Daily Allergy Prevention Tips

Daily Allergy Prevention Tips

Following these easy tips on a day to day basis will help manage, prevent or even eliminate your allergy symptoms:

• Temperature and Humidity: hot, humid houses are breeding grounds for dust mites and mold. Try and keep your home below 75 degrees and humidity levels between 30-50%. Don’t forget to replace or clean filters in cleaning or cooling systems and in air conditioners and air purifiers.
• Use an air purifier in your home, and don’t forget to change the filter.
• Get rid of the dust in your home. Clean it with water as much as possible since that traps the dust so it can’t fly, keeping it out of your nose. To protect your mattress and pillows from dust mites, purchase dust mite-zippered encasings from your local department or bedding store.
• Wash your laundry, especially bed linens in hot water with a temperature of 130 degrees or greater to reduce dust mites.
• Don’t dry your laundry outside since pollen can easily deposit or accumulate in your belongings.
• Don’t allow mold to grow in your home. Mold loves to grow in damp places, like your bathroom, so make sure these rooms are dry with plenty of ventilation. Or use a dehumidifier in these areas. Close doors or windows during hot weather and use air conditioning instead.
• Avoid harsh, chemical cleaners, as these may trigger allergies and asthma. Many common surface sprays contain toxic and dangerous chemicals! Try and use natural or naturally derived non toxic cleaning products.
• Vacuuming with a regular vacuum may make allergies and asthma worse by disturbing and blowing the dust particles in the air. Make sure your vacuum has a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter.
• Control infestations. Insect and mouse residue is allergy triggering, so make cockroaches as unwelcome as possible – seal any cracks or entryways. Thoroughly vacuum carpeting and steam clean carpets regularly if possible, as wet wash hard surfaces.
• If you are allergic to animal dander, you should keep your pets outdoors if possible, as much as possible. Or at least keep them out of your bedroom. Bathing your pet weekly, especially with a dander reducing or eliminating shampoo, will reduce dander accumulation and can reduce your exposure to allergens.
• Keep pollen outside! Change your clothing after spending a lot of time outdoors.
• Turn off the fan! Limit the use of window fans that can draw pollen rich into your home.
• Take a bath or shower before bedtime! Bathe or shower before bedtime to wash off pollen and outdoor mold spores that build up on your hair and/or skin.
• If you wear eye contacts, it’s not a good idea to wear them while you have red, swollen or itchy eyes (allergic conjunctivitis) because the contacts may irritate and cause the conjunctivitis to become worse. Instead, wear your glasses until your eyes feel better.
• Avoid insect stings and potential reactions to bug bites and bee stings. When you’re in a buggy area, wear long sleeves, pants, and shoes with socks. Use bug repellant and do not wear perfumes or sweet scented products that would invite over insects.