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COMMON INDOOR ALLERGENS – THE FACTS


House dust mite


House dust mites are found in large numbers in most houses in the UK in bedclothes, mattresses, sofas, curtains and pillows. Those allergic to house dust mites fi nd their symptoms are normally worse at night or fi rst thing in the morning. But as mites are also present in carpets, soft furnishings and soft toys, we are exposed to them throughout the day.


Chemicals There are huge ranges of chemicals we use every day from household cleaning products to cosmet- ics. Some of these are known to cause allergy-type problems directly; others in some way irritate people already allergic to other substances. Even low levels of chemicals may affect many allergic people. It is important to reduce the load of chemicals to which we are exposed each day by switching to un-per- fumed and fragrance free products.


Mould


Mould releases spores and it’s these spores that cause allergic reactions. Spores are microscopic par- ticles released by moulds in their thousands into the atmosphere. When in contact with skin or breathed


in through the airways it can cause symptoms such as itchy eyes, eczema, rhinitis and asthma. It can also you make you feel tired, which is caused by your immune system battling against mould spores.


Simple steps to reduce the amount of allergens around your home:


✔ Dust regularly using a damp duster fi rst, then a dry cloth. Otherwise, you are just moving the


dust around and making the allergen airborne


✔ Wash bedding once a week at 60°C or higher to remove house dust mites. Allergy UK’s research


revealed 16% of people wash bed linen every three weeks or less. And with 58% washing bed- ding at 30 or 40 degrees, house dust mites are set to stay


✔ Regularly steam clean carpets and curtains


✔ Freeze babies soft toys over night and then wash at a low temperature. Keep only one soft toy in the cot or bed and keep the others sealed in plastic bags ready for use


✔ Use allergen-proof barrier covers on mattresses, duvets and pillows


✔ Replace your mattress every 8-10 years. Research found 13% have had their current mat-


tress for 11 years or more, where as 3% have kept theirs for 20 years


✔ Buy new pillows every year unless you have


pillows that can be washed at over 60 degrees – don’t wait fi ve years or more, as do 25% of allergy sufferers


✔ Use an air purifi er to help remove and reduce allergens such as pollen, house dust mite debris


and mould spores. Filters, which are specifi cally designed to remove the most diffi cult particles, are called HEPA fi lters, and these are the most effective at reducing allergens


✔ Buy products that have been tested to ensure they prevent the escape of the house dust mite


allergen. Look for the Allergy UK Seal of Ap- proval™


✔ Ventilate your home – moulds fl ourish in damp environments


✔ Thoroughly clean your kitchen, bathroom and utility room , and ventilate these areas, as they


are prone to mould, due to the steam and hu- midity of cooking , bathing and washing


✔ Open windows and close kitchen and bathroom doors when cooking, showering and bathing to


prevent steam entering other rooms ✔ Don’t hang wet clothes inside or over radiators


✔ Keep house plants to a minimum and change the soil regularly. Use pea-shingle over the top of the soil as mould cannot settle and survive on it.


ALLERGY UK HELPLINE


If you think you might be suffering from an indoor allergy, call Allergy UK’s helpline to speak to a trained allergy advisor on


01322 619898 or visit our website:


www.allergyuk.org 20 WWW.MUMSSURVIVALGUIDES.CO.UK


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