Germ Free Solutions
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Information Center
2008 Copyright Germ Free Solutions
ALLERGENS - PREVENTIVE
Rid Pesky Allergens with Preventive Measures
Reduce exposure to indoor allergens at home by taking these steps
recommended by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology:
Reduce exposure to indoor allergens at home by taking these steps
recommended by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology:
- Remove extra clutter in your home that may be collecting dust. If
possible, remove carpeting and replace it with washable throw rugs.
Don't store anything under the bed. - Put mattresses, box springs and pillows in allergy-proof or "non-
allergenic" cases, which have been shown to reduce dust mites. Buy
bedding that is washable, and wash blankets, sheets and pillowcases in
130 degree water every week. - If possible, keep pets out of the bedroom to minimize exposure to animal
dander. Wash your hands after touching pets. - Clean moldy surfaces, such as the corners of showers. Fix leaks that
may leave surfaces wet and allow mold to grow. Avoid use of carpet in
bathrooms or basements. - Prevent roaches by putting food in containers with tight lids; wash
dishes immediately. Clean under stoves, refrigerators or toasters. Block
areas where roaches could enter the home, especially small spaces, like
wall cracks, window or floor cracks, and outside drains. - Avoid airborne irritants, including tobacco smoke, aerosols, paint,
perfumes, cleaning products, or other strong odors or fumes.
Symptoms of indoor allergies
Indoor allergy sufferers will often wheeze, sneeze, cough and hack their way through the winter
months, thinking they have a chronic cold. In actuality, they are probably reacting to indoor allergens.
Some symptoms between a cold and allergies are similar, such as sneezing and a stuffy or runny
nose. But, if your symptoms are also accompanied with a fever, sore throat, colored nasal discharge,
and aches and pains, then you probably have a cold. With allergies, there is never a fever, the nasal
discharge is clear, and eyes may become red and itchy. Furthermore, while a cold usually lasts about
a week, allergies can last all year.
Prevention of common indoor allergens
The key is to focus on sites where allergens accumulate. The term “allergen” refers to any substance
that can trigger an allergic response. First, you must know which allergens or irritants in your home
provoke your symptoms.
Common allergens and some ways to prevent them include:
Dust mites: These thrive in house dust, which is composed of plant and animal material. Their
droppings are the most common trigger of perennial allergy and asthma symptoms.
Change and clean cooling and heating system filters once a month.
Have your home, car and office vacuumed and dusted frequently.
Wash blankets and bedspreads weekly and sheets and pillowcases more often. Be sure that the
water is above 130 degrees.
Try to regularly wash your curtains and throw rugs.
Molds: These are microscopic fungi. Their spores float in the air like pollen and are present
throughout the year in many states. Molds can be found indoors in attics, basements, bathrooms,
refrigerators and other food storage areas, garbage containers, carpets and upholstery.
Keep bathroom and kitchen surfaces dry, fix leaky plumbing and seal cracks where water can seep in
to avoid mold buildup.
Never put carpeting on concrete or damp floors, and avoid storing clothes, papers or other items in
damp areas.
Reduce humidity in damp areas by using a dehumidifier. Clean dehumidifiers once a week.
All rooms, especially basements, bathrooms and kitchens, require ventilation and consistent
cleaning to deter mold and mildew growth. Use a cleaning solution containing 5% bleach and a
small amount of detergent.
Pets: People are not allergic to their pets’ hair, but to a protein found in the saliva, dander (dead skin
flakes) or urine of an animal with fur. These proteins are carried in the air on small, invisible particles
and can trigger allergy symptoms.
If you have a cat or dog, it might help reduce household allergens by washing your pet once a week.
Do not sleep with your pet. Sleeping with your pet, long or short-haired, greatly increases the amount
of contact with unwanted allergens.
Vacuum and mop your floors regularly to remove excess animal dander.
Cockroaches: These live in warm, tropical climates, but various species dwell in the offices and
homes of humans living in various climates. A protein found in their droppings can trigger allergy and
asthma symptoms.
Frequently remove all household food wastes, including garbage and recyclables. Food should be
stored in sealed containers.
Wash dishes immediately after use in hot, soapy water, and clean under stoves, refrigerators or
toasters where loose crumbs can accumulate. Wipe off the stove top and clean other kitchen
surfaces and cupboards regularly.
Consider a professional exterminator to eliminate cockroaches.
Thoroughly and frequently clean to remove dust and cockroach byproducts.
Indoor allergy sufferers will often wheeze, sneeze, cough and hack their way through the winter
months, thinking they have a chronic cold. In actuality, they are probably reacting to indoor allergens.
Some symptoms between a cold and allergies are similar, such as sneezing and a stuffy or runny
nose. But, if your symptoms are also accompanied with a fever, sore throat, colored nasal discharge,
and aches and pains, then you probably have a cold. With allergies, there is never a fever, the nasal
discharge is clear, and eyes may become red and itchy. Furthermore, while a cold usually lasts about
a week, allergies can last all year.
Prevention of common indoor allergens
The key is to focus on sites where allergens accumulate. The term “allergen” refers to any substance
that can trigger an allergic response. First, you must know which allergens or irritants in your home
provoke your symptoms.
Common allergens and some ways to prevent them include:
Dust mites: These thrive in house dust, which is composed of plant and animal material. Their
droppings are the most common trigger of perennial allergy and asthma symptoms.
Change and clean cooling and heating system filters once a month.
Have your home, car and office vacuumed and dusted frequently.
Wash blankets and bedspreads weekly and sheets and pillowcases more often. Be sure that the
water is above 130 degrees.
Try to regularly wash your curtains and throw rugs.
Molds: These are microscopic fungi. Their spores float in the air like pollen and are present
throughout the year in many states. Molds can be found indoors in attics, basements, bathrooms,
refrigerators and other food storage areas, garbage containers, carpets and upholstery.
Keep bathroom and kitchen surfaces dry, fix leaky plumbing and seal cracks where water can seep in
to avoid mold buildup.
Never put carpeting on concrete or damp floors, and avoid storing clothes, papers or other items in
damp areas.
Reduce humidity in damp areas by using a dehumidifier. Clean dehumidifiers once a week.
All rooms, especially basements, bathrooms and kitchens, require ventilation and consistent
cleaning to deter mold and mildew growth. Use a cleaning solution containing 5% bleach and a
small amount of detergent.
Pets: People are not allergic to their pets’ hair, but to a protein found in the saliva, dander (dead skin
flakes) or urine of an animal with fur. These proteins are carried in the air on small, invisible particles
and can trigger allergy symptoms.
If you have a cat or dog, it might help reduce household allergens by washing your pet once a week.
Do not sleep with your pet. Sleeping with your pet, long or short-haired, greatly increases the amount
of contact with unwanted allergens.
Vacuum and mop your floors regularly to remove excess animal dander.
Cockroaches: These live in warm, tropical climates, but various species dwell in the offices and
homes of humans living in various climates. A protein found in their droppings can trigger allergy and
asthma symptoms.
Frequently remove all household food wastes, including garbage and recyclables. Food should be
stored in sealed containers.
Wash dishes immediately after use in hot, soapy water, and clean under stoves, refrigerators or
toasters where loose crumbs can accumulate. Wipe off the stove top and clean other kitchen
surfaces and cupboards regularly.
Consider a professional exterminator to eliminate cockroaches.
Thoroughly and frequently clean to remove dust and cockroach byproducts.
