Let us face it. We live in a very fast-paced society. Because of that, people tend to overlook some very important things, when it comes to health. Those who suffer from allergic asthma or “just” allergy can’t afford to leave things unattended. Especially if you have kids who have such condition. To avoid missing something, go through this list, and see what can you improve, in order to make it easier for your kid.
What causes allergies?
Certain substances, called allergens are responsible for causing allergic reactions, and can also induce asthma symptoms. In most of the cases, those are carried by air, but also can be settled on furniture or any other surface. Tiny, measured in microns, they can come from various sources. Cockroaches and dust mites debris, pollen, mold and pets dander are among most often initiators of allergic reactions. You should reduce the source of the allergen, as well as exposure to those sources, in order to keep your child safe.
Pets
I have two parakeets. I wasn’t aware that they can be source of the allergen, until a friend of mine visited, and started sneezing. He explained to me that they shed dander, a combination of dead skin and feathers, and that triggered his reaction. Also, he told me that cats, dogs and most of the pets (excluding cold-blooded ones, such as iguanas or snakes) cause his sneezing. Simply put, it is the way they live, and what I could do, is to reduce exposure of visiting kids to my parrots. I kept them in a separated room, and those kids which I knew that have allergy didn’t go there. Keeping pets clean is also a good advice, and while you can’t bathe your parrots once in every two days, you can do this with cats and dogs. Cages are also the source of dust and dander, so keeping those clean as well will help reducing symptoms. And one more rule, no pets allowed on the couch.
Mold
This initiator can be found in every house. It thrives in wet, dark places, where water is present often. Bathroom, kitchen and basement are most often resident places, but it can be found everywhere, if you are not careful. There are two ways to fight mold, and if you combine both, you will prevail in this battle. Keeping your rooms dry and winded will eliminate that wet, damp air which is needed for mold to grow. Also, cleaning regularly prevents them to settle in the first place. Closets are overlooked as well, so once in every two days leave them open for a few hours, to keep the air inside fresh. As for the kitchen, installing good air-ventilating system is a must, for it will suck out all the steam made from cooking. This will cut off one condition needed for mold to grow.
Insects
I will be honest, those things are tough nut to crack. They are resilient, fast and will make numbers very fast. Similar to pets, they leave trail of debris behind, which is carried by air later. Two groups are notable here, those who live “in the open”, such as cockroaches so you can actually see them, and those who are “undercover”, like dust mites. Those you cannot see, but that does not mean that they are not there. To fight them, you must make your house uninhabitable for unwanted visitors. Food makes cockroaches storm your kitchen, so make sure that you clean any leftovers, and that food is stored in insect-proof containers. As for mites, they tend to settle in pillows, blankets and clothes, so choosing mites-proof material is a must. Feather-filled pillows are very bad for kids suffering from allergies, and to make it easier for them, choose those made from synthetic material.
Dust
Perhaps the worst cause of allergies and allergic asthma, dust is quite nasty. It comes out of nowhere, and you can’t be sure that you eliminated all of it. But, you can cut it down. In my recent conversation with the people from company for domestic cleaning from Sydney, I found out that people tend to neglect the type of fabric they use. Thick rugs are the last thing you wish for your home. Kids spend a lot of time playing, crawling and running around, so dust will lift up. Those rugs contain a lot of dust which cannot be eliminated entirely, so you will either go completely rug-free, and install wooden tiles, or choose thinner ones, and keep them in key points. Sofas, beds and chairs are also covered in cloth, so they will require your attention as well. Basically, all those items which “attract dust” should be kept at minimum. Instead of a basket, put your collection of DVD’s on the shelf.
To summarize all, it is not impossible to keep your house allergy-resistant. You will just need to be thorough and careful not to miss something which can make your child’s life less pleasant. And remember, cut the source, and the problem is almost solved.
