The habit of carpeting the floors is not very old because of an insight that it may cause allergies or else may lead to asthma. But in recent times, it has been noticed that people are frequently using carpets for their comfort instead of wooden flooring. However, some people, especially those suffering from allergies or asthma, still follow the same ideology of carpets being bad for asthma patients. So, “Are Carpets Bad For Asthma?” or is it just a myth came from out ancient culture?
What Causes Asthma?
The leading cause that can trigger asthma is family history, which means that if your parents or grandparents had asthma, then you are at high risk of developing this compared to any other person.
Also, there could be some other causes, such as allergies of pollen, molds, dust mites, volatile organic compounds (VOC), etc, and can also be due to airborne irritants, including cigarette smoke, fire of wood, and air pollution.
Between all these reasons, there could be some issues related to health conditions as well, such as respiratory infections, Gastroesophageal Reflux Diseases, Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis, Anaphylaxis, etc., which may elicit this disease.
How Can Asthma Be Connected To Carpets?
Now we know that some of the most prominent activators of asthma are allergens such as molds, dust mills, and VOC, which may emitted by carpets. You must be wondering how. Then the answer to this is: as soon as your carpet gets older, it starts to trap allergens in its fibers, which trigger different allergic symptoms in the human body and may further lead to asthma.
So, after considering these reasons, can we surely say that carpet will develop asthma in future. Let’s get the answer to this by few studies done by specialists considering this problem.
Are Carpets Bad For Asthma?
This chronic lung disease that may affect people of any age can lead to a maximal threat to your decision of whether you should install the carpet or remove it. That is why it is imperative for you to know and understand what carpets can actually do to your allergy or if it can lead to or escalate asthma in the future.
There are already several beliefs on whether carpet is bad for asthma or not. But to get a better idea and solution for “Are Carpets Bad For Asthma?”, let’s contemplate some studies and reports.
What Does Studies Says About Carpet Causing Asthma?
The National Asthma Council of Australia sympathizes that molds, dust mites, pets, molds, and pollens are some of the most significant asthma activators. However, this is not just because of your carpeted floor. That is why you cannot cure asthma just by avoiding exposure to these allergens.
Now, you must be wondering that you can improve the condition and manage asthma symptoms by removing the carpet. But the answer to this is no because your surroundings already have pollen and dust, which will settle on the wooden floor even after you remove the carpet. In fact, on the positive side, your carpet traps these airborne particles, which improves indoor air quality.
That is why the National Asthma Council does not recommend these extreme measures and suggests that removing carpet will not affect the level of dust mites in a home. Instead, they have recommended going for a good cleaning routine such as vacuuming, deep cleaning, and steam cleaning of carpet to remove these allergens.
At the same time, The Johnson Memorial Group suggested opting for short pile carpets or loops with tightly woven strands because it will resist dirt and reduce asthma triggers like mold and mildew.
But now the question arises that can carpet worsens the condition of asthma patient? If yes, then why does studies suggest to have carpet.
Does Carpet Make Asthma Patient’s Condition Worse?
If you spend most of your time in your home and, especially, on your carpet then there is a high chance for you to develop allergies or symptoms of asthma over a period of time.
Still, studies suggest carpets because if you take suitable precautions and maintain carpet cleanliness, you can easily build a dust milts-free environment in a better manner than a non-carpeted one.
How To Avoid Risk Of Asthma?
There are different asthma trigger points for everyone, but to avoid the risk of its occurrence, you first have to identify the reasons for its cause and then take precautions for its elimination.
These triggers are commonly available around you and are part of your habits. Let’s go through every possible reason so that you can identify them and circumvent them from your life.
- Wear mask while doing any construction work
- Clean you surrounding frequently to keep it free from dust
- Avoid smoking
- Get flu shots for you better health protection
- Use clean and protective bedding and pillow to reduce allergies
- Buy an air conditioner equipped with dust filters
- See a specialist if you find symptoms of allergies or frequent coughing
If you think that your carpet can be the major activator of asthma then take the precautions as listed below:
- Buy Green or Green Label Plus labeled carpet to avoid VOC in your carpet
- Vacuum your carpet everyday to remove dust trapped in carpet
- Deep clean your carpet for 30 minutes using vinegar solution and detergent once in every 12 to 18 months. You can also call specialists for this
- Steam clean the carpet once in a year and you have pets or you are already suffering from allergies then do it in every 2 to 3 months
- Keep pets out of your your carpet and home
Are Carpets Bad For Asthma? | Conclusion:
It is important to know “Are Carpets Bad For Asthma?” before purchasing your carpet. As due to this, you will better understand what kind of carpet you can bring into your home and what precautions you should take to keep your carpet dust-free.
Are Carpets Bad For Asthma? | FAQ’S:
Does allergy grows to asthma?
Asthma is not an advanced version of allergy; hence, if you are suffering from this, then it doesn’t mean that you are going to develop asthma symptoms as well. But if you have such allergy, then you have to be extra careful because there are higher chances for you to grow symptoms of asthma, in comparison of any normal person.
What kind of places should be avoided by asthma patients?
Asthma patients should avoid a damp region, as molds, pollens, or dust could be attached. Other than this, if you are suffering from allergies, you should also avoid places with high smoke or pollution or wear a mask before visiting.
What can increase the chances of causing asthma at home?
Untidy rooms with moisture and food can attract molds, and with this, it can also trap dust milts in it. It is better to clean the home, pieces of furniture, and carpets from time to time to avoid the risk of asthma.
Daleyza knows a lot about carpets! She has worked with carpets for over 7 years and can help with things like putting them in, keeping them clean, and replacing them. She really likes carpets and spends most of her time learning about new ways to work with them. When she’s not learning about carpets, she enjoys reading books. She’s really good at helping people choose the right carpet for their homes and making sure they’re happy with it. If you want to know more about carpets, Daleyza is the person to talk to!