Allergy season is nothing to sneeze at
Allergy season has got to be one of the worst times of the year. If your one of the 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies, not only do you have to put up with the sneezing and itching but you also have to go the extra mile with cleaning routines.
The most common allergy triggers are found in the home in dust, which is made up of human skin particles, animal dander, and molds.
Dust mites and cockroaches also produce allergic reactions. Symptoms, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, may include a blocked or runny nose with sneezing, watery eyes, itching rashes, coughing, and wheezing.
Your family doctor can determine what you=re allergic to by taking a medical history and doing a series of skin tests. Below are the most common reasons for allergy problems:
n Dust mites. Nearly 100,000 of these microscopic mites can live on a square yard of carpet. It’s not the mite that causes the allergic reaction, it is their waste that causes the problem. Dust mites dine on the skin cells that we shed every day, they thrive in the areas where we spend the most time — beds, pillows, and our favorite stuffed chair. They produce about 20 tiny pellets of waste a day that contain a protein which we are allergic to. Mites love humid conditions, especially carpets placed on concrete floors.
n Animal dander. It’s a misconception that people are allergic to the fur of an animal. The real cause of the problem is the protein in the tiny flakes of pet skin and saliva that float through the air in the home, irritating your eyes, nose and respiratory tract.
Allergies to cats are the most common, but other animals can cause allergies as well.
Animal dander is light and remains airborne for long periods of time before falling to the floor. Vacuu-ming aggravates the condition by swirling allergens around the room. It can take several hours for the dander to settle back down to the floor.
n Mold. Mold thrives in moist areas of the home, such as bathrooms and basements. It’s not the black grimy stuff growing on the tile grout that causes allergic irritation but the reproductive spores it produces that are carried through the air.
n Pollen. Pollen allergies is a seasonal problem, normally occurring in the spring and fall when pollen invades the home carried in the air that we breath.
I happen to be allergic to Kentucky Blue Grass. Oh my gosh, I hate that stuff because of how it affects me.
Ridding the home of billions of microscopic particles may seem like a daunting task, but some simple steps will greatly reduce the exposure you may face.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology recommends the following:
a. Keep the bedroom uncluttered and easy to clean. Avoid dust collectors such as, knickknacks, stuffed animals, and televisions.
b. Encase mattress, box springs, and pillows in airtight, zippered plastic covers.
c. Wash all bedding regularly in hot water — at least 130 degrees to kill mites. Comforters and pillows should be made of synthetic material such as Dacron or Orlon so that they can be washed. Pillows should be replaced every two or three years.
d. Remove carpet, if possible. Allergens are abundant in carpet. Hard wood flooring and vinyl are the best choice.
e. Keep the humidity low. Mold loves humidity above 60 percent. Central air-conditioning is the most effective way of controlling humidity. It cools and cleans indoor air and keeps outdoor air out. Dehumidifiers are very useful in the basement.
f. Keep pets off the bedding and furniture.
g. Vacuum often with a vacuum that has a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) system. They are expensive however work great in removing air borne particulate matter when vacuuming. Avoid water vacuums, they spew out a fine mist of allergens.
When cleaning with any cleaning product, always wear eye protection and rubber gloves to protect your hands.
If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), e-mail them to nwees@hughes.net or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed do? For more information about Ed, go online to www.nwees.com.
Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified indoor environmental professional, forensic, fire, flood, mold Inspection and remediation/restoration contractor. Ed is the president of Northwest Environmental Services, Inc.