World Allergy Week is April 4-10, 2016. We’d like you to know some important information about allergies and how to keep your family home clean and healthy. We’ll also provide links to organizations that can help you learn more about outdoor allergies and get involved.

Pollen and other allergens are the most common causes of allergies in spring. The number of allergy sufferers increases every year. World Allergy Week, an annual event organized by the World Allergy Organization (WAO), aims to raise awareness about allergic diseases and provide resources worldwide for diagnosis and prevention.

What exactly is pollen allergies (also known as hayfever)?

The scientific term for seasonal allergic rhinitis is an allergic condition involving the membranes surrounding the nose and eyes. We are all familiar with symptoms such as runny or stuffy noses, watery and itchy eyes, and congestion. Hypersensitivity to pollens in the air from grasses, trees, and weeds can cause these symptoms. Mold and fungi can also trigger allergies, both indoors and outdoors.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), approximately 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. It is the third most common chronic disease in children. You are likely to know someone who has seasonal allergies. Many resources are available to help you understand allergies. Each year, new treatment and prevention methods are introduced to the market.

The AAFA offers some prevention tips that include:

Avoid outdoor activities during high pollen counts.

Keep windows closed during pollen seasons, such as spring. Use a central air conditioner with a HEPA fiHEPA filter week, and wash your bedding with hot, soapy water.

Wear sunglasses and a cap when you are outside. This will keep pollen off your eyes and hair.

Chem-Dry wants to help you maintain a healthy and clean home, whether it’s for yourself or someone in your family with allergies. It has been shown that our Hot CO2 Extraction Process (HCE) can remove 98% of non-living allergens*.

Visit the World Allergy Organization to learn more about World Allergy Week.

Visit the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

*Based on the results of a study performed by an independent lab using the Chem-Dry Hot Carbonating Extract process. The allergens that were tested included dog and cat dander, as well as dust mite particles. The figures are averages across multiple homes.