If your allergies seem to worsen no matter what you try, you might have a humidity problem. Iowa gets incredibly humid in the warmer months, with relative humidity levels at around 70% or more. Why is this a problem? Humidity levels above 60% can encourage mold and mildew growth in your home. When these allergens circulate through your air, they can cause allergy problems.

Check if your home is within the danger zone for humidity levels with a hygrometer. The best way to get around high humidity and alleviate allergy symptoms is to install a whole-home dehumidifier directly into your central HVAC system. This halts mold and mildew spores from being introduced into your home’s air, allowing you to breathe easily and sleep better.

Learn more in our blog, 4 Benefits of Installing a Humidifier or Dehumidifier in Iowa.

Air conditioners don’t just cool your home—they also dehumidify. Like a dehumidifier, replacing an AC’s filter helps prevent mold and mildew growth and removes other allergens from the air.

How? A clogged AC filter combined with the high humidity during Iowa springs and summers creates a great breeding ground for mold. The blockage also prevents the AC from taking in clean air and pushing out filtered air.

Not only do clean AC filters help improve your indoor air quality, but they also improve your AC’s performance and keep you cooler as high humidity makes the temperatures feel hotter. By changing the filter, you stay both allergen-free and cool.

UV light air purifiers are beneficial for any homeowner who wants to reduce pollen, mold, and other contaminants in their home while being affordable compared to other types of air purifiers. These UV lights are equipped to render contaminants harmless, easing the stress on your respiratory system.

The EPA has stated that whole-home UV light air purifiers are considered to be more effective than table-top air purifiers.

While morning showers are pleasant, one of the easiest lifestyle tips to reduce allergens in your home is to simply shower at night. Doing so will prevent pollen that has collected in your hair and on your skin from getting all over your bed. You’ll wake up with less congestion. This is the case even if you haven’t gone outside. Pollen in your indoor air can still collect on your body throughout the day.