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Allergic to Berber Carpet
Some people think they are allergic to Berber carpet when it's actually the chemical finishes of the carpet, or padding below, or the dust mites that have settled into the carpeting and padding that they are allergic to. People allergic to wool might experience some allergic reactions if they come in direct contact with wool carpeting. But for the most part, it's not that you are allergic to Berber carpet, but other things that have become associated with carpeting.
If you or a family member suffers from allergies, then I am sure that you are very careful about what you bring into your home. There are many items that can cause an allergic reaction due to the material that they are made of or the chemicals that are used to make them. If you are an allergy sufferer, it's more important you do your research to help save yourself the misery of health problems and the financial costs of an allergy attack.
Allergy symptoms can also be caused by contaminants that settle in and around items in your home, so you will want to consider element of your allergies as well. Many people claim to be allergic to Berber carpet, but it may not be the "Berber" they are allergic to. They may find there is a way to have the beauty of this classic carpeting in their homes if they so desire by finding out what.
Quality Berber carpet is a nylon or wood variety. These materials are known for there durability and ease of care. In most cases, if you believe that you are allergic to Berber carpet, it is because allergens have set up residence in your carpeting, including mold, mildew, dust mites, etc. This can be taken care of by have it cleaned with low-allergen and natural ingredients, by a professional carpet cleaner. Weigh the pros and cons to determine if this is the right choice for you and your allergy symptoms. If you are allergic to wool, which is generally a contact allergy, consider how much time you spend on the floor with bare skin touching the fibers before you reject wool Berber all together.
Another culprit that could be causing you to think that you are allergic to Berber carpet is the underpad. Some carpet pads have formaldehyde in them, which can cause some people migraines and other allergy symptoms if they are susceptible to this chemical. By asking for formaldehyde-free carpet pads, you can help decrease the chance that you will have this reaction. This would need to be done when you are having the carpeting installed, but it can make a big difference to your allergies if you are sensitive to formaldehyde.
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) can be released by any kind of carpeting and padding you install in your home or office. If you are sensitive to any of these compounds, they can cause various health symptoms, including headaches. With proper ventilation, it can take anywhere from 72 hours to several years for VOCs to dissipate. If you are sensitive and allergic to many different things, then you may want to have your carpet installed and then leave the home for a few days until the VOCs have been lowered enough to cause no symptoms. This is something that you need to consider if you have severe allergies or allergy-induced asthma. You may also want to consider putting a hard surface floor down, instead of carpeting, as long as it's been sealed with low-VOC finishes.
Is it the Berber carpet or something in or under your carpet your are allergic to? By planning ahead, you are better able to eliminate some of the issues that can cause health problems and by vacuuming and professionally cleaning your carpets regularly, you can take care of further issues. You may be able to enjoy the beauty of Berber without worrying whether you are allergic to Berber carpet.
Comments
I moved into a new apartment that had Berber carpeting already installed. two things I noticed after moving in were that they didn't put any padding underneath. The floor is very hard. I also noticed an unbelievable amount of dust. Is dust a characteristic of berber, and should there be padding? If anyone knows the answers, please write back to Gonaykid@aol.com Thanks
Charlie Shrem at July 18, 2008 08:01 AM
Hi Charlie,
It sounds like the carpet wasn't vacuumed on a regular basis. If the carpet is still in very good shape you might want to try using a shop-vac on it. Please try in an area that's not noticeable first, just in case the shop-vac's suction is too strong and unravels the berber. I doubt that it will, but you don't want to be responsible for paying for a new carpet. Better yet, call you landlord and tell him that you're unhappy with the nasty dust in the carpet and tell him that it needs *something* done to it. All that dust couldn't be good for your resperatory system to boot. Some states require that the carpeting is to be cleaned before a new tenant moves in, you might want to check into that as well. Good luck!
The Flooring Lady at July 18, 2008 11:46 PM
Padding under carpet is essential to not only your comfort but also to the carpets longevity. If the landlord chose to not pad the carpet make sure you aren't held responsible for it wearing out quickly.
What kind of dust do you have? Is it fibers from the carpet or dust that's like dirt? I agree with The Flooring Lady that you want to get that cleaned up so it doesn't damage your health.
Anonymous at July 19, 2008 09:44 AM
