Allergy and asthma control begins at home. Many people with allergies stay indoors when outdoor air is full of pollen and spores. But dust mites, animal dander and even cockroaches can cause problems indoors.Eight out of 10 people in the UnitedStates are exposed to house dust mites, and six out of 10 are exposed to cat or dog dander. Cockroaches cause allergic reactions among people who live in the inner cities or southern parts of the United States.Controlling the air quality in your home, office and car can reduce allergy and asthma symptoms.
What Size Are Allergens?
Allergens are substances that cause
allergic reactions and trigger asthma symptoms in some people. Allergen
particles are carried in the air, but they will settle onto furniture and floor
surfaces. They vary in size and are measured in microns (also called
micrometers). The larger the particles, the faster they will settle out of the
air. Pollen, dust mite and cockroach debris are larger and settle out of the air more quickly than molds or animal allergens. You will notice many higher-end filtration systems reference micron size in their packaging and advertising.
Is Indoor Allergy Control
Possible?
With aggressive cleaning, you can
improve indoor air quality and reduce allergy symptoms. First, remove the source of as many allergens that you are sensitive to as possible. This includes pets, carpets, overstuffed furniture, stuffed toys, non-encased mattresses and pillows and bedding not washable in hot water. There may be more allergens on surfaces than in the air. Surface allergens can be put into the air easily by disturbing them by sitting or dusting, for example. Remove shoes and use entryway mats to control entrance to your home.
Will Air Cleaning Devices
Help?
The best way to improve symptoms is to
eliminate the source of the allergen from the home whether that is the pet or a heavily mite-infested upholstered chair. The next best step is to take measures to decrease the exposure to the allergen. Other important measures are to increase the circulation of outdoor air into the home and to reduce the humidity as much as possible.
Reducing humidity decreases dust mite
and mold growth. Air conditioners help reduce the humidity as well as prevent the exposure of outdoor allergens. You can reduce the number of outdoor allergens such as pollen and mold from entering the home by keeping windows and doors closed and the air conditioner set on recirculate.
Electronic air cleaners contain negative
ion generators that charge the airborne particles. The particles are then
attracted to charged metal plates or household surfaces. This type of air
cleaner is less effective even at the beginning and can rapidly lose its
efficiency unless regularly maintained.
What Can I Do to Reduce Indoor Allergens?
Control dust mites.
Keep surfaces in the home clean and uncluttered. Bare floors and walls are best, particularly in the bedroom where you spend one-third of your time. If you must have carpet, throw rugs that can be washed or low-pile carpets are better.
The single most important method is to put zippered allergen
impermeable or plastic covers on all pillows, mattresses and box springs.
Encasing mattresses works better than air cleaners to reduce allergy symptoms.
Every week, wash bedding, uncovered pillows and stuffed toys in hot water (130 degree F.) to kill mites.
- Vacuum once or twice
weekly. Keep in mind, though, that vacuuming will not get to dust mites
deep in carpets and mattresses. Vacuuming also puts dust in the air. Use a
vacuum with a HEPA filter or special double filter bags if possible. If you have
allergies, wear a dust mask while doing housework. Use a damp or treated cloth
for dusting. Leave the house for several hours after cleaning it.
- Prevent animal
dander. Most doctors suggest that people allergic to animal dander not
keep household pets with feathers or fur.
To test the affect of pets on
your allergies, go on a long vacation away from areas where pets have been. This
is preferable since pet dander can stay around a home for months even after the
pet is gone. If that is not possible, remove the pets from your home for at
least two months and thoroughly clean all surfaces including walls and woodwork.
Monitor your symptoms. If you still want pets, bring a pet into the house,
measure the change in your symptoms, then decide if keeping the pet is
worthwhile.
If you decide to keep a pet, bar it from the bedroom and keep
the door closed. Cover vents with dense material like cheesecloth. Because
animal allergens are sticky, you need to remove the animal’s favorite furniture
and replace wall-to-wall carpet with bare floors or at least a low pile carpet.
A better option is to choose a pet without fur or feathers. Some people, though,
also have been known to be allergic to lizards such as the iguana.
- Prevent entry of pollen by
keeping windows and doors closed.
Air conditioning in warm
weather is best and also helps control dust mites by reducing humidity. Change
filters often in window units.
- Avoid mold spores.
Reduce moisture around the bathroom, kitchen and other water areas of the home.
Dehumidifiers will help reduce both mold and dust mites. Limit yourself to a few house plants. Fix all leaks and other causes of damp areas. Clean moldy surfaces. Rid the yard of moldy firewood and piles of leaves and weeds.
-
Control cockroaches.
Do not leave food or garbage uncovered. Use poison baits, boric acid and traps rather than chemical agents that can irritate rhinitis and asthma.
Important Points: If you have allergies, use aggressive cleaning to get rid of the allergen sources.In particular, rid the bedroom of as many allergen sources as possible.
|