You should be able to avoid any external irritants at home, such as those who use their phones to play music without wearing headphones. Being at home, however, can aggravate a dust allergy, causing sneezing, watery or itchy eyes, a runny or congested nose, and general misery.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, if you have a dust allergy, you are actually allergic to dust mites, which are tiny creatures that live off of household dust and moisture in the air. According to the organisation, dust mites are one of the most prevalent indoor allergens. If your house has become your enemy due to a dust allergy, you are not alone.
Simply cleaning your home may seem like the answer, but how you clean is actually very important, according to Maeve O'Connor, M.D., founder and medical director of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Relief in Charlotte, North Carolina. And if you have asthma and your allergies might cause an asthma attack, this is very crucial. So we need professional bond cleaning services.
If you suffer from a dust allergy, consider these cleaning suggestions rather of calling it in.
1. I'm sorry, but at the very least once a week, you should tidy your home.
For those who suffer from indoor allergies, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology suggests doing just that. Purvi Parikh, M.D., an allergist/immunologist at Allergy & Asthma Network, advises SELF that it's best if you can do it more frequently. It's important to attempt to clean at least twice a week, she advises. Please don't look at us that way! It's easier said than done, as we all know. Do what you can, just that.
2. Use a damp dust cloth rather than one that is bone-dry.
A dry cloth won't accomplish anything. Dr. O'Connor retorts, "You're simply pushing dust around." To assist remove dust and the mites that feed on it, she advises using a damp cloth. You may use one of the many dusting sprays available, or you can just dampen a cloth with water, advises Dr. O'Connor.
3. Use the proper sort of vacuum when you do it.
Vacuuming at all is preferable to none at all. The AAAAI advises using a vacuum with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter since it is effective at gathering microscopic particles like dust mites if you truly want to get rid of them. According to Dr. O'Connor, you should also periodically change the filter in your vacuum. Because every vacuum is unique, check the directions on yours to find out how frequently you should do this.
4. When cleaning, put on a mask, gloves, and long clothes.
The ACAAI advises using a N95 filter mask while vacuuming, sweeping, and dusting. According to the Food and Drug Administration, this face mask physically separates your mouth, nose, and pollutants in the environment. It's also quite good at removing tiny particles.
Dr. O'Connor advises going a step further and wearing disposable gloves, slacks, and a shirt with long sleeves while you clean if you frequently get itching skin from dust mites. She advises tossing your gloves after and washing those clothing as soon as possible because they can contain dust mites.
5. After a thorough cleaning, leave the house for a few hours, or at the very least, keep your mask on for a while.
According to the ACAAI, when you clean, dust and dust mites often become airborne and can take up to two hours to settle back down. If you don't want to have sleepless nights, avoid deep cleaning your bedroom just before bed.
6. Clear out any extra junk.
Try to limit the amount of unnecessary items you have lying about that is essentially simply waiting to be a dust trap as everything in your home gathers dust. The AAAAI advises taking away items that are lying about, such as books and trinkets, and keeping toys, games, and cuddly animals in plastic bins.
7. Every week, wash your bedding.
Although it certainly doesn't top your list of priorities, it's crucial to wash your bedding on a regular basis. We all spend the majority of the night in the bedroom, so it's crucial to keep it free of allergens, according to Dr. Parikh. In your bedding, dust mites may live, defecate, and die, leaving behind their revolting little carcasses. According to Dr. O'Connor, this trio may make your allergies worse.
In order to eliminate dust mites, the AAAAI particularly advises washing your bedding once a week in hot water (130 degrees or higher is preferable), then drying them in a hot dryer. This also applies to any other items you wash to get rid of dust mites. Cold water and air drying won't cut it; it's better to get carpets and bedding that can withstand this sort of cleaning. Make sure the clothing you'll be wearing while cleaning may also be cleaned in this manner.
The AAAAI advises purchasing allergen-proof coverings for your comforter and pillows if you know you won't be able to wash them as frequently to help prevent dust mites off your bed linens.
8. Wash the pillows on your couch, too.
Upholstery should be addressed if you have a dust mite allergy since it can include living, dead, and actively pooping dust mites, according to Dr. O'Connor.
Here, you have a few choices. It's a good idea to wash detachable, fabric cushion covers the same way you would your sheets if they are made of cloth. If not, go over the cushions and in between the crevices with your vacuum's nozzle attachment.
9. Remember to replace your heating and air conditioning filters.
Your home's heating and cooling vents filter the air on a regular basis, collecting a lot of dust and dust mites in the process. According to Dr. Parikh, if you don't replace them, they'll only blow the dust and dust mites back into the air that circulates in your house.
The ACAAI advises replacing your filters at least once every three months because of this. The change of seasons might be used as a cue. In order to ensure that your heating and air conditioning systems are effectively filtering your air, the organisation advises having them examined and maintained every six months.
Even better, you might be able to add "high-efficiency media filters" to your systems, which can filter out minute particles. Find out whether this is a choice by speaking with an HVAC expert.
10. If you have severe allergies, have someone else perform this type of cleaning.
According to Dr. Parikh, "If you are particularly sensitive, you may need someone to aid you." If your budget permits, you could find it advantageous to hire someone to thoroughly clean your home once a month, with your spouse or roommate covering the gaps in between. This isn't a free pass to let them do all the cleaning, but if they can handle the dustiest areas while you do things like continue to man the dishwasher.
If you live alone or with a spouse and don't want to burden them with cleaning, you'll probably have to do it yourself.
If you have a dust allergy, doing all of this can seem like a huge hassle, but it can significantly improve your quality of life. No matter how hard you try, Dr. O'Connor believes you will never totally get rid of dust mites, but you can definitely lessen your symptoms.