U.S. News and World Report
If you are one of the more than 60 million Americans with allergies and asthma, there are steps you can take at home to reduce exposure to common indoor allergens.
If you are not sure what is causing your sneezing and breathing problems, please make an appointment with a board-certified allergist so you can determine the allergen.
Let's start from the bedroom. In 24 hours, you may spend more time in your bedroom than anywhere else. Remove as many dust collectors as possible, such as books, gadgets, and toys. Ideally, this room should be a real "bed" room.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology recommends that you remove carpets and place dust mites on mattresses, pillows and spring mattresses. Wash all bedding with hot water to kill dust mites, and replace heavy fabric curtains with easy-to-clean blinds or curtains. Remove ceiling fans because they can breed mites, mold and irritants.
If you are allergic to pets, it is best not to keep pets at home. However, any pets you own should be kept away from the bedroom.
If there are stuffed animals in your child's room, please put them away as much as possible. To help kill dust mites, put the toys your child must use to sleep in the refrigerator for several hours once a week.
[Read: How to treat seasonal allergies. ]
In the kitchen, there are some ways to help reduce allergen exposure. Make sure to wash all dishes immediately after eating to prevent cockroaches from entering. It is also important to ensure that all food is kept in airtight containers and that kitchen trash cans are always tightly sealed. Remove food debris from countertops, cabinets, and floors.
Make sure there are no leaks under the sink, as they will promote mold growth. Pay attention to mold around the sink and refrigerator, and empty any drip trays under the refrigerator, as they may breed mold and become a breeding ground for cockroaches.
Use a ventilating fan above the stove to eliminate any irritating cooking fumes.
[Read: Is it safe to take allergy medicines during pregnancy? ]
Family room or other common areas
Our next stop is the family room. If you suffer from asthma, avoid using wood burning fireplaces because soot and smoke can aggravate respiratory problems. Use natural gas to burn logs to keep the air fresh.
Potted plants may breed mold and release it into the air when watering. Ideally, remove most of the plants, leaving only a few plants. Check all window seals for moisture, as mold will definitely grow.
Just like in the bedroom, remove all carpets and replace them with hardwood or linoleum flooring. If you use small rugs, make sure they are washable. However, carpet removal is not an option for everyone. In this case, please use a vacuum cleaner with a high-energy particle accelerator or HEPA filter. This will help trap pollen, animal dander, mold spores and dust mite allergens when vacuuming.
It is best not to have upholstered furniture. Leather, wood or plastic furniture is more prone to allergies. Keep windows closed in autumn and spring to prevent pollen from entering.
Finally, check the bathroom. You need good ventilation to ensure that the moisture in the sink, bathtub, and shower does not cause mold to grow. Check under the sink and around the toilet to make sure there are no leaks. Bleach solutions are valuable in removing mold buildup in bathtubs and showers.
Avoid carpeting in this room and use tiles, linoleum or hardwood floors. If there are any carpets in the bathroom, they should be washable. Avoid placing wallpaper in the bathroom, as mold usually grows behind it. Stick to painted walls.
[Read: Is it COVID-19, allergies, flu, or cold? ]
For some households with high humidity, dehumidifiers may be valuable in removing moisture from the air and preventing the growth of mold and dust mites. Replace your heating, ventilation and air conditioning or HVAC filters every three months, and their MERV rating (the lowest reported efficiency value, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, reports the filter’s ability to capture larger particles) is about 10 to 12. To ensure that they can capture allergens in the air. If you want to install an air filter for the entire house or just a room, please buy a HEPA filter. Unless the other measures discussed are not effective enough, this should generally not be done.
It goes without saying that smoking is absolutely not allowed in the home.
Following this advice should produce a more allergy-free environment, making your home the refuge you are looking for — no sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes.
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The house hypoallergenic method first appeared on usnews.com
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