Monthly Archives: January 2019

Winter Allergy Tips

When winter begins it marks the end of seasonal allergies that are caused by pollen. However, that also signals the beginning of winter allergies. There are several allergens that may be found indoors that will cause allergies. It’s imperative to ensure that your indoors is sparkling clean through the winter to keep the allergens away from your home. If you suffer from indoor allergies it may be wise to visit the allergist Manassas before winter begins for preventive medication and advise on the best home remedies. In this article, we give tips to ease winter allergies.

Main Causes of Winter Allergies

When the temperatures begin dropping you will be forced to spend more time indoors. You will need to keep the house warm by shutting the windows and lighting a fire. That could result in allergens that trigger your allergies. Below are some of the allergens that cause winter allergies

  • Dust Mites

The bugs will be found in mattresses and beddings. Their droppings and remains cause an allergic reaction.

  • Mold

Mold results when the house is damp and humid. Areas such as bathrooms and basements are prone to mold. The mold spores trigger an allergic reaction

  • Animals

When the temperatures drop most people bring their pets indoors. Animal dander, saliva, and urine may cause allergies.

Symptoms of Winter Allergies

  • Coughing and sneezing
  • Dark circles around the eyes
  • Runny nose and watery eyes

It’s important to visit the allergy clinic so that the allergy doctor can tell whether you are suffering from an allergy, flu or a cold. Allergies will linger for weeks while flu will reduce with time. The allergy physician will carry out an allergy test to determine the kind of allergy you are suffering from and then give you medication. It’s also best to consult the allergy doctor on how to minimize the allergies.

Treatment for winter allergies will include the following

It’s best to visit the allergy clinic for an allergy test before taking any medication. An allergy test will determine the exact cause of the allergies and that way you will know which allergen is affecting you and how to avoid it

Steps to Follow to Minimize Allergen in the Home

Keep the humidity in your House Low

Keep the humidity in the house below 50percent. Dust mites thrive in humid areas and you should ensure that the humidity of your home is below 50 percent. Invest in a dehumidifier to keep your humidity below 50%.

Remove wall to wall carpets

Carpets harbor dust mites and it’s best to remove them. Animal dander and mold will also hide in the carpets. Your house may become damp because of the carpet and that will encourage mold and dust mites. Remove the carpets and rugs and that will reduce the chances of the allergen.

Keep Pets out of the house

If you have a pet reduce contact with the pet. Make sure the pet is clean and have an area far from the living and bedroom where the pet can stay. Bathe the pet as often as possible and that will minimize dander. Have a change of clothes if you play with a pet.

Clean your beddings in hot water

Soak the bedding in hot water at least once a week to help reduce dust mites. Make sure that pillows and mattress have covers that allow dust mites to pass through. Don’t put pillows and comforters on the floor because that will attract more dust mites.

Clean the floor of your house regularly

Mop the floor regularly to ensure its clean. Make sure that your floor is dry and not damp. Keep your bathroom and kitchen dry. Ensure there is good insulation to help reduce mold.

If you Suffer from allergies get help in cleaning

If you are the one suffering from allergies seek help in vacuum cleaning. While the house is being cleaned leave the house to avoid coming contact with the allergens.

Visit the allergy clinic and get a diagnosis. That way you will be able to control the allergen that is affecting you. Consult the allergy specialist on the home remedies you should use to control the symptoms of the allergies. If you suffer from severe winter allergies make sure you see the allergy doctor before the season begins.

Tips to Keep Your Home Allergen Free

If you suffer from allergies the environment, you live plays a major role and it’s crucial to ensure that it doesn’t aggravate your allergies. Even with the best treatment plan if the environment you live in is not conducive that will make your allergies worse. It’s therefore important to ensure that your home is allergen free. After visiting the allergy doctor ensure that your home is not a source of allergens. In this article, we give you tips to help you keep your home free of allergens. It’s best to identify the allergens and then work with your allergy physician on how to you can eliminate allergens. Make sure you follow the care tips given by the allergy specialist to keep allergies at bay.

Tips to Keep Your Home Allergen Free

Bedroom

You spend quite a number of hours in the bedroom and it’s important to ensure there are no allergy-proof your bedroom and the whole house. Below steps to follow to ensure there are no allergens;

  • Invest in dust mite proof covers for your pillows, mattresses, and blankets. Instead of using woolen bedding, replace them with synthetic because it will not harbor dust mites. Wash the bedding with hot water often.
  • Remove the carpet and use tiles or hardwood. Carpets harbor dust mites. If you have to use a carpet, make sure its low pressure and make sure its vacuumed every week.
  • Use curtains that you can wash often. Replace blinds with curtains that you can wash
  • Close windows especially during the high pollen season. Invest in the air conditioner. Make sure the window frame and sills don’t have mold.
  • Choose chair and furniture that is easy to clean. Upholstered furniture will attract dirt
  • Ensure there is no clutter in the bedroom. Remove items that you don’t need. Don’t store books, magazines, and ornaments in the bedroom. Have a different room for children toys.
  • Keep pets out of the bedroom. Make sure they are clean
  • Use an air filter to ensure you get clean air. Make sure that there is a circulation of clean air when you are sleeping

Living Room

  • The living room is an area where you spend a considerable amount of time. Below tips to keep your living room allergen free;
  • Ensure the floor is made of wood or tiles. If your floor mats and rugs, make sure that you clean them regularly.
  • Use furniture made of leather, wood, plastic or metal because it will not harbor dust
  • Use curtains that you can clean
  • Move potted plants from the living room.
  • Avoid fireplaces that use wood or stoves because the smoke will cause allergies. You can use natural gas for your fireplace

Kitchen

  • Make sure that exhaust fan is installed to remove fumes and reduce moisture.
  • Clean the dishes on a daily basis to ensure there is no mold growth
  • Wipe away excess moisture from the fridge to ensure there is no moisture which may lead to mold growth. Ensure that moldy rubber seals are cleaned regularly
  • Ensure there no leaks under the kitchen sink. Clean cabinets and countertops often.
  • Use a garbage can that has a lid to throw food waste. Keep the kitchen free of cockroaches by ensuring there are no food particles lying around.

Bathroom

  • Use a fan to reduce moisture in the bathroom
  • Avoid wallpaper because they will be a source of Mold
  • Leave the bathtub dry and ensure there are no leaks in the bathroom

Basement

  • Remove carpets that are moldy. Make sure that any leaks in the bathroom are repaired
  • Invest in a dehumidifier for your basement to keep the air fresh
  • Store items in plastic bags and bins

Keeping the House Allergen Free

Ensure that you maintain the house at the right temperature. Very hot and humid houses will have dust mites and Mold.

Make sure there are a pest in the house such as cockroaches and mites

Invest in air conditioners to keep Mold away

Have the house cleaned often.

Don’t allow smoking in the house

The above simple tips will make your house allergen free. It’s best to visit the allergy clinic to determine what causes your allergies and that way you will be able to avoid the allergen and reduce the allergy reaction. In case of any severe allergies make sure that you seek treatment from the allergist Manassas.