Dust

Control your dust allergy by controlling exposure.
When you have an allergy, the tiniest things can be quite irritating.  Take dust, for example.  Dust can luck everywhere in your home- on linens, mattresses, carpets, curtains, in closets-ready to make your life miserable.

The Dust Mite.
Believe it or not, your dust is more than just dust.  This microscopic mite thrives in dust, especially in warm, humid environments.  If you have a dust allergy, your main mission is to eliminate this little pest..

Begin in the bedroom.
The key to reducing symptoms is the careful cleaning of all rooms where you spend most of your time.  Since we all spend about a third of our lives in the bedroom, that’s the place to start.  Here are some simple steps you should take: 

• Since mites can grow abundantly in the dust in your bed, the single most important thing you can do is to enclose mattresses, box springs and pillows in vinyl or synthetic coverings.

• Change bed linens every week and pillow cases every day.

• Use washable blankets and bedspread.  Wash bedding in hot water to kill the dust mite.

Other ways to fight the Mite.

• Eliminate upholstered furniture, carpeting, wall hangings, drapes and other dust collectors from the room.

• Don’t let items your rarely use gather dust in the closet.  Don’t store items under the bed, either.

• Dust collects in the nooks and crannies of textured wall and floor coverings.  So, if possible, use hardwood, vinyl or tile floors, and painted, paneled, or wallpapered walls.

• Wet mop and vacuum frequently.

• No stuffed toys.  Toys should be made of plastic, wood or metal.

• Use air filtration devices to purify the air.

• Maintain clean, adequate filters for home heating and air conditioning systems to avoid spreading allergens throughout the house.

• Since the mite loves humidity, keep it as low as possible – 35% to 50% to retard it proliferation.

• There are chemical agents for testing for and eliminating dust mites.  Ask your doctor for details.

We’re here to help.
If you believe you have a dust or other allergy, this office can help.  We can perform a number of simple, painless and quick tests to determine exactly what may be causing the allergic reaction.  We can also provide an effective treatment plan and helpful hints to make living with allergies a lot easier.  Ask us for more information today.