Indoor Allergy Facts - Dr. Charlot, Brooklyn, New York Allergy Doctor

Indoor Allergy Facts

While spring, summer and fall are peak allergy seasons for individuals who have seasonal allergic diseases (like hay fever), many allergy patients are plagued year-round by indoor substances such as dust mites, cockroaches, molds and animal dander. There is no cure for many allergic diseases, but symptom control is possible. Allergists-immunologists recommend a number of tactics that can prevent or control the symptoms of perennial allergic diseases, including asthma. Some of these are summarized below.

Clean the home on a regular basis. If possible, allergy patients should leave the house during cleaning and not return until airborne dust has a chance to settle. An allergic person who must do house cleaning should wear a dust mask.
Use leather or vinyl furniture, which is less likely to harbor allergy-causing substances than upholstered furniture.
Limit use of carpeting, a haven for dust mites. The best alternatives are hardwood floors, and seamless vinyl or linoleum floor coverings. These can be cleaned easily and thoroughly.
Remove dust-collecting items such as books, knickknacks, dried-flower arrangements and straw baskets.
When possible, use air conditioning to keep humidity low. Low humidity slows dust mite growth during warm weather months.
Clean or change air conditioner and furnace filters often. Certain airborne irritants (but not dust mites) can be removed by a high efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) air cleaner installed in the heating system.
Cover mattresses, box springs and all pillows with special allergen impermeable casings that can be removed and cleaned frequently.
Avoid bedding stuffed with feathers, down, kapok or foam rubber. Wash bedding, including mattress pads, in hot water every 10 days.
Replace heavy draperies or venetian blinds with washable curtains or window shades.
Keep bedroom and closet doors closed as much as possible.
If allergy-causing pets must share the household with an allergic individual, pets should be kept outdoors or limited to certain rooms of the house. For sure, they should be kept out of bedrooms at all times. Dogs, cats and other mammals are the pets most likely to cause symptoms in allergic individuals. Fish, turtles and salamanders are much less likely to cause problems.