Here is a great article from Clayton & Clayton regarding fighting dust allergies at home. Please follow the link provided to read the full article.
Clayton & Clayton – https://www.claytonandclayton.com/home-dusting-guide.php
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Fighting Dust Allergies: Common Methods to Clean and Prevent Dust Accumulation at Home
“Did you know allergy symptoms can actually worsen after cleaning, vacuuming, and dusting? It seems like dusting and vacuuming should improve your allergy problem, but often these activities can exacerbate the issue. In other words, the time you’re spending trying to make your allergies better can actually make them worse. The cleaning process causes dust particles to surface, making them easier to inhale.
Dust can be found in all locations of the home. Keeping the dust build-up to a minimum, especially if you’re affected by allergies, can improve your overall quality of life. There are many ways dust can be controlled. Decluttering, changing air filters, improving pet care practices and changing pillows are all examples of ways you can control dust in your home.
Overall, you may find controlling dust requires a change in lifestyle and behaviors at home. By changing the way you clean, the type of bedding you use, the way you interact with your pets and other lifestyle factors, you can reduce the amount of dust in your home.
This article will discuss the most effective methods for eliminating dust. You’ll also learn where you can find the most dust in your home and how to reduce your dust allergies.
Dust Allergies
A dust allergy is an allergic reaction to dust or dust mites found in the home. Dust mites are a type of insect that live in the household and eat dust. People who are allergic to dust are often allergic to these insects. Dust and dust mites can be found nearly everywhere in the home, including bedding, upholstery and carpeting. People who are allergic to dust and mites can control their symptoms by reducing the amount of dust in their home. Some people also take medication for this allergy.
Symptoms of Dust Allergies
If you suffer from a dust allergy, you may experience a variety of negative symptoms such as:
Asthma
Runny nose
Itchy eyes
Tightness in the chest
Wheezing and coughing
Postnasal drip
Blue-colored skin under the eyes
Difficulty breathing
Although dust allergies are not usually a serious condition, it can be if the affected person has a severe enough reaction. Conditions like asthma can be deadly for someone who goes untreated, or who does not have the tools to enable breathing when an attack occurs. Work with your doctor to ensure your dust mite allergy condition is properly treated.
Triggers
Allergy triggers can cause your allergies to become suddenly pronounced. Triggers can take many forms, depending on your particular allergy and how severe your allergy is.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are the most common reason people are allergic to dust. Mites thrive in conditions with temperatures over 70 degrees and in high humidity. You can find dust mites everywhere. They float in the air, live in upholstery and carpeting, can be found in curtains and bedding, and can even live in mattresses.
Mites are not visible to the naked eye. Even if a house looks clean, it could be infested with dust mites.
Pollen
While pollen originates outside, it can still enter the home through windows, screens, doors, and even on the bodies of people and animals who have spent time outside. Pollen is scattered through the air by plants. Different types of plants have different types of pollen. The type of pollen found in and around your home will depend on the types of plants found in your environment.
Most people are only allergic to certain types of pollen. If plants you’re allergic to live in your area, you’re likely to experience problems. If the plants that trigger your allergies are not in your town or neighborhood, you may not experience allergy symptoms until you go someplace where the particular pollen can be found.
Feathers, Animal Hair and Other Animal Particles
Animal hair and feathers are another common source of dust in the home. Pets shed their hair, dander (skin particles), saliva and urine throughout the house. When combined with dust, pet hair can create a variety of allergy problems. Feathers are similarly problematic for people who are allergic to birds. Typically, only one type of animal or bird will trigger allergies for the affected person.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches drop tiny particles (including feces) into the environment, which can cause an allergic reaction. Cockroaches can be found in any environment, but are most commonly found in urban areas. Presence of cockroaches in the home can negatively impact indoor air quality, especially in the areas of the home where the roaches spend time.
Mold
Mold produces fungus spores, which are then released into the air. Mold can be found in homes, especially in places like the bathroom or bedroom, and can be toxic. Homes with a lot of mold, or a lot of one kind of triggering mold, can cause problems for people with mold allergies. All homes have mold, but the homes with the biggest problems are those with humidity and moisture issues. Plumbing leaks, roof leaks and lack of air flow can all contribute to mold development in the home.”
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