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Avoiding
Airborne AllergensPollen, animal dander and dust mites are some of the commonest respiratory irritants. They are everywhere, and may seem impossible to avoid. But there are some important steps that will minimize your exposure. 1. Ideally, you would completely eliminate your exposure to pets, carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture and any surface, like your bedding, that might collect allergens. If you can't avoid these things altogether (few people can!), do your best to allergen-proof at least your bedroom- Put your pillows and mattress into allergen proof covers (see products list) Wash sheets and blankets weekly; flip your pillow every night and change the pillow case every other day Install an air purifier; the best ones are HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arresting) filters attached to the central heating/air conditioning system of your house. Portable HEPA filter units are less efficient, but can make a significant difference in a single room like your bedroom. They cost $300-$500. Vacuum cleaners generally spread more allergens than they remove. There are some brands with filter systems recommended for allergy sufferers. See below. 2. Wash it away! Shower every night before bed- the idea is to rinse away the microscopic particle clinging to your hair, eyelashes and face. Remove make-up and hair products. Whenever you've been outside with the pollen, or maybe touched a pet, immediately wash your hands and face and run a damp brush through you hair. 3. Avoid environments that would challenge anyone's respiratory tract, regardless of allergy status- tobacco smoke, wood fire smoke, even wood piles, since curing firewood contains molds that can be aggravating. If you live in an urban area where smog is a factor, pay attention to news casts that tell you when the air is especially bad, and stay inside as much as possible those days. Driving on dusty country roads can be just as bad, as is the hay barn or the fields. Allergy Control Products 1 (800) 422-DUST National Allergy Supply 1 (800) 522-1448 |
