Make Your Home Safe from Allergens and Mold with These Tips

Sometimes we don’t realize that the biggest cause of our allergies and illnesses can be our home. Our home is where we feel safe, so it’s natural to overlook its potential to cause allergies, asthma irritation, and other respiratory illnesses. No matter the age of your house, it’s a good idea to give your house a once over to ensure you aren’t dealing with any kind of mold or excess allergens that could be making your family ill.

 

 

Deal with Dust Mites

You might think that just because your surfaces are dust free that you’ve eliminated a majority of household allergens, but think again. Dust mites are a common trigger for allergies and asthma and are found in bedding and rugs. If you have a family member with asthma, ensure that bedding, curtains, and carpets are cleaned regularly. Using special covers for your mattresses and box springs will help curb the dust mite population, too.

Preventing Mold

Once mold has established itself, it’s hard to get rid of without tearing out and replacing everything it has invaded. Instead, it’s best to prevent mold before it happens. Mold requires moisture to grow, so eliminating and/or reducing the moisture in your house is key, especially if you live in a hot climate or an already humid region. You probably know to do things like fix leaks, use dehumidifiers, and wipe down wet areas, but there are a few other things you can do to stop moisture. Keep the house warm in cool weather, as cooler air allows moisture to condense on surfaces. You should also have an HVAC technician out twice a year to ensure all of your heating and cooling systems’ parts are operating to properly remove moisture from the air.

Control Pet Dander

Your furry family members can be a major source of allergens. Keep pets out of sleeping areas, and if you have a particularly sensitive family member, clean upholstered furniture and heavily used carpets once or twice a week. Experts recommend using vacuums with HEPA filters or double bags to get the most dander and dust out of carpets and upholstery.

Let the Professionals Deal with Mold

While you can certainly handle the preventative measures in your home, if you do find your house has a mold problem, it’s best to let the professionals from companies like Bios Environments in Augusta, ME, clean it up. Most household cleaners will wipe away mold, but they won’t kill mold spores. This means you’re not stopping or preventing it from spreading. To keep it from coming back, professionals have the equipment to properly rid your house of mold.

With regular home maintenance and cleaning, you can be successful in eliminating and controlling common household allergens and molds. Follow your doctor’s recommendations for controlling the safety of your home if you have family members with asthma or more severe allergies.

Categories: allergens, Dust Mites, family health, mold, Pet Dander

Easy Ways to Keep your Asthma and Allergies from Flaring Up

Allergies and asthma attacks are a fact of life for many, but they don’t have to make life totally miserable. If they get out of hand, allergies or asthma can not only cause discomfort, but they can lead to hospitalizations and other medical complications. Fortunately, there are ways you can try to keep asthma and allergies from flaring up.

 

1. Contain pet dander

We love our pets, so it’s tough to blame them for our problems. Pet dander is a common allergen. If something at home triggers asthma or allergy symptoms, first try restricting the animal. Keep them from the area where you spend the most time, especially the bedroom. If this does not bring relief and the pet is indeed the issue, you may need to resort to a pet-free home. Allergy shots and medication are also an option for people who can’t bear to part with their pet, but don’t want to live with uncomfortable allergy symptoms like a runny nose and itchy eyes.

 

2. Fix leaky pipes

Are there water leaks under the sink, in the bathroom or in the basement that need repair? These areas are prone to grow black mold, one of the most serious health risks. Mold spores love moisture which can trigger allergic reactions and make some people severely ill. Be sure the bathroom has an exhaust fan in good working order, and take care of all leaks. Children are most likely to run health risks from mold because their immune systems are still not fully developed.

 

3. Replace AC filters

Air conditioner filters trap allergens. Pollen, dust, mold spores and animal dander will remain in the filter until it is full. Depending on the type of filters you use and the environment in and outside your home, a good rule of thumb is to replace the filters every 3 to 6 months. If you live in a climate like Arizona where you rely heavily on your air conditioner, you may need to contact a professional of duct cleaning in Phoenix on a more regular basis. Clean filters mean the allergens continue to be trapped and are not circulating around the house where you can breathe them in.

 

4. Control the dust

Dust, pollen, mold spores and animal dander circulate around the home in the air, and lodge in furniture and carpeting. Dust tables, entertainment centers, shelves and other furniture often and regularly wipe down windowsills with a damp cloth. Rather than dusting with a dry cloth, try using a wet cloth to trap the dust effectively rather than spread it around the home again. Furniture and carpets should be vacuumed once or twice a week. When cleaning, be sure to wear a dust mask.

 

5. Cover bedding

Most asthmatic attacks are attributed to dust mites. The microscopic bugs like warm, humid environments with a special preference for bedding and carpeting. Pillows, mattresses and box springs can be protected with airtight covers. Bedding should be washed weekly in hot water, and sheets and covers dried in a hot dryer.

 

There are ways to minimize allergy symptoms. The trick is to learn which irritants affect you and avoid the triggers. Keeping a clean and well maintained home will ensure that your family stays healthy without having to suffer from daily allergies or asthma attacks. Although there may still be things in your home that trigger symptoms, basic cleaning and maintenance is a good place to start.

Categories: Air Conditioner, allergies, Allergy Symptoms, animal dander, Asthma, Asthma Attacks, dust, health concerns, Health Risks, Home, mold spores, Pet Dander, pets

Raining Cats and Dogs: Plenty of Pets for Allergy Sufferers

A pet can do wonders for family wellness, but not so much if you’re allergic to animals. Your allergies may put you off even risking your wellbeing in the first place, or else walking that endless tightrope of medications and hand-washing just so you can pet your furry little friend now and again. Unfortunately, veterinarians assert that no dog or cat is 100% hypoallergenic, but there are still breeds that incite less of a reaction. We have a list of some animals that are a little friendlier to your allergy wellness:

 

1. Portuguese water dog: While you may have a misconception that your allergies are caused by fur, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America is quick to point out, ‘People with pet allergies have supersensitive immune systems that react to harmless proteins in the pet’s dander (dead skin that is shed), saliva or urine.’ No fur mentioned there, and, in fact, some animals are better tolerated because of their fur as they either don’t shed a lot or they require so much grooming that their dander is washed away more frequently. As the Portuguese water dog – as owned by Barack Obama – is in this latter category of requiring regular maintenance, it may be able to accommodate your allergies.

 

2. Sphinx cat: If you’re allergic to cats, the chances are this is due to the Fel d 1 glycoprotein present in cat saliva and skin excretions. Southern California-based company Allerca claims to have bred a hypoallergenic cat with modified versions of the Fel d 1 glycoprotein. However, The Scientist has since reported, ‘Allerca published no scientific proof that their pets are in fact hypoallergenic, and subsequent investigations conducted by The Scientist found several disappointed customers who were essentially told that they were too allergic to receive Allerca cats.’ That said, Sphinx cats are recommended by certain breeders are they don’t have any allergen-laden hair to shed.

 

3. Kerry blue terrier: Originating from County Kerry in Ireland, the Kerry blue terrier is considered a low-allergy dog because it sheds less dander than some other breeds. If you’re looking for an energetic and fun-loving animal that fits easily into your family, this may be the dog for you. However, if you have a cat be warned; the Kerry blue terrier is known for its hunting instinct.

 

4. Poodle: As the hair-growth cycle of the standard poodle is long, it will shed less than other dog. This pooch is usually advised if you have an allergy because their ‘coats tend to be both tightly curled, and usually lacking in undercoat. This combination tends to keep dead hair from detaching and floating in the air, and it tends to retain the dander, which is the most common source of allergens.’

 

5. Devon rex cat: Many experts assert, ‘While no cat can be truly hypoallergenic, many people with allergies to cats discover they can live comfortably with a Devon rex.’ This is because the Devon rex has less fur than some other breeds, which means they don’t need to lick themselves so frequently.

 

6. Bichon frise: In the same way as poodles, the Bichon frise is a lower-allergen dog because it has a curled coat, making it harder for their dander to escape. These pups require frequent grooming, but this does mean they shed less dander into a home environment.

 

7. American Labradoodle: This is probably the most popular low-allergen dog on this list and, as you may have guessed, is a cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle. However, be careful because an Australian labradoodle is not the same thing, and may be worse for your allergies.

Categories: allergen dog, allergies, bichon frise, blue terrier, devon rex, hair, kerry blue, nbsp, Pet Dander, portuguese water, water dog

Sexless Symptoms: Are Allergies Ruining Your Sex Life?

Look at your allergy symptoms: sneezing, runny nose, congestion, itchy watery eyes and fatigue – feeling in the mood? I guess not. Although you may not be aware, allergy symptoms really take their toll on your sex life, with 83% of those polled in an Allergy and Asthma Proceedings study reporting this to be the case. As with any medical condition, it’s important to consult your doctor. Tell your GP about the changes you’ve experienced in your sexual activity, as you can then work together on ways to inject a little more va va voom into your bedroom. There are plenty of avenues that you can explore with your doctor and your partner, so ask yourself the following questions:

 

1. Could you use a little help to fight fatigue? Whether you get them on prescription or over-the-counter, non-drowsy medications can help to guard your wellbeing against fatigue.

 

2. Are you suffering from an allergy? An allergist can test you for – as you might guess – allergies, while health food shops can test for intolerance. Identifying the culprit is an important step, as it is only then that you can create your plan of action.

 

3. How is your environmental wellness? Allergens that thrive in your home and grow in the soil can make everything worse, so limit your exposure to dust mites, pollen, mould and pet dander.

 

4. What’s today’s pollen count? If you monitor daily pollen counts in your area, you can guard your wellness against them on days that they’re particularly high. This means shutting your windows and turning off the air conditioner.

 

5. Does your dog need to sleep at the end of your bed? You or your partner may like to have your furry little friend on or even in your bed, but your pet may be playing havoc with your sex life if you have a pet dander allergy or intolerance. You don’t need to get rid of your pooch, just keep him or her off the bed or – even better – out of the bedroom altogether.

 

6. Is everything squeaky clean between the sheets? They call it getting down and dirty, but this doesn’t mean your bed has to follow suit! If you regularly replace your pillows, and wash your bedding in hot water, you can keep your boudoir as allergen-free as possible and promote a dust mite-free sex life.

 

7. Are you inviting pollen round for tea? Just because you expose yourself to pollen outdoors, you don’t have to bring it into the bedroom. Leaving your clothes at the front door helps to ensure that you’re not tracking it in the house and, who knows? It could be a sexy starter if you strip and hit the shower together.

 

8. Are you prepared for the big event? Although planning and preparation aren’t the sexiest things you can think about, neither is an allergy-ridden sex life. Take care of your sexual health by taking allergy medicine a good half an hour before getting down to it. It’s not the end of the world if it’s not exactly 30 minutes in advance, but planning ahead in this way helps you to make sure your allergy medications are raring to go when you are.

 

9. Are you (and your partner) educated? Education and communication is key here, as a lot of people don’t even realise that their allergies (or their partner’s) are getting in the way of their sex life. You need to understand your wellness, and how everything is connected. If you and your partner are aware of the issue, it makes it so much easier to solve together.

Categories: allergies, allergy, Allergy Symptoms, libido, life, Medications, nbsp, partner, Pet Dander, Pollen, sex life