Address: Trinity Technology Campus, Grand Canal Quay,D.2
Contact: Caitriona O’ Donovan, Programme Manager
Phone: 00353 - 1 - 6336821
E-mail:caitriona@
Website: www.healthfriendlyair.com
Spring Cleaning: Let's Clean up Indoor Allergens
“For those that suffer from asthma or allergies, spring cleaning is an important step to take in order to reduce symptoms” says Dr Bruce Mitchell who is Medical Chairman of Allergy Standards Consulting and a consultant immunologist.
Spring is usually the start of the allergy season but many allergies that are associated with spring are often caused by poor air quality in homes rather than just outdoor pollen.
According to Dr Mitchell, “the dust mite, domestic pets and moulds represent the major perennial allergens. In Irish homes the house dust mite (which thrive in house dust) is by far the most important domestic allergen. Children with asthma, rhinitis or eczema are usually allergic with the great majority reacting to house dust mites. High allergen levels can be found in carpets, furniture, toys and in particular bedding. Mattresses, duvets and pillows can all accumulate high levels of allergen, many times higher than levels known to trigger allergic response”.
If a person is allergic and they suffer with unpleasant symptoms such as sneezing, wheezing, headaches, coughing, eye irritation or even flu-like symptoms these may be caused by allergens in their home air. Or maybe they suffer with allergic asthma and indoor allergens are triggering acute asthma attacks.
Dr Mitchell says “Air quality in the home plays a major role in our health, particularly if you suffer from asthma or allergies. The World Health Organisation and many other specialist organisations all agree that avoidance of exposure to indoor allergens is an important element in the treatment of allergic disease.To understand how your home might contribute to a lack of wellbeing you must first know what is present in that indoor environment. Excess allergens and irritants will induce adverse symptoms in sensitised individuals”
To avoid high allergen exposures it is necessary to know the nature and level of allergens in the home. Once a person knows whether the allergens they or their family are allergic to are an issue in their home they can take the necessary remedial action recommended by doctors and specialists to ensure that their home environment is healthy.
To help identify common indoor allergens which affect home occupants health an established healthcare organisation called Allergy Standards have introduced a new health friendly air™ test which tests for allergens in settled dust in the home.
Using the health friendly air™ home tests for allergens, the person can collect the required dust samples from various sites in their home and send the dust collection filters to the Allergy Standards laboratory for a complete analysis by specialists. They will then be sent a detailed report, which accurately identifies the level of particular allergens present in their home.
Once the allergic person knows exactly what and where the issues are they can use the personal allergen avoidance plan included in the report to carry out a really effective and targeted home Spring Clean which will allow them to control allergens that maybe causing them to feel unwell. However Dr Mitchell advises that when cleaning “allergic individuals should wear a mask while cleaning and avoid inhaling allergens or leave while cleaning is underway”.
For those that suffer with allergies or allergic asthma they may also wish to consider the following tips for their home:
•Ensure that bedding items such as pillows and duvets have outer coverings that prevent house dust mite passage (the most common indoor allergen).
•Select bedding items that can be washed repeatedly at greater than 55 degrees celsius, the temperature known to kill house dust mites.
•If the mattress does not have an encasing vacuum mattress every week.
•Use washable rugs instead of carpet on hard, easy to clean surface. Wash rugs regularly.
•Minimize the number of dust-collecting accessories in your home, such as books, plants, knick-knacks, pictures, etc. Damp-dust (wipe with a damp dust rag) them frequently.
•Regularly place soft toys in the freezer for 24 hours before you wash them, or wash them in hot water.
•Clean walls, woodwork and floors with wet cloths on a weekly basis. Never use a dry cloth since this just stirs up dust mite allergens.
•Adequate ventilation is crucial to well being. It also lowers humidity that favours mite and mould growth.
If you would like more information about this topic please contact Caitriona O’Donovan on 00353 -1 - 6336821 or at caitriona@allergystandards.com
