4 Easy Ways To Keep Allergen Triggers Out of Your Home
4 Easy Ways to Keep Allergens Out of Your Home.
Perhaps worse than being hampered by hay fever or a chronic cough is knowing that four of the most common sneeze-inducing triggers lurk right under our noses:
Animal dander; dust and dust mites; mold and mildew and that seasonal debutante - pollen.
By keeping the allergens out of your home and away from your family as much as possible will help everyone sleep easier. Here are 4 simple strategies for showing common sneeze- and cough-causers the door:
1. Never Surrender.
Studies show simple changes in your home environment and allergen-focused basic cleaning routines can work wonders in minimizing or eliminating the symptom-causing substances.
Prevention - avoiding early and chronic exposure to allergens which flare the body's response, such as house dust mites and cats - is key.
2. Aim for Triggers.
Pinpointing allergy triggers and zapping them where they lurk is key to keeping symptoms in check. Whether it's
mold or mildew in the bathroom,
animal dander in the family room,
dust mites in the bedroom,
or seasonal outdoor allergies to grass, cypress, juniper or ragweed pollens, each can be stopped - fast - in its symptom-inducing tracks.
Get the scoop on finding the
right vacuum for the job here.
3. Down with Mighty Mites.
The droppings and remains of the microscopic, eight-legged eyeless bugs that feed on human skin flakes are the actual problem.
A generation of these nasty critters is born every three weeks, and the allergens continue to cause symptoms after the mites have died.
Regular cleaning
is essential, since the mighty mites thrive in warm, moist places, including carpeting, open shelves, pillows, comforters, mattresses and upholstered furniture.
Vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter or special vacuum designed to trap and hold dust and more. Wash bedding and jammies weekly in warm water and dry on the hottest setting - this second step is crucial to killing the mites.
4. Straighten Up.
Control clutter in your home - it provides places for dust mites, pet dander and all that stuff to congregate.
Check unlikely places for mold and mildew, and disinfect them. These year-round allergy triggers are commonly found in attics, basements and laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and around window frames.
To keep seasonal allergies in check, practice diligent avoidance techniques, such as staying indoors as possible on hot, dry and windy days during high-pollen and high-mold-count seasons. Close windows when the grass is being mowed.
Minimize outdoor sources by getting rid of dead or decaying materials, such as fallen leaves, compost and wood piles near your home.
If plants that you are allergic to are around your home, close nearby windows during pollen season.
Here's a few products you might need to get started:
