According to most health organizations, including the Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA), allergies affect more than 54% people around the world. Medicine and prescriptions can help relieve allergy symptoms, but getting rid of irritants from your home is a much more efficient way to put an end to your stuffy nose, headaches, itchy eyes, and shortness of breath. In this post Mark Johnson, an expert in clean air and environment from ByPurify will tell about the to finally say goodbye to those terrible allergies.
01. Know What Triggers Your Allergies
You cannot take a problem head-on if you do not know what you are dealing with. Pay a visit to your allergist so that he/she can assist you to focus on your preventative measures. The most common offenders are dust mites, mold, pollens, and pet dander. According to Laurie Ross, the editor of Allergy and Asthma Today, there is no point in making changes at home if you do not address your particular allergies.
02. Focus on Your Bedroom First
Just like you, allergens also spend most of their time here. Therefore, cover your mattress and pillows with zip-on dust mite covers, clean your sheets, pillowcases, and blankets every week in water heated to at least 130 F (54 C), and shut your windows and run the air conditioning system during pollen season.
03. Tackle Those Hard-to-Reach and Ignored Corners
We tend to forget to look under the bathroom sink, a prime spot for mold growth when pipes drip. Take out everything from the cabinet and check out the interior carefully for any leakages. Also look out for mouse droppings and cockroach webs, since rodents and bugs can stir up your allergies, too. So, fix those leakages, seal holes, clean the overlooked areas, and keep them tidy and dry to eliminate irritant build-up. You could even consider adding anti-mold and waterproof drywall panels into your home to give you further protection.
04. Consider an Air Purifier for Your Bedroom
It is not a secret that air purifiers have certain limitations; they capture airborne allergens but cannot trap anything settled in rugs or furniture, which is where most allergens end up. However, they are very important; mainly if you are allergic to dust and pollen. Just make sure you do not purchase one that produces ozone, a gas that is acts as an irritant for people with allergies. If you are purchasing an air purifier specifically for your allergies, there are a number of great solutions available.
05. Invest in a Reliable Hygrometer for your Bedroom
High humidity levels can lead to mold growth, among other issues. A hygrometer will let you know of your bedroom’s moisture levels. If you the readings you get are of above 60% in any room or area, then you need to consider getting a dehumidifier.
06. Consider Having Exhaust Ventilation Fans
If your bedroom and bathroom fans just re-circulate indoor air or vent into the attic, replace them with genuine ventilation exhaust fans, which direct particles and humidity out of the house. Venting damp spaces to your attic causes mold to start growing there and eventually spread to the rest of your home.
07. Get Rid of the Drapes
Blinds or shades trap fewer allergens than fabric window treatments. However, if you are set on having curtains, choose the machine-washable kind, which is easier to keep dust-free. Take out the dust by vacuuming once a week with a brush attachment and wash them frequently during months when your windows remain open.
08. Upgrade Your Vacuum System
If you are using a cleaner that does not have a HEPA filter, switch to one that does. They help trap particles as tiny as 0.3 microns. Mark suggests choosing one of the best vacuum cleaners on the market as often the price difference reflects the quality offered. One thing to note, if you have pets that are allowed in your room and you suffer from pet-related allergies, the best thing you can do is invest in a vacuum cleaner that specialises in pet hair removal.
They say prevention is better than cure. So, take up these few steps and make your bedroom an allergen-free zone today!
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