Allergy

[musicnursing]

I was visiting a LTC and Assisted Living today. I noticed that in parts of the LTC and Assisted Living, there was carpeting... Now I'm a nurse but before being a nurse I was an aide in a LTC setting and can't imagine carpeting with the residents...thinking of all the accidents and spills. The manager there told me it is "better for the residents with allergys, as hardwood floors just let the allergens just float around" I was floored... my husband seemed to buy into this way of thinking, as he's nonmedical. Just thought I would ask around here for any opinions on hardwood vs. carpet for allergys? I always thought of carpet as "allergy trapping" and hardwood as "allergy friendly"

[Hoozdo, ADN]

At least you clean allergens off of hardwood floors. I shudder to think what is in left in carpeting and the underpads of carpeting. This is the reason I have all hardwood or ceramic tile in my house!

[Alisonisayoshi, LVN]

I have a child with allergies our allergist recommended hardwood floors and frequent dusting/cleaning.

[amoLucia]

This is a little bit off the main track but related --- carpeting is horrendous having to push a med cart!!! It just makes the PUSH harder!

[Ayvah, RN]

Just thought I would ask around here for any opinions on hardwood vs. carpet for allergys? I always thought of carpet as "allergy trapping" and hardwood as "allergy friendly"

Its not opinion, its a fact that carpets harbor allergens and should ideally be removed for people with allergies.

"Wall-to-wall carpeting should be removed as much as possible."

Indoor Allergens | AAAAI

[morte, LPN, LVN]

The carpeting isn't for allergies, it is for safety. Less slip and falls.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

My allergist and pulmonologist recommended a home with as few carpets as possible. Swiffer is my friend.

[RLtinker, LPN]

As any person that suffers from allergies knows, carpets are BAD. Sure there are hypoallergenic carpets, but I am betting those weren't. Some people when they don't know what they are talking about will just make stuff up to save face.

Here is what a Dr. from the Mayo Clinic has to say about it.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma-triggers/AN01948

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

A few years back, my hospital had carpet laid in certain areas, including our ICU nurse's desk area. It was supposed to be some kind of special hospital-type carpet, treated and cleaned a different way. I have seen it used in other hospitals, too. I accidentally spilled an entire bottle of betadine on it, and believe it or not, most of it did come up.