At Home Relief for Allergies & Hay Fever

Spring is just about to make its arrival, and for many people living in North Carolina, that will also bring on the start of seasonal allergies, known as hay fever.  When plants come back to life in the sprint, the emergence of new pollens and other allergens often have many children and adults in North Carolina sneezing, congested and experiencing watery eyes.  In fact, according to WebMD, “about 10% to 30% of the people in the U.S. have outdoor allergies. Doctors don't know for sure why some people have allergies and others don't. But if your parents have allergies, you're more likely to have them, too. If you have asthma or eczema, you're more likely to get hay fever or year-round allergies.”

Fortunately, there are plenty of unique, home-remedies that you can use to treat your allergies or your child’s allergies.  Here’s a look at some of them.

• Avoid the allergens as best as you can.  For example, if you’re allergic to pollen, use your air conditioner to cool your home rather than opening windows. Consider also wearing wraparound sunglasses to keep the pollen out of your eyes, when you’re outside.
• For allergies to dust mites, consider adding dust-proof mattress and pillow covers.
• Dust and vacuum your home regularly
• Make your own nasal wash by using one cup of warm water, half a teaspoon of salt, and pinch of baking soda.
• Take regular showers to rinse off pollen and other allergens. The steam can also help relieve congestion.
• Steam your face.  Pour boiling water into a bowl and drape a towel over your head forming a tent. Inhale through your nose for five to 10 minutes.  Add a few drops of eucalyptus drops for a menthol-like effect, similar to that of store bought vapor rubs and creams.
• Have a cup of hot peppermint or green tea.  Both have been known to provide relief to some people suffering from allergies.
• Clean showers and bathtubs regularly to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
• Wash your bed sheets frequently to rid them of pollen or dust.

If these home remedies don’t relieve your allergies or hay fever symptoms, you may need to see a doctor for a prescription, or to determine if allergy shots are right for you. 

True Homes is the largest builder of new homes in North Carolina.  True Homes are 40% more energy efficient than existing homes.  We have homes in nearly 100 different communities throughout North and South Carolina.  If you’d like to learn more about True Homes, visit www.truehomesusa.com or view our YouTube channel by clicking here.

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200 New True Homes Are Coming to Locust Town Center!

We are delighted to announce that True Homes and our sister company, Tribute Homes are expanding once again!  This time, we’re launching a new 200 home subdivision adjacent to Stanly County’s Locust Town Center. True Homes will eventually build 200 new homes, and to mark the inaugural single-family home neighborhood, four model homes are available for touring now.

With ranch and two-story designs planned for the Locust Town Center, True Homes in the highly desirable community will feature floor plans ranging from 1,600-3,000 square feet.  Locust Town Center boasts the modern conveniences of larger master-planned communities, including office space, shopping and housing in an entirely walkable community.  

Bob Barbee, Locust Town Center Developer said “We are especially pleased that True Homes appreciates the same values and traditions that we at Locust Town Center consider important to the continued success of small towns in America like the City of Locust. The opening of our new single-family neighborhood and eventual plans for 200 new homes clearly demonstrate the confidence our builders, investors and town officials have in the desirability of Locust Town Center for generations to come.” 

Located just less than 40 minutes from Charlotte, the city of Locust is a thriving small town with easy access to Charlotte, Albemarle, Concord and Monroe.  

True Homes is the largest builder of new homes in greater Charlotte, NC.  For more information on the new development at Locust Town Center, or to receive a Priority Selection Reservation visit www.truehomeusa.com

Why Indoor Air Quality Is Important To Your Family's Health

Even though you may feel as if you’re family is always on the go, the average American spends more than half their life indoors. Whether it’s sleeping, eating, or simply enjoying quality time with one another, the air that you’re breathing inside your home has a major impact on your overall health. As leaders in building green, family friendly homes in Charlotte, North Carolina, True Homes would like to share a few helpful tips for how to further improve the air quality in your new home.

Learn About Pollutants

Have you ever noticed your child sneezing when they aren’t sick? Or maybe

you’ve heard complaints of sore eyes, headaches, and an itchy throat without being able to pinpoint a cause? The issue at hand could very well be a result of poor indoor air quality and pollutants affecting your health. Pollutants like radon, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide could be seeping into your home without you ever knowing, as they are all colorless and odorless gasses that can wreak havoc on your health. To make sure you’re not exposing your loved ones to such harsh pollutants, it’s a great idea to purchase home alarms that can detect the gasses mentioned above as well as air purifiers.

Improving Your Air

One of the best ways to improve the air quality in your home is to pinpoint the source of pollution and control or reduce the emissions which can be accomplished in a few easy ways, including:

a. Ventilation
By increasing the amount of fresh and healthy air brought into your home, you can help dilute and remove any negative indoor pollutants. To accomplish this, try opening your windows for a couple of extra hours each day. Of course, if you live in an urban environment, or next to a busy roadway, the outdoor air may not be any better than your indoor air. Thus, you need to take additional measures to improve your home’s overall indoor air quality.

b. Filter Changes
Even if you have green appliances in your home, heaters and air conditioners

are still known to trap a ton of dust and debris. To ensure the best air quality in your home, make sure to check and change your air conditioning and heater filter on a regular basis. Air filters are graded on a system known as MERV, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Rating Value. The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient a filter is at removing particles. While you may think to install the highest rated filter possible, these filters can be prohibitively expensive and your system may not even be able to handle pulling air through them. Thus, you should look for air filters with a MERV rating between 8 and 12.

c. Humidity Adjustments
Did you know that too much humidity in your home can cause mold? If you’re beginning to notice a humid environment inside your house, try purchasing a dehumidifier to run in the large family areas of your home.

d. Air Purifiers
Air purifiers can significantly enhance the overall air quality inside your home. Many filters are equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that can remove the smallest particles suspended in the air. Higher end models may also include activated carbon to remove unwanted odors from the air, or UV lights that kill any bacteria and germs inside your home. Air purifiers are graded according to their CADR rating, which measures the amount of air they can purify in a given time. The higher the CADR rating, the more efficient the filter is at circulating air. Air purifiers can be expensive, so when considering a particular model you should be mindful of how expensive and how often filters need to be changed. You should also look for filters that offer the highest CADR rating/dollar.

At True Homes USA in Charlotte, we understand the importance of green, healthy homes that families can thrive in both physically and mentally. If you’re curious about the benefits of living in a True Homes community, please call (704) 271-1191 to speak with a sales representative today about our various housing options. Additionally, we invite you to browse our website for more information at: www.truehomesusa.com.