AmanAs medical science has developed it has been discovered there are a whole host of entities in the environment that many of us have an allergic reaction to. Worryingly, many of these allergens are to be found in the home. This is why it is important for your family’s health that wherever you can you allergy-proof your home to make it as healthy an environment as possible.
Types of allergens
There are several types of allergens to be found in the average domestic dwelling. The most common is dust mites that can take up residence in carpets, curtains, bed linen and upholstery. Animals can also provide a warm home to allergens and irritating creatures, such as fleas and ticks, but even their coat/fur can cause an allergic reaction in some humans. Then there are building fabric allergens, such as mould, which is often caused by condensation, damp and inadequate ventilation.
Dust mites
As mentioned, dust mites can be found in most soft furnishings around the home. If you or a member of your family is particularly vulnerable, such as with asthma sufferers, then you should act to reduce the opportunities for dust mite to gain a foothold. For instance, you should replace carpets with hard or laminate flooring, as dust mites love to hide in the fibres of carpets. They also love curtains, so change these out for blinds – roller, Venetian – or window shutters. If you do want to retain your curtains, give them a wash every three months at 60 degrees.
Our beds are where the most dust mites are to be found, often thousands of them. To keep allergens as low as possible, encase beds in anti-allergy mattress covers, and use anti-allergy bed linen. When washing bed linen, you need to do so at a high temperature, say 60 degrees, to kill off any mites. You should even make smart choices about the types of bed your home has. Beds with metal or wood bedheads are better than upholstered ones because they deny the dust mites a comfortable environment in which to breed.
Pets
If you have pets, such as a cat or dog, it is vital for their health as well as your own that you give them regular worm and flea treatments. These can be given at home in the shape of back-of-the-neck drops or flea-tablets and worming pills. Such treatments should be carried out at least every three months to keep your pets’ flea- and worm-free.
Mould
As mould develops where there is damp, the most vulnerable area of your home to this allergen is the bathroom. Check the seals around your bath to make sure they are intact and that you have no water leaking anywhere. As soon as possible after a shower or bath has been taken, clean the shower door or curtain and open the window to ventilate the room and reduce condensation. If you do find mould on the shower curtain or wall tiles, use vinegar and lemon juice to clean it away. Ensure you rinse the area thoroughly afterwards.
While you may not be able to eradicate allergens from your home entirely, you can take steps to keep their levels down, thereby maintaining and even improving the health of your family.
