Seasonal allergies, or hay fever, are very common. According to the FDA, twenty-six million Americans suffer through chronic seasonal allergies (1) to some degree. For some it is a frustrating inconvenience; to others it is a life-threatening condition.
Most people have symptoms that are mild enough to suffer through with only over-the-counter medications. Others have allergies so bad that they have to be very careful of their environment so as not to have a severe allergy attack. There are things that all people who suffer from seasonal allergies can do to improve their quality of life, some of which is as easy as cleaning their homes.
Step One: Vacuum
Someone in the home who does not have severe allergies should be careful to vacuum the home regularly. The vacuum should be equipped with a HEPA filter to contain the dust. Vacuuming helps take care of dust and pet dander.
Step Two: Dust
As dust can be a trigger, dusting the house should be a chore regularly done at least once or twice a week. If it is possible, the allergy sufferer should not be the done dusting. Dusting should be done in a controlled way so that the dust entering the air is minimized.
Step Three: Protect from Dust Mites
Many people with seasonal allergies are usually allergic to dust mites which tend to live and breed in mattresses and pillows. The allergy sufferer should buy and use a special mattress and pillow cover. Another way to protect against dust mites is to treat carpets with an anti-allergy spray which kills them.
Step Four: Minimize Clutter
Book collections are wonderful things-but not for allergy sufferers. They are perfect collectors of dust, pollen and mold. Clutter, even special collections and knick-knacks, collect dust and can be difficult to keep clean.
Step Five: Minimize Pet Dander
Pets can be part of the family. For allergy sufferers, however, pets can be a source of an allergy attack. Pets should be kept outside. If they are indoor pets, they should stay off the beds and the furniture. Pets also need to be kept very clean as they can be carrying pollen on them.
Step Six: Clean the Air
Every home that has an allergy sufferer should use a special air filter that bars pollens, dust and mold from entering the home’s atmosphere. Air conditioning can literally be a lifesaver, and the doors and windows should remain closed. If there is a basement or any damp place in the house, there should be a running dehumidifier.
Step Seven: Shower
It is best for the allergy sufferer to wash her hair every day as hair can also carry pollen. Showering should also be daily to minimize exposure to pollen. Shoes worn outside should stay outside if at all possible. Along with that, clothes that have been worn outside should be washed as quickly as possible.
Protecting the Allergy Sufferer
While allergy sufferers cannot literally live in a bubble, the more protected they are from the outside environment the easier their allergies are on them. It is important to listen to the local forecast for the pollen levels. Once the allergy sufferer knows those pollen levels they can be careful to stay inside as much as possible that day. The more knowledge the allergy sufferer has, the more protected she can be.
References:
(1)http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1998/298_nose.html
