Allergies & Asthma
Are You Really Home Alone?

If you have allergies or asthma, you're likely to realize how important it is to figure out and avoid the things that "trigger" your attacks.

But, did you ever wonder how many hidden triggers are in your home? Chances are, more than one unwanted visitor is living under your roof.

One of the best ways to gain control over your asthma is to gain control over your environment.

The first step is to "asthma-proof" your home".

The Mighty Mite

If you think that house dust is causing you problems, you may be right! House dust (made up of fibers, the breakdown of human and animal skin cells and tiny specks of food), provides a daily gourmet meal for tiny bugs called "dust mites," whose waste products are a common cause of asthma.

The Rotton Roach

Dust mites aren't the only bugs that can trigger asthma attacks. If cockroaches are a regular (or even occasional) inhabitants in your home, watch out! Roach droppings, like those of mites, can mix in with other sources of house dust and irritate your lungs.

The Not-So-Dandy Dander

Animal "dander" (or dandruff) can also cause asthma and allergy attacks. Like humans, many animals, especially cats and dogs, lose small scales of skin during their normal activities. The protein, which is in pets' saliva and can get on their skin, hair or feathers during grooming, can also trigger attacks. This protein is easily transferred to your clothing, furniture and bedding.

The Ever Present Mold

Mold is one of the most wide spread living things. It reproduces by releasing spores into the air, which can enter the home, settle on living matter and form clusters, especially in damp areas. Inhaled, they may cause allergic symptoms. And, unlike plant pollen, all types of mold are with us year round.

Helpful Hints

Now that you're aware of hidden triggers, are you ready to give them their "walking papers?" Here's how...

The Bedroom

 

• Keep a good quality HEPA filter running continuously with the bedroom door closed. NO PETS in the bedroom.
  
• Dust mites love warm, damp mattresses. Cover your mattress, box spring, pillows and comforter in airtight, dust-proof covers.
  
• Use washable blankets and wash them every week in hot (130 degree) water.
  
• By new pillows every year.
  
• Get rid of dust collectors, like knickknacks, stuffed toys, books and dried flowers. Install shelves with glass doors.
  
• Replace upholstered furniture with plain wood, plastic or leather.
  
• Use washable curtains or shades instead of blinds and drapes.
  
• If you use a humidifier, clean it daily with a vinegar solution and don't let relative humidity rise above 40%. Very high humidity helps unwanted mold grow.

 

The Kitchen, Bathroom, and Other Living Areas

• Have your air ducts professionally cleaned to prevent dust build up. Check humidifiers and the central air conditioning coil for mold.
  
• Make sure you have good air circulation in every room.
  
• Dust with a damp cloth, and vacuum weekly with a good quality HEPA vacuum. Normal vacuum cleaners remove large particles but stir up dust, making air quality even worse.
  
• Clean the refrigerator regularly.
  
• Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom, and wash bathroom walls, fixtures, and shower curtains.
  
• A dehumidifier is a must for a damp basement. Seal off the basement if drainage problems allow water to collect.
  
• Replace carpeting with linoleum or wood. Or, use washable throw rugs.
  
• Use safe and natural cleaning products.

 

Your Pet

• Keep your pet outdoors as much as possible. However, if the pollen count is high bring your pet inside because he may bring the unwanted pollen inside.
  
• Wash and brush your pet frequently.
  
• Use efficient vent and furnace filters to trap dander.

Key Household Problems

In recent years we've learned to reduce energy costs by tightening our homes and adding insulation. But this can result in less fresh air ventilation, so that indoor air contaminants are trapped inside.

Inside Air More Polluted Than Outside Air

Studies show that the air in our homes, schools, and offices, where we spend 60 to 90% of our time, is now commonly more polluted than outside air, with some pollutants reaching concentrations that would be illegal in the atmosphere.

The impact on our health can range from mild breathing problems to allergy, asthma, or severe illness.

Contaminants:  Biological and Others - Bacteria, Viruses, Mold, Mildew, Fungus, Dust Mites, Pollen, Ragweed, fiberglass, and chemicals. Many can cause allergic reactions.

Serious infectious disease such as Pontiac Fever and Legionnaires disease can be caused by airborne viruses and bacteria. Excessive humidity such as wet basements, crawl spaces, humidifiers, and duct work can promote the incubation and growth of mold, mildew, and fungus.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - Formaldehyde, Benzene, Acetone, Toluene, Trichloroethane (just to name a few). Scientists have identified more than 1,500 bacterial and chemical indoor-air pollutants from such sources as carpets, paints, and office machines.

Many of these chemical ingredients are "volatile organic compounds", which means they are chemically unstable. Chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene can slowly dissipate, or 'off gas' from common products in your home. And they are everywhere - particle board, paints, stains and varnishes, cleaning supplies, pesticides, synthetic fibers, and anything made of plastic or vinyl.

Gases and Particles - Radon, Carbon Monoxide, Dust, Smoke, Lead, Asbestos. Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that can enter your home from underground. Long term low dose exposure can cause lung cancer. Poisonous carbon monoxide can enter from improperly vented furnaces or kerosene heaters. Air particulate concentrations can be elevated from drywall dust and construction debris can be left in ductwork, or exposed insulation.