CONTROLLING ALLERGENS IN THE HOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL By avoiding exposure to allergens and irritants (triggers) the symptoms of allergy and asthma can be reduced significantly. Medical studies have shown that environmental control is a very successful treatment. BEDROOM In the home, environmental control measures should begin in the bedroom. Most people spend over a third of their day in the bedroom (sleeping, reading, watching television). The ideal bedroom should be without carpeting if possible. Avoid heavy draperies, carpeting, feather pillows and knick-knacks that collect dust. The most common bedroom allergen is the dust mite, which is found in carpeting, bedding and furniture. People are not usually allergic to the mites themselves, but to their fecal pellets, which become airborne whenever bedding is disturbed. To reduce exposure to the dust mite, pillows, mattress and boxsprings should be covered in mite-proof encasings. Two products that have been found to reduce the amount of dust mite allergens are a 3% tannic acid solution (Allersearch ADS Spray) and powder (Allersearch X-MITE) which cleans carpet and upholstery while neutralizing allergens. Wash all bedding in hot water every 2 weeks. A room air cleaner is helpful in removing airborne allergens, (including cat, mold and pollen). Many different sizes of HEPA room air cleaners are available to properly filter any room size. Doors and windows should be closed when running a room air cleaner. Keep pets out of bedrooms at all times. BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS The greatest problem in bathrooms and kitchens is due to moisture and the development of mold. All leaks should be repaired and mold removed with products such as Clorox, Lysol, etc. Another problem in the kitchen is roaches with can cause allergic symptoms. Use insecticides to kill roaches. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS Use air conditioning when appropriate to keep pollen outdoors. Clean or replace furnace and air conditioning filters regularly. Electrostatic furnace filters are very effective in removing airborne allergens but only are effective when the fan is running. Room air cleaners may be used as well and are especially effective in bedrooms. PETS One of the most difficult things to eliminate from the home (physically and emotionally) are pets. If you can't find a new home for your pets keep them outdoors. If pets cannot be relocated keep them out of bedrooms. Wash cats and dogs every 2 weeks. HEPA air filtration is critical if you are allergic to both pollen and cat allergens because cat allergens build up indoors when you close doors and windows to keep pollen out! POLLENS Most allergies worsen in the Spring and Fall due to increased pollen. Exercising may need to be done indoors when pollen counts are high. If the allergic person cannot avoid yardwork or outdoor exercise a mask should be worn. Preventive medication can be taken before yardwork or exercise is begun. VACUUM CLEANING Vacuuming should be done regularly, and only with a cleaner that has a good filter system so that allergens will be removed, not just blown back into the air to be inhaled. Persons with asthma should wear a mask while vacuuming or dusting. IRRITANTS Avoid strong odors and other irritants in the home such as tobacco smoke, wood smoke, strong perfumes, hair spray, cleaning products and paint fumes. THE BOTTOM LINE Environmental control measures are not meant to restrict or interfere with a persons lifestyle. In fact, these steps should help improve the quality of life by reducing and preventing symptoms. Sometimes, the amount of medication that is needed for allergy and asthma symptoms can be decreased substantially.