Dealing with Allergies in the house.

In my last post I took the opportunity to describe how allergies can affect pet owners and how exposure to allergens are cumulative. Allergic reactions may not surface if the threshold of exposure to allergens remains low. This for some is the strategy many opt for when dealing with their allergies to their pets. It is after-all, a better solution than having to part ways with your pet and finding them a new home --something i'm sure you would all avoid if possible--, also giving you the chance to build a tolerance to the allergens in the process.

One of most aggressive ways allergens spread is through the air. And this is why in my last post, I recommended investing in a good air purifier with a HEPA (High Efficiancy Particulate Air) filter. Although these are effective at filtering out 99.97% of all contaminating particles, it still doesn't deal with non-air allergens which can contribute just as much as it's air counter parts.

Make sure, that air entering from windows or heating systems is filtered and maintain a certain dust free environment. Depending owhere you live, you may need to dust all surfaces fairly regularly with a damp cloth. Vacuum clean the floors instead of sweeping, and make sure to throw out the vacuum bags (or empty the vacuum bin) as frequently as possible. Electrostatic filter bags are more efficient at picking up allergens, and so these are highly recommended.

If you are in the position to change your furniture, then choosing furniture with more washable surfaces is a great advantage. Floors with polished hardwood, vinyl flooring or tiles are easy to wash clean.

Textile based allergens flourish when not washed frequently, as such, you should purchase washable covers, and encasements, you can also get non-allergenic pillows which are usually filled with dacron or polyester.

Finally, do let mold grow in the house, these are usually found in damp and dark humid places such as bathrooms, basements and closets. To deal with this, you must buy an air humidifier and make sure that the humidifier itself is cleaned regularly as it can also build up mold.