{"id":5705,"date":"2019-04-22T14:12:08","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T14:12:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=5705"},"modified":"2021-11-10T14:26:44","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T14:26:44","slug":"14-things-at-your-home-that-cause-sinusitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-things-at-your-home-that-cause-sinusitis\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Things at Your Home That Cause Sinusitis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you constantly find yourself suffering from sinusitis, chances are that you may blame it on any number of things. Chronic sinusitis occurs when the tissue lining of the sinuses becomes inflamed. This can cause an infection as well as the onset of other symptoms such as thickened mucus, sinus headaches, fever, and congested nasal passages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there are many different things that can cause you to suffer from chronic sinusitis, chances are that there are things right inside of your home that you may not even be thinking about what could be the cause of your chronic sinus issues. If you are suffering from sinusitis that is simply not clearing up, chances are there is something in your home that is the culprit. Take a look around for some of these things that could be the cause of your chronic sinusitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Dust<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to cleaning it can be quite easy to vacuum and dust the surfaces of your home. However, some of those hard-to-reach areas are often ignored. The blinds and ventilators, curtain rails, high shelves, and other nooks and crannies located throughout the home are often the ones that we fail to clean on a regular basis and these are the location where dust often settles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live in an area that is especially dusty or windy, make sure that you are really paying attention to these areas, especially if you are suffering from chronic sinusitis<\/a>. While it might seem that the vacuum is the best option for cleaning these areas, you may want to keep in mind that the vacuum could be contributing to the dust issue in the home, especially if you do not clean the vacuum filter very often. Dirty filters simply blow the dust back into the air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Mould<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you hear the word mold, chances are that your mind immediately thinks, disgusting and that there is no way that you have mold in your home. However, it is important to check for mold<\/a>, especially in places that you may not think about very often. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mould is a much more common issue than most people think. It may appear by a leaky sink, underneath wallpaper, on a ceiling where a leak may be undetected, underneath your carpet after something is spilled, on your blinds or curtains, and it could even be on the clothes in your closet. If you are having trouble determining a specific reason for your chronic sinusitis and you live in an area that is damp or humid, start looking around. Some mold is not visible to the naked eye, so you may want to hire a professional to come to investigate your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Pets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No one would ever tell you that you should get rid of your pets. However, it is possible that your pets may be the cause of your sinus discomfort. While some people may not consider themselves to be allergic <\/a>to their pets, there is still a chance that your furry friends are the ones causing your nose issues. If you allow your pet on the furniture and in your bed and they shed hair, this hair sticks to these areas and could be the cause of your sinusitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your sinus issues are really bad, try to keep your pets off of your couches and bedding. Make sure to take your pet to the groomer on a regular basis and also make sure that you are running the vacuum regularly. It is also important to make sure that you keep your pet\u2019s litter boxes and cages clean in order to remove any bacteria and other possible allergens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4.Toiletries and Perfumes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Have you recently switched to a new perfume? Perhaps you wanted to try a new kind of soap or shampoo. Do you use scented hair products? If you have recently made this type of switch and notice that your nose is acting up, there is a chance that it could be caused by using these new products. Oftentimes, fragrances that are found in items such as perfumes and hair sprays can stay around in the air for long periods of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can cause a person to develop sinus <\/a>symptoms. If you are unable to find the specific product or fragrance that is making your head hurt, try limiting your use of any product that is perfumed. In addition, think about where you are getting ready in the morning. Spraying a perfumed product in a room that is enclosed and not well ventilated can also aggravate your sinus problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Cleaning Products<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to sinus issues, oftentimes it is dirt that is the main issue. For this reason, it may seem weird to mention cleaning products on a list of things in your home that may cause sinusitis<\/a>. There are many cleaning products that contain harsh chemicals. While these chemicals do a great job of cleaning, they may also affect your sinuses. If you are using regular household detergents for your cleaning needs and notice that your sinuses often act up after you have used them, try switching to a milder brand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many cleaning products available that are all-natural so they do not contain those harmful chemicals that may be causing you to experience sinus problems. Vinegar is a great cleaner and can help to kill bacteria and other harmful dirt found around the house. It does have a strong odor, but it dissipates quickly and should not affect your sinuses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Plants and Flowers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Having plants and flowers in your home can be a very good thing. Flowers bring in some color and plants help to keep the air inside of your home fresh. However, there are some types of plants and flowers that could be to blame for the bad health of your sinuses. Flowers that have a higher pollen count such as chrysanthemums and daisies can be quite harsh on your sinuses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

House plants such as the ficus create a sap that can produce allergens<\/a>. The sap can also attach to dust particles, causing issues for your sinuses. Instead of choosing these types of plants for your home, choose flowers that have a lower pollen count. There are plants that are known for filtering the air and these can be very helpful when trying to clear up sinusitis. One plant to consider as an air filter is called the mother-in-law\u2019s tongue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Swimming Pools <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you own a swimming pool, or if you swim a lot, chances are that you never really thought about the fact that swimming could actually be causing you to have sinus issues. However, high amounts of chlorine <\/a>exposure could be the cause of your sinusitis. There have been studies that have shown that there is a link between swimming and symptoms of sinusitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

High amounts of chlorine can cause a person to become sensitive to chlorine. This can aggravate sinusitis. A heated tub, sauna, or indoor pool can increase the moisture levels of a home. This can cause mold to form. As mentioned, mold can be a direct cause of sinusitis as well. If you own a pool, try to keep the chlorine levels as low as you can and make sure that there is no leaking and that there is no mold around your pool area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Smoking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is no real secret that smoking is bad for your health. Smoking cigarettes <\/a>has been linked to many different health issues, some of which can be fatal such as lung cancer. Smoking tobacco can also irritate the nasal passages. This irritation will lower the natural resistance to bacteria and viruses. In addition, smoking can cause inflammation and swelling of the nasal passages, which in turn can cause them to be irritated and increase the risk of developing sinus infections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are currently a smoker and you are suffering from chronic sinusitis, there is a very high possibility that the reason for this is tobacco smoke. The best possible thing that you can do is to quit, not only because it will help with your sinusitis, but because it will improve your health overall as well. Within just a day of not smoking the body starts to heal itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Local Pollutants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The cause of your sinusitis issues may come from external factors influencing the interior of your home. If you live in an area where local air pollutants are at high levels, it can affect the air quality inside your home. Unless you have air-conditioning or an HVAC system, chances are those toxins <\/a>are going to find a way into the air inside your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll end up breathing in the toxins, causing adverse reactions and inflammation in your sinus and airways. Some cities have worse air quality than others. You can use online resources to find out the air quality in your town. If your town or city has poor quality air, consider investing in an air-conditioner or HVAC system for your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An HVAC system processes the air entering your home, running it through a filtration system to remove all the foreign particles and elements from the air outside. A HEPA filter removes fine particulate matter like gases and pollen from the air, reducing the intensity and frequency of your allergy attacks or sinusitis problems.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. HVAC Problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you already have an air-conditioner or HVAC system installed in your home, it could be the source of your allergy <\/a>problems. If you recently moved into a new apartment or house, check to see when the last service date was on the HVAC or air-conditioner. If you can\u2019t find the servicing date, ask the agent to speak to the previous owner for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chances are the HVAC and air-conditioner haven\u2019t seen a proper cleaning and servicing in a while. Call up a local specialist, and get them to come and clean your HVAC. Specialist companies use innovative tools to scrub the air ducts clean. They\u2019ll replace the HEPA filter and make sure the fan system is working optimally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After cleaning your HVAC system, you should notice a significant improvement in the air quality around your home. The filter in your HVAC or air conditioner is the most important part of the machine to prevent your sinusitis from flaring up. The filter removes all the allergens from the air you breathe inside your home. Make sure you service it once every six months to avoid accumulating particles in the filter and ducting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Rooms with Low Ventilation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your bedroom or apartment has poor ventilation<\/a>, it can trigger your sinusitis. Rooms and apartments with poor ventilation let dust accumulate in the air. As a result, you\u2019ll find your eyes tear up more often, and you have a light cough. In a worst-case scenario, you could have mold growth in the room, and with no ventilation, you could end up with a serious respiratory and sinus infection.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ensuring your room has open windows or a good air-conditioning system is essential for reducing your sinusitis issues. If you\u2019re renting a room that has limited ventilation, consider installing an air filtration system. This unit is compact and portable. It features a HEPA filter that scrubs the air in the room, ensuring you don\u2019t breathe in the dust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air filters and scrubbers are typically cheaper than air-conditioners or installing an HVAC unit. They provide you with the most affordable choice for remediating the air in your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Not Cleaning Couches and Furniture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re renting a house or furnished apartment, you have no idea when they last cleaned the furniture. If the furniture looks old and has a material finish, it\u2019s probably full of dust and mites. Both dust and mites <\/a>can set off allergies and create sinusitis in affected individuals with sensitivity to these conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you move into a fully furnished place, smack the couch and look to see how much dust flies into the air. Another area of the home where you\u2019ll find a similar effect is in your mattress. When was the last time you cleaned your mattress? Our dead skin cells and dust settle into the mattress core over the years. If you don\u2019t clean your mattress annually, these skin cells and dust accumulate and attract mites that feed on them. A cleaning company can come and deep-clean your bed annually for a few dollars. It will surprise you what they pull out of it during the cleaning process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Overuse of Nasal Spray Products<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some people may develop sinusitis that causes them to resort to using nasal sprays to reduce the congestion. Anyone dealing with sinus issues understands the benefits of the instant relief provided by these OTC products. However, the nasal spray<\/a> does not suit extended use. Most patients must use it for three to five days at most before stopping use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you keep using the nasal spray, it starts to cause the opposite reaction. Instead of clearing your sinus, you find it clogs up. Using the nasal spray for longer than five days may also cause other adverse side effects. Some users report heart arrhythmia and changes in blood pressure. Some people develop headaches, and others find they experience a loss of appetite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, the initial effect of using the nasal spray makes people slightly addicted to using it. They persist through the adverse side effects for too long, and many of them end up visiting the doctor to break the habit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. Dry Air<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re dealing with sinusitis, you need to check the relative humidity (RH) in your room. With an RH of under 55% in the room, the dry air contributes to the problem. Your dry sinus needs moisture to provide relief from the dry air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some air conditioning systems and HVACs dry out the air, causing the RH to drop to uncomfortable levels that cause the onset of sinusitis. If you arrive at a hotel room or an Airbnb with air-con and start experiencing systems \u2013 turn it off. Wait for an hour or so to see if your sinus reaction dissipates or if it progresses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need to raise the RH in the room, consider investing in a humidifier or air-conditioning unit for your home. These devices add moisture to the air, preventing your sinus from drying out. You can run a humidifier <\/a>overnight in your room and add a couple of drops of lavender and tea tree oil to the water to soothe your sinus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>