Allergy Control: Reducing Airborne Allergens in your Home
Jonathan Chase
Those who are plagued by allergies are always struggling to
diminish those irritants that cause watery eyes, runny noses and
rashes that sometimes translate into full-blown hives. These and
other symptoms can be brought about by a number of contaminants
that infiltrate the very air that people breathe within their own
homes. If you’re among those who are constantly being attacked by
airborne allergens, there are some positive steps that you can
take in order to reduce or eliminate the elements that are the
catalysts to allergy attacks.
Dust mites are the cause of many allergic reactions, and must be
eliminated from their most common breeding areas in order to find
relief. Since they tend to live in warm and humid places, items
such as beds, carpets and upholstered furniture are prime
breeding grounds for those miniscule insects. Living on the skin
cells that people and their pets shed, they deposit their waste
in all of the areas that they gather, wreaking havoc with
allergies.
In order to control dust mites and eliminate the allergies that
they trigger, wash bedclothes each week and dry on high heat; use
anti-allergen casings for mattresses and bedclothes; clean
furniture and carpets with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner;
dehumidify the air; filter the air with a HEPA air purifier;
perform regular housecleaning at least once a week, using
equipment that traps dust; and keep only hypo-allergenic toys in
the house that can be washed in hot water, rather than the more
commonly used stuffed animals.
With over 35 million people who suffer from pollen-induced
allergies, it’s critical that steps are taken to remove the
allergens that can trigger adverse reactions, such as sneezing,
wheezing, rashes and watery eyes or nose. Large quantities of
pollen can enter your home by traveling in through open doors or
windows, on clothing and hair – and on the family pet.
As much as we seem to love dry, breezy days, those are the
weather conditions that are just right for pollen to circulate.
Avoid being outdoors when possible or, at least, be sure to
exercise indoors, if you would normally do so outside. When
driving, be sure to keep the windows raised and employ the air
conditioning. In addition, you should also keep your windows at
home closed and use air conditioning or window screens with
filters; remember to remove shoes before entering the house; wash
your hair each night; avoid hanging laundry outdoors; engage
someone else to mow the lawn; and use HEPA filters on heating and
air conditioning units.
Those who own pets often have allergic reactions to their dander
and need to take precautions in order to eliminate airborne
allergens. Keep the pet outdoors as often as is reasonable and
wipe down the surfaces of the home’s interior; vacuum frequently
using a HEPA vacuum; wash your pet weekly with dander-reducing
shampoo and use anti-dander spray; wash your hands after handling
your pet; wear a dust mask while cleaning; and use vent filters
on air conditioners and heaters.
While it may seem like a great deal of work in order to eliminate
these airborne allergens from your home, the amount of work will
be significantly reduced if you perform these cleaning rituals
regularly.
Jonathan Chase is the creator of
http://www.home-air-filter-edu.com , a guide to reducing allergens
in the home through air purification and other simple methods
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