|
Back
to allergy elimination main page
The
Facts: Substances which cause allergic reactions are called allergens.
An allergic reaction is your body's response to a substance that
many people can tolerate without difficulty. Your allergic threshold
can be compared to the liquid in a glass which will overflow if
filled past capacity. A small glass, or low threshold, will easily
be filled and overflow while a larger glass (high threshold) can
tolerate a greater amount of liquid. If too much liquid is accumulated
and overflows the glass, your tolerance has been exceeded and symptoms
will occur. Reducing the number of allergens and the amount of each
allergen can prevent symptoms. To avoid symptoms, you only need
to prevent overflow.
Dust
Mites
Although there are many components in house dust to which people
may be allergic, the most important is the dust mite.
This is a microscopic insect-like creature which lives primarily
in pillows, mattresses, box springs, carpets and upholstered furniture,
and thrives in humid and warm conditions.
Its diet consists of shed scales from human skin.
Waste particles produced by these mites are the main substances
to which allergic people react. Each mite produces about 20 waste particles a day.
Female mites can lay 25 to 50 eggs, with a new generation
produced every three weeks.
In
the Bedroom
It is particularly important to clear the sleeping environment of
allergens because symptoms tend to worsen at night.
Wash
all bedding blankets, sheets, pillowcases and mattress pad in hot
water weekly to kill dust mites. Avoid wool and down covers. Comforters
should be washed every
two weeks or encased in allergen impermeable covers. Avoid feather
comforters and pillows and, if possible, remove carpeting, which
is a major hiding place for dust mites.
Keep
surfaces smooth and uncluttered with few small objects such as books,
knickknacks, CDs, tapes and stuffed animals which can all collect
dust. Place them in drawers if possible.
Check
the bed for possible allergens. FabricsÑone boy was allergic to
his polyester blanketÑdetergents and chlorine bleaches are possible
irritants, One man was allergic to electricity and had severe problems
until he removed clocks, lights and other electrical devices near
his bed.
Animals
in the bedroom may have left urine, saliva and hair. Perfumes and
potpourri may cause symptoms.
Mold
To prevent or eliminate molds, humidity should be kept as low as
possible. Central air-conditioning is the most effective way of
controlling humidity, however vent openings are prime locations
for the buildup of molds, so be sure to keep them clean. Use special
filters to help trap air- borne allergens and clear mold spores
from the air. Books, leather products, wood paneling and wallpaper
paste all support mold growth and should be avoided or treated with
appropriate mold-killing solutions.
In
the Bathroom
Clean
visible mold from walls and ceilings.
Use
an exhaust fan or open windows to remove humidity after showering.
Use
a squeegee to remove excess water from the shower stall, tub and
tiles.
Wash
shower curtain, bathroom tiles, shower stall, tub and toilet tank
with mold-killing, mold-preventing solutions.
Do
not carpet the bathroom.
Although
they may appear clean, damp towels rapidly-within 30 minutes acquire
colonies of bacteria and other living organisms. Wash towels weekly
if not more often.
Removing
Allergens from the Environment
Air Filters The most effective filter is a high efficient particular
air (HEPA) filter. HEPA systems require no maintenance and their
efficacy only increases with use.
Vacuum
Cleaners It is important to know if your vacuum really eliminates
dirt and dust from your home or merely re-circulates tiny particles.
These particles can linger in the air for up to an hour where they
continue to provoke allergic and asthmatic reactions. Vacuums are
available with HEPA filters that can trap particles as small as
.3 microns, far smaller than a hair or dust mite.
|
