dear asking for a friend,
i have been noticing that my itchy eyes and sinus congestion are getting worse with the more time i spend at home. i have a lot of carpets that i love, but could they be making my symptoms worse?
signed, love my carpets
dear love my carpets,
indoor allergies can become a concern when you’re at home and indoors more often — and that soft, feel-good carpeting beneath your feet may not be helping.
allergies are one of the most common chronic disorders worldwide, and develop at any age, kicking in when your immune system overreacts to normally harmless substances in your environment called allergens, like pet dander, pollen and dust mites. in response, your body releases chemicals, including histamine, that cause bothersome symptoms, like itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itchy throat or nose, and sinus congestion.
carpet can be a magnet for allergens that settle into the fibres, increasing your chances of exposure to these irritants, not only causing these symptoms, but also potentially leading to more serious health effects.
a 2018 study by researchers at the norwegian institute of public health reviewed the link between carpets, indoor air quality and worsening asthma and allergy symptoms. the scientists concluded that floor coverings can increase the level of indoor dusts, allergens and microorganisms, along with the risk of negative health outcomes, including mild cognitive effects, irritative symptoms and asthma.
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