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Dust, Pet & Mould Allergens – The Unwanted Autumn Visitors
The arrival of autumn means that we start spending more time with the family indoors at home – more time in the company of dust, pet and mould allergens. For many children and parents this can result in unpleasant and even debilitating symptoms caused by allergies to these airborne particles. However, there are many things you can do at home to help reduce airborne allergies expert Max Wiseberg has some useful tips.
• Vacuum the house regularly, especially beds and fabrics to reduce the number of dust and pet allergen particles.
• Damp dust surfaces regularly, to reduce allergens on surfaces whilst avoiding dispersing them into the air.
• Wash bedding very regularly to remove allergens. Anti-allergy bedding made from ‘intelligent fibres’ can be very helpful for children and adults who suffer from dust mite allergies. They limit the growth of dust mite allergens and also keep them away from the skin. Check out the Allergy UK approved range.
• Keep your children's cuddly toys and blankets in a cupboard to prevent the build-up of allergens on them.
• Apply an organic drug-free allergen barrier balm around your child's or your nostrils and the bones of the eyes in the morning, throughout the day and at night to trap dust, pet and mould allergens before they enter the body.
• Avoid drying clothes indoors over a radiator, as this increases the humidity in your home and can result in mould, which releases tiny spores into the air that you breathe.
• Mould and dust mites thrive in moist environments. Try to keep the humidity in your house between 40% and 20% to control these allergens. Make sure your house is well ventilated and/or use a dehumidifier.
• Be careful when using harsh chemicals for cleaning. The fumes can exacerbate breathing problems (a common trigger for asthma) and cause skin irritation.
• Shower at night before going to bed, to remove dust and pet allergens from your hair and body.
• If you own a pet, ensure that it is well groomed and shampooed as much as possible to remove pet allergens and dust particles.
• Try using an air conditioner preferably with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Arresting) filter to capture the dust particles, cool and circulate the air.”
Max Wiseberg is an expert in airborne allergies and creator of HayMax the organic allergen barrier balm.