Allergen Action Plan publishes general information about indoor allergens, including dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, cockroach and other pest residues, and outdoor pollen carried inside. It is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and it is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. Indoor allergens are ordinary rather than exotic: EPA notes that every home has dust mites. What they mostly do is trigger symptoms in people who are already sensitive to them, which is why two households with similar levels can have completely different experiences; EPA does also note that dust mite exposure can cause asthma in children who had not previously shown asthma symptoms. Nothing on this site can tell you which allergen, if any, is behind your own symptoms, and we do not claim that reducing any allergen will treat, cure or prevent asthma, allergic rhinitis or any other condition. If you or a family member has trouble breathing, persistent congestion, or asthma symptoms that are getting worse, raise it with a doctor rather than with a product review.
We are not a licensed home inspector, remediation contractor, indoor air quality consultant or allergist, and nothing here is an inspection, a measurement or a remediation design. Consumer test kits and indoor air quality monitors differ in what they can detect and how reliably, and a reading from one is not a diagnosis. Decisions about remediation work, about removing or replacing carpet, bedding or HVAC components, and about whether a contractor is qualified should be confirmed with a certified professional and against your local requirements, which differ by location. Product recommendations on this site are editorial, may earn us an affiliate commission, and are not a clinical endorsement.