How Do You Tell If Your House Is Making You Sick?

1. Respiratory Symptoms – congestion, aggravated asthma or allergies, sinus infections.
2. Cognitive Issues – foggy thinking, sleep disturbance, frequent headaches.
3. Emotional Changes – feeling agitated or depressed.
4. Physical Symptoms – stomach discomfort, muscle aches, fatigue, rashes, sore throat.

Could there be something in my house making me sick?

Is your house making you sick? Don’t be surprised if the answer is

yes

. Toxins, pesticides, gases, mites, and molds are everywhere, and the more you’re exposed to them, the greater your risk for developing the health problems they can cause.

What are the symptoms of a sick house?

1. Respiratory Symptoms – congestion, aggravated asthma or allergies, sinus infections.
2. Cognitive Issues – foggy thinking, sleep disturbance, frequent headaches.
3. Emotional Changes – feeling agitated or depressed.
4. Physical Symptoms – stomach discomfort, muscle aches, fatigue, rashes, sore throat.

Is the dust in my house making me sick?

And living in it are microscopic bugs that multiply fast and can make you sick:

dust mites

. … Also lurking in that dust, according to a recent study by George Washington University, are more than 45 toxic chemicals linked to respiratory, behavioral and neuro-development problems.

Is something in my house making me dizzy?

Formaldehyde

. This is a common preservative and adhesive in furniture, carpets, drapes, particleboard, and plywood paneling. Breathing formaldehyde fumes can cause coughing, rashes, headaches, dizziness, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.

How do I test my home for toxins?

Some tests don’t even require kits: A

plastic bag

and a latex glove will do. You can save a bundle by testing for toxins yourself and mailing your samples to the same labs the pros use. At the very least, all homeowners should test for lead, mold and asbestos, says Than Merrill, host of A&E’s Flip this House.

How can I tell if my home air quality is bad?

1. Coughing or Difficulty Breathing. …
2. Sneezing or Allergic Reactions. …
3. Skin Dryness or Irritation. …
4. Headaches or Nausea. …
5. Inability to Sleep. …
6. Dust Buildup. …
7. Hot and Cold Spots. …
8. Unpleasant Odor.

Can a lot of dust make you sick?

You may not think it’s a big deal when you breathe in dust, but for some people, it could bring on a lung disease called

hypersensitivity pneumonitis

. It’s an allergic reaction to particles in the dust, and it can cause symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath.

Can sleeping in a dusty room make you sick?

1.

Dust Mites

. Dust mites live in your pillows, mattress and bedding and their feces can irritate you, causing cold-like symptoms, asthma and allergies.

Is living in a dusty room bad?

Dust allergies can cause

wheezing

, asthma attacks, bronchial infections, dermatitis and other allergy-related problems. Dust also contains chemical particles, including pesticides and other dangerous substances found in and around your home. Exposure to these may cause long-term health problems.

Could something in my house be causing headaches?

“The main indoor allergens that may trigger a headache are

dust and mold

,” says Mays. If you are allergic to either one, an allergy-free home may be the ticket to a headache-free home. Follow dust and mold tips such as: Reduce humidity with a home dehumidifier.

What in my house is making me cough?

Mold

. Its spores can cause a stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, and itching. If you have mold allergies, lung problems, or a weak immune system, these spores can lead to a serious lung infection. Mold grows where there’s moisture, so watch for leaks in plumbing, walls, and the roof.

Can lack of fresh air make you sick?

A number of symptoms can occur with SBS, and they include:

Nausea

.

Headache

.

Dizziness

.

How can I test the air quality in my home?

1. Purchase an indoor air quality monitor.
2. Evaluate health symptoms.
3. Monitor carbon monoxide and radon levels.
4. Get an air purifier.
5. Call an air quality professional.

What toxins are in your home?

1. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) …
2. Pesticides. …
3. Mold and Other Fungal Toxins. …
4. Phthalates and PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) …
5. Dioxins. …
6. Heavy Metals. …
7. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) …
8. Chloroform.

What toxins are in my house?

• Asbestos. A mineral that is resistant to heat and chemical corrosion and can be mixed with other materials to strengthen them. …
• Benzyl benzoate. …
• Bisphenol-A (BPA)and Bisphenol-S (BPS) …
• DEHP. …
• Endocrine disruptors. …
• Formaldehyde. …
• Lead. …
• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)