Do you know that sneezing and itchy eyes you get during hay fever season? In 2022, more than 50 million Americans are suffering from several types of allergies.
If you suffer from allergies, you know how difficult it can be to manage your symptoms, significantly when things in your home trigger them. If you’re already dealing with asthma, getting immunized for common allergens is one of the best ways to treat symptoms and prepare for an asthma attack.
In the meantime, you can take a few steps to keep allergens in the house at bay. Here’s how to combat allergens and manage your symptoms from start to finish.
Control Dust Mites
If you suffer from dust mite allergies, there are several things you can do to minimize your exposure and keep your allergy symptoms under control. In your home, dust-mite-proof your bedding by encasing your mattress, box spring, and pillows in dust mite covers. Wash your bedding in hot water weekly and vacuum your floors and furniture regularly.
Keep the humidity in your home low, as dust mites thrive in humid environments. When dusting, use a damp cloth to avoid stirring up dust.
When outdoors, avoid areas where dust mites are likely to be, such as hay fields or horse stables. Wear a dust mask if you have to be in a dusty place.
Vacuum as Often as You Can
It helps to remove dust, pollen, and other allergens from your floors, carpets, and furniture. If you have severe allergies, you may want to invest in a HEPA filter for your vacuum cleaner.
This type of filter can remove more allergens from the air, making it safer for you to breathe. HEPA filters can remove up to 99.97% of allergens from the air, making them a valuable tool in allergy management.
Wear a mask while doing housework to avoid allergy triggers. You can also use a damp or treated cloth when dusting.
Prevent Pet Dander
You can do it by bathing your pets regularly and using air filters. If you have pet dander allergies, it is also essential to avoid using aerosols and scented candles, as they can make symptoms worse.
The best way to deal with pet allergies in the house is to keep the pets out of the bedroom. It is because dander gets airborne quickly and can settle in your bedroom. If you can’t control the pets out of your bedroom, then at least keep them off the bed and furniture.
If you are already dealing with pet dander allergies, you can do a few things to manage your symptoms. Taking allergy medication prescribed by your doctor can help avoid being in close contact with pets. If you are looking for a more natural way to manage your symptoms, some people find relief by using a Neti pot or other methods of nasal irrigation.
Replace Wall-to-Wall Carpets
If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, consider swapping it out for hardwood floors or tiles. It will help reduce the dust and other allergens that can accumulate in the carpet’s fibers.
If you must keep your carpet, you can get them cleaned by a professional to avoid trapping allergens.
Keep Your House Closed
Make sure you and your family are careful about what you bring into the house. If you know you are allergic to something, try to avoid it as much as possible so it won’t stick to your clothing.
Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible, especially when pollen counts are high. You can use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to remove pollen and mold from the air.
If you know you will be exposed to allergens, take steps to protect yourself. It may mean wearing a face mask or staying indoors as much as possible. You may also want to take allergy medications before you go outside.
Avoid Mold Spores
Mold spores can be found in many homes, including on walls, carpets, and damp clothing. If you are allergic to mold, these spores can cause a range of symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and difficulty breathing.
To avoid mold spores and manage your allergies, keep your home clean and free of dust, moldy clothes and shoes, and moisture. If you know you will be exposed to mold spores, take your allergy medication beforehand and pack a rescue inhaler with you in case of an allergic reaction.
Control Cockroaches
Several products are available to help control cockroaches. You should consult an allergist to determine your best course of action. Make sure to keep your home clean and free of clutter, as cockroaches attract moisture and food sources. If you have symptoms of a severe allergy, such as difficulty breathing, swelling, or hives, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Avoid Using Harsh Cleaning Chemicals
Fumes or exposure to harsh chemicals can aggravate your allergies and worsen your symptoms. Instead, use natural cleaning products or make your own. If you use chemicals for cleaning, leave your home for some time and air it out.
Clean Your Air Ducts and Filters
It will help to remove any build-up of dust, pollen, and other allergens that can trigger your symptoms. You should also consider using an air purifier in your home to help filter out allergens.
Certain parts of our air ducts may be hard to reach, and some of us are not capable of doing the cleaning. Dealing with professional air duct cleaners can ensure a good job and an allergen-free home.
Change Your Clothes
Take your shoes off when you come in the house to avoid tracking pollen and other allergens inside. Be sure to wash your clothes soon after coming in from outside to remove any pollen clinging to them.
Make sure that you also have proper hygiene. Wash your hands or take a bath to ensure the removal of any allergens sticking to your body.
Remove Allergens in the House for Better Health
If you have allergies, there are some things you can do to manage your symptoms and make your home more comfortable. Try to identify the allergens in the house and take steps to remove them. If you can’t remove the allergens, try to avoid them as much as possible.
You can also try using air purifiers and vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters to reduce the number of allergens in the air. If your symptoms are severe, you may need to see an allergist and start a treatment plan.
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