Controlling allergy and asthma symptoms begins at home. Most people with allergies stay indoors when pollen and mold increase. But dust, pet dander, and even cockroaches can cause indoor air problems.
Believe it or not, you can control indoor allergens by cleaning and reducing irritants in your home. The primary sources of indoor allergens are:
- Pets
- Carpet
- Fabric furniture
- Stuffed toys
- Bedding
- Damp areas
- Unwashed pillows and bedding
What Can I Do To Control Indoor Allergens?
1. Vacuum And Dust Regularly
Your home can collect dust rather quickly. Dusting and vacuuming can help reduce indoor air allergens in your home and increase the efficiency of your HVAC system. This will help improve your indoor air quality, giving you relief from allergy and asthma symptoms.
2. Prevent Pet Dander
Most doctors recommend that people who have allergies to animal dander not have pets with feathers or fur. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a fully hypoallergenic pet. People with pet allergies are allergic to animal dander which are skin cells that animals shed. However, some animal dander has fewer allergenic proteins. Owning an animal with fewer allergenic proteins may lead to fewer or no symptoms.
3. Prevent Cockroaches
Refrain from leaving food or garbage uncovered. If you find a cockroach infestation, try using poison baits, boric acid, and traps instead of chemicals. Chemicals may irritate your allergy or asthma symptoms.
