There’s so much to love here: distinct neighborhoods, iconic sports teams (hello Cincinnati Reds), world-class brands, trend-setting eateries and flowing craft beer — all nestled within the rolling hills of the Ohio River Valley.
While beautiful, the Ohio River Valley is essentially a giant basin where pollen, mold and pollution settle, packing a powerful allergic punch.
“I often say to patients,” says John Seyerle, MD, “‘Welcome to Cincinnati. It’s a great place to live, but sorry about your allergies.’”
The combination of a lot of pollen and a lot of pollution is much worse for allergies than if you were dealing with only one of those aspects. According to Dr. Seyerle, “Pollen attaches to pollution particles and is presented in a way that our bodies misinterpret as an infection, causing allergies.”
Additionally, new movers — those moving from other cities or even just across town — may be charmed by the stunning and varied architecture of Cincinnati’s older housing stock. However, older homes can come with higher levels of mold and dust mites.
Molds
Indoor molds target damp areas: think basements or bathrooms. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) recommends removing mold growth on hard surfaces with water, detergent and, if necessary, 5% bleach. The area should then be thoroughly dried.
Mites
To search for dust mites, look for warm, humid places like bedding, upholstered furniture and carpeting.
Since we tend to spend so much time in our bedrooms, the AAAAI says to start mitigating there first by:
- Encasing mattresses, box springs and pillows in special allergen-proof fabric covers or airtight, zippered plastic covers.
- Washing bedding each week in hot water (130° F) and then drying in a hot machine dryer.
- Keeping humidity low by using a dehumidifier or air conditioning.
Pets
And then there are our furry friends, or rather, other people’s furry friends. “If the previous home owners had pets, the allergens can stay in the house for over a year,” says Dr. Seyerle.
He recommends cleaning the carpets and vents, changing the furnace filters frequently, and even wiping down the walls and ceilings to help remove allergens that might be stuck to them.
Find an allergist in Cincinnati you can trust
Building a care team of people you can trust should be top of mind when moving to a new city. For allergy sufferers, get established early so you’re in a better position to manage allergy season when it hits. Schedule an appointment today.
Allergies aside, from the bottom of our mid-western hearts: Welcome to Cincinnati.
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