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Ways To Reduce & Minimize Indoor Allergens

Indoor allergens can be detrimental to your health when neglected. Mold spores, dead skin from pets, feathers, fur, and dust mites and other insect droppings are the most common indoor allergens.

Dust mites are very minute insects (you actually need a microscope to see it) that are present inside our very home. It feeds on dust shed off by animal and human skin, and microscopic fungi. These insects are not detrimental in themselves. Their droppings, however, contains left over digestive enzymes and are a noteworthy cause of allergies and even asthma.

Reducing the presence of this particular allergen requires regular clean up of beddings, mattresses, carpets, and rugs. Regular dusting and vacuuming is a must. It is important to note that vacuuming can sometimes trigger allergic reaction as very minute particles are often carried over by air. It is helpful to wear a dust mask while cleaning, dusting, and vacuuming to avoid inhaling minute allergens. Since you spend most of your hours at home in the bedroom, it is important to wash your beddings, pillows or pillow cases, comforters and blankets weekly in hot water and dry it using hot drier. Make use of airtight plastic covers or ask for allergen-proof fabric covers for your spring boxes, mattresses, and pillows. Dehumidifier or air conditioning can help maintain low humidity inside the home. The use of high efficiency particulate filter or double filter bag while vacuuming is also a great help, not only in reducing just dust mite droppings but all buoyant, minute, and air-borne allergens as well.

Molds are a cobweb-like and fuzzy growth created by some types of fungi. Mildew is also a common term for it but is often used referring to whitish molds. Green, red, blue, and black fungal growth is referred to as molds.

A mould spore germinates mostly on damp and moist areas and surfaces. Spores multiply fast and can be a menace as it can lead to the breaking down of leather, wood, paper, plants, and fruits as well.

To stop mold spores from germinating and multiplying inside your house, try to reduce moist and dampness in all areas of your house. The basement, kitchen, bathroom, underneath all sinks and tubs and lavatories are common areas susceptible to molds and mildew. Wash moldy tiles, concrete or any hard surfaces with water and detergent. You can apply bleach or water diluted with bleach to kill germs and other bacteria present on the surfaces. Even your clothes, aprons, hand towels, sponge, and damp rugs should be washed regularly with water and detergent and bleach if necessary. Promptly repair all leaks on pipes, roofs, wall cracks and nooks to help keep all areas dry. Lessen humidity inside the house. Proper ventilation helps in keeping basements, bathrooms, and kitchen dry. Molds and mildew also germinate on plants so reduce house plants or keep plants outside windowsills, veranda, or porches.

Other indoor allergens are cockroach droppings. Cockroaches enter the house through wall cracks and almost every opening in the house. Its droppings trigger asthma and other allergies. It is best to exterminate cockroaches once in a while. These pests also multiply rapidly as a single egg case can contain sixteen to thirty two eggs. These pests love moisture and are light sensitive. It can also sense very minuscule food particles and crumbs. Make sure to keep all food in lidded and airtight containers and regularly clean cupboards, ovens, microwave, and stoves. Wipe tables after use and be sure to sweep all food crumbs on the floor. Regularly check dark areas and cabinet or furniture edges for cockroach egg cases.

Mice urine is also a common allergen inside the house. Dispose your garbage and trash properly to avoid mice from entering your house.

Your pet can also be a cause for indoor allergen. If you are allergic to dander, fur, feather, pet urine (especially from hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and the like), it is best to avoid having pets at home.

Pollen is an outside allergen that can be easily carried off inside the house. Keep pollens outside by closing windows and other openings. This type of allergen is seasonal so keep a close watch for the changing of season and be up to date by checking some websites and centers that monitor such changes.

Keep your house free from allergens by keeping it dry and clean at all times.