I'm a doctor - this one household feature is slowly harming your health

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

A common household feature may be unknowingly creating an unseen health risk – and it's hiding in plain sight.
According to GP Dr Emily Carter, older carpets pose an unexpected health threat.
'People usually think of carpets as harmless,' said Dr Carter. 'But old carpets can be a major source of indoor pollution.'
Carpets are known to trap allergens like dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mould spores, and even chemical residues from cleaning products or smoke.
Over time, these build up in the fibres and can trigger or worsen health issues especially in children, the elderly, and those with asthma or allergies.
The difficulty is that this build-up can occur gradually - even when older carpet is regularly vacuumed or appears clean.
There are certain recurring health symptoms to be on the look out for that may indicate that your home environment could be be impacting on your health.
Signs include frequent sneezing, coughing, or itchy eyes while indoors, worsening allergy or asthma symptoms. Feeling tired or headachy without clear cause is another indicator.
Sudden skin irritations - especially in younger children – can also result from carpet-trapped allergens.
However, the tricky part with many of these symptoms is that many may be mistaken for seasonal allergies or minor colds.
Dr Carter, who is also a UK-based mother of two young children, said she had seen first-hand the health issues that can be caused by older carpets.
'I've seen it in my own family, my youngest started getting skin rashes and breathing problems that we couldn't explain,' Dr Carter said.
'After having our carpets replaced and testing air quality, the symptoms started improving.'
For anyone who is concerned about whether their carpet poses a possible health risk, the British doctor recommends a simple 'sniff test' as a first line assessment.
'If a room smells musty no matter how often you clean it, that's a red flag,' Dr Carter said. 'Especially in bedrooms, where people spend hours each night, clean air matters more than we think.'
For families with babies, Dr Carter also urges extra caution: 'Young children spend a lot of time crawling and playing on floors.'
'Their immune systems are still developing, so they're more likely to react to mould spores and dust mites. If you notice frequent eczema flare-ups or a child often gets congested indoors, your flooring could be part of the problem.'
According to My Home Improvements, most carpets should be replaced every 7–10 years, depending on usage, cleaning habits, and exposure to pets or dampness.
The UK home renovation business suggests that any carpet over a decade old is likely to be 'past its best'.
'Your carpet is like a sponge, it absorbs everything that enters your home. Over time, it collects years of grime, allergens, and chemical residues that vacuuming can't always reach,' says an expert from My Home Improvements.
'Even professional deep cleans won't remove built-up toxins that have soaked into the padding underneath.
'Replacing old flooring might not be glamorous, but it could be the biggest upgrade you make for your health.'