Chemicals used in some new carpets carpet pads and the adhesives used to install them can harm your health.
Is new carpet bad for asthma.
Some of these chemicals and glues are made with volatile organic compounds vocs which emit odors and pollutants.
Last medically reviewed on january 24 2019.
However new evidence says that carpeting may not be so bad for asthmatics after all.
The most common signs of a believed allergic reaction to carpet are headache skin rash and upper respiratory discomfort.
Most of the time the symptoms are due to irritation instead of an allergic or toxic reaction to the chemicals.
A great many reputable sources advise allergy and asthma sufferers to remove the carpeting.
Talking with an allergist can also help.
Those living with asthma or allergy symptoms have historically been advised to remove all carpet in the home because carpet traps allergens.
If you have allergies or asthma removing your carpet may be your best option.
There has been no evidence that specifically supports an allergy to carpet but some people believe that it is possible.
We have been looking for a new carpet for our hallway stairs and landing.
So here s what to know about carpet and asthma.
Individuals also have reported problems such as cough fatigue and breathing problems.
If that isn t enough replacing carpeting with hard flooring may be a good idea.
I know before someone tells me hard flooring would be better however i can t bear the noise of my teenagers stomping up two flights of wooden stairs.
We were told that wood flooring or tile flooring or linoleum were better for asthma.
I had quite a bad attack after visiting a carpet showroom and have now got cold feet about having the new carpet fitted.
New carpet installation also has been associated with wheezing and coughing in babies in their first year of life.
It is believed that this exacerbates the symptoms of these conditions.
There s a good reason for this.
Carpet triggers asthma and allergy carpet allergy does not exist.
What the experts say about carpet and asthma.
True carpets accumulate dust and dirt in a far greater extent than hard flooring however the critical point is often missed.
With new carpet this is thought to be the result of breathing 4.
Frequently patients with asthma or allergies experience a flare in their breathing or nasal ocular symptoms when exposed to irritants such as strong odors perfumes new paint or new carpet.
Carpet has long been regarded as the enemy when it comes to allergies and asthma.
If you do put in hard flooring keep in mind that all synthetic flooring initially releases gasses known as volatile organic compounds vocs that.