Allergies occur when your body immune system reacts to a foreign substance such as dust, pollen, bee venom, or pet dander. Symptoms varies in degree from sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, watery eyes to upper air ways contract resulting in wheezing and shortness of breath and other breathing difficulties to sudden severe constriction of air passages.
Here are some prevention tips home owner can do to lessen exposure to allergens (the things that triggers allergic reactions).
For the entire house:
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Temperature and humidity. Hot and humid houses are ideal environment for dust mites and mold. Maintain temperature at 70 degree F and keep relative humidity no higher than 50%. Clean and replace small particle filters in central heating and cooling systems and in room air conditioners at least once a month. Have your home heating and cooling systems cleaned and inspected annually by qualified technician.
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Infestations. Hire a professional exterminator to control roaches and rodents. To remove allergy triggering insect residue, thoroughly scrub hard surfaces with bleach.
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Mold. Close doors and windows during warm weather and pollen season and use air conditioning and maintain relative humidity no higher than 50%.
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Smoking. Do not allow tobacco smoking or wood burning stoves or fireplaces in the house. Smoke and gasses can worsen respiratory allergies.
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Flooring. Replace carpeting with tile, wood, linoleum or vinyl flooring.
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Walls. Remove all wall paper coverings. Paint walls with non toxic mold resistant enamel paint.
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Curtain and window blinds. Use washable synthetic fabric curtains. Replace horizontal blinds, which collect dust, with window shades.
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Plants and pets. Keep plants and pets outside the house. Bathing pets twice a week may reduce the amount of allergen in the dander they shed.
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Furniture. Choose easy to clean furniture made of leathers, wood, metal, or plastic. Avoid upholstered furniture, wool, or down stuffed cushions or pillows.
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Clutter. Remove dust catcher. If it collects dust, it also collects dust mites. Remove books, magazines, newspapers from your house periodically.
For the bedrooms: If you suffer from respiratory allergies, your bedroom is the one room that can seriously aggravate your problem. Following these few preventions and you will sleep better:
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Linen. Wash bed linen weekly. Wash all sheets, blankets, pillow cases and bedspread in hot water that is at least 130 degree F (54 degree C) to kill dust mites and remove allergens. Avoid wool or down-filled comforter.
For the Kitchen:
For the Bathroom:
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Ventilation. Install and use an exhaust fan to reduce moisture while taking baths or showers. Keep bathroom door closed.
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Shower and Tub. Towel dried bathtub and enclosure after each use. Use bleach to clean mold from tub, shower, and faucets.
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