Spring is right around the corner here in Arizona. Spring will have warm temperatures and with summer comes even warmer and hot temperatures. Dr. Michael Facktor, who specializes in allergy and immunology medicine at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, agrees that warmer temperatures adversely affect allergy sufferers. Children suffer more than adults because their immune systems are not fully formed.
One of the major causes of allergy reactions and asthma are dust mites, pollen and other allergens such as pet dander in the home carpet. Carpet may also have mold, chemicals, fungus and bacteria. Before home carpet is vacuumed or cleaned Dermatophagoides Farinae Hughes, or the common American house dust mite, can be found in concentrations of up to 100,000 per square yard of carpet.
A report by the American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology says “Approximately 10 percent of Americans exhibit allergic sensitivity to dust mites.” It is the dust mite waste matter that sets off the allergic attack.
Dust mites become airborne when the carpet is walked on, that’s when they can be inhaled and cause breathing symptoms.
Allergy symptoms can set-off responses like sneezing, scratchy, bleary eyes or symptoms of an asthma attack. Asthma can be very serious, require hospitalization and even be fatal.
The reason summer is worse for allergy and asthma attacks in children is four fold, 1) the ground is dry from the higher temperatures and there is more dust in the home, 2) windows are left open and dust and allergens blow into the home and land on the carpet, 3) the pollution levels and ozone levels in the air are higher, 4) plants are growing and pollen is greater this time of year, pollen can trigger allergy and asthma attacks. A study done by New York University environmental medicine professor George Thurston found that more people go to the hospital with asthma attacks on days that pollution rates are higher. Air pollution can be much higher in the summer.
A study conducted by the David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Centre, found that combating dust mites can help lower the level of irritation for asthma sufferers.
The Carpet and Rug Institute says on its website that “clean, dry, well-maintained carpet actually improves air quality.” The institute contends that carpet traps particles, so walking across it disturbs fewer particles than strolling across hard surfaces. “Result: Less dust in the breathing zone over carpeted floors,” the institute says.
1. Vacuum the carpet in your home weekly. Three times a week is optimal and some people vacuum daily.
2. When you have your carpet professionally cleaned make sure it’s a truck mounted extraction system. A circular carpet scrubber does not pull up the particulates in the carpet. Extraction power of portable carpet steamers is rarely over 2 HP.
3. The water used to clean the carpet should be above 200 degrees. Water at this temperature kills fungus, bacteria, mold and dust mites. This water leaves the carpet drier and extends the life of the carpet.
4. Have your carpets professionally cleaned at least twice a year.
Phoenix Carpet Cleaning expert Mark Masters has been cleaning carpet, tile, all types of floors, and air ducts in homes for over 14 years. His company is Hospitality Services Inc, www.hsiphoenix.com





