How to Control Allergens in Your Home

If you or someone in your family suffers from an allergy, you’re not alone – more than half of Americans have some form of allergy, and some of the most common causes are right under your nose. Dust, molds, and pets are all key factors in provoking allergic reactions, and can make your life a misery if you experience a runny nose, stuffed airways and streaming eyes that typically arise. If you’re living with the enemy, what are the best ways of avoiding an allergic response?

Dust

Your household allergy nemesis, impossible to avoid because the chief component of dust is skin particles that you cannot avoid shedding. Basic cleaning routines that keep dust under control are a must, but the chief source of allergy provoking dust is a tiny insect that shares your bed. Dust mites live on your old skin cells and make their home in bedding, pillows, soft furnishings and carpets. The problem is not the mites themselves, it’s what they excrete that makes you sneeze. To tackle these unwelcome guests, remove as much of their habitat as you can by getting rid of carpets and soft furnishings, using hypoallergenic covers on your bed and regularly wash your bedding. To keep the dust under control on a daily basis, invest in a mattress vacuum from a specialist supplier like pickvacuumcleaner.com.

Mold

It’s easier to deal with than dust, as you can see where it’s growing and get rid of it straight away. Kitchens and bathrooms are prime locations for mold and mildew growth because they are subjected to higher levels of moisture from showering and cooking. Good ventilation will help by allowing steam to escape, so fans and extractors will effectively reduce the moisture content of the room. Keep surfaces clean and dry and check for molds every week. You should also keep an eye on your walls in case your house develops leaks or condensation problems, as these can start so inconspicuously you may not realize there’s a problem until it becomes serious. If you have a problem with damp in the home, a dehumidifier will help by extracting moisture from the air.

Pets

Pets can cause allergy attacks because they shed hair and skin cells just the same as we do. Pets can also get sick, so you should pay careful attention to your pets and consider investing in the best pet insurance in order to keep you both healthy! Keeping the house clean and vacuuming regularly will help to keep the dander to a minimum, and using machines with HEPA filters will be even more effective. Keep pets out of your bedroom and wash their beds and blankets frequently. If you have severe allergies pets are probably not a good idea – although there are hypoallergenic cat breeds that you may be able to tolerate.

If you do everything you can to reduce the allergens in your home, you’ll find it easier to sleep and your home will become your refuge again, instead of being a cause of your problems. It’s a good idea to keep allergy prevention and treatment medications like anti-histamine on hand for flare-ups, but if you do find that despite your efforts your symptoms don’t improve, you should get a checkup from your doctor to see if there is another underlying cause.