It can be difficult to manage allergies, especially if you travel a lot. In fact, it may sometimes feel like dust, dirt, and pollen are an unavoidable part of life.
However, there’s one place where you have all the control: your home. This simply means you can turn your personal living space into a hypoallergenic haven, where no allergens can trigger your condition.
Here are some tips to make it easier for you to manage your allergy at home:
Keep a Stash of Allergy Medicines
If you have allergies, one of the best things you can do to keep them at bay is to always have a stash of the right medications. Indeed, antihistamines should be a staple in your first aid kit so you can take a tablet or two for immediate relief. This is especially important during critical hours, such as at night when you’re about to sleep.
Fortunately, allergy medications are readily available; just make sure you purchase from a drugstore Philippines-based consumers truly trust so you can count on their quality. For your safety, take note of the expiry dates. Write them on a card or a piece of paper, and stick them on the cover of the first aid kit so you can avoid taking expired medications. Finally, make sure to store your first aid kit in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Change the Way You Dust
One of the most common allergy triggers is dust. It’s practically everywhere, so you can’t really avoid it. However, you can change how you clean so that the dust doesn’t get scattered or blown away to other areas (or worse, onto your face).
Aside from cleaning from top to bottom, it’s also a good idea to throw away your traditional feather dusters or rags. Most of these only move dust around and don’t really do a good job of actually removing it from surfaces. Instead, buy a few pieces of high-quality microfiber cloth. Dampen these with a little water (or a dust cleaning solution where applicable) to effectively trap dust and other microscopic debris.
Remove Carpets OR Vacuum Them Regularly
Carpets can help improve air quality in the sense that they trap dust, dirt, and pet dander, thus removing them from the immediate breathing space. The problem with this is that when these particles accumulate, even a single footstep can dislodge the particles and release them back into the air.
As such, it may be better for you to replace wall-to-wall carpeting with other types of flooring like hardwood, vinyl, marble, or even linoleum. For accents, opt for small area rugs that can be easily washed. If wall-to-wall carpeting is necessary, choose something low-pile like nylon or olefin. In addition, be sure to shampoo and vacuum the carpet regularly. For best results, use a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter so you can get rid of the smallest particles.
Clean or Change Your Aircon Filters
For your utmost comfort, make sure to clean or change your aircon filters whenever necessary. Depending on the age and model of your unit, as well as the air quality, you may need to clean the filter every 3 months or so. For example, if you live in a dusty area, your aircon filter may need more frequent cleaning. If the filter is old, it may need replacing.
Speaking of filters, consider using a HEPA filter in most-frequented areas like the living room and bedroom. A HEPA filter can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, which means you can drastically reduce the presence of allergens like dust, pollen, and mold.
Use Curtains or Washable Blinds
When it comes to window treatments, use curtains instead of blinds. This is because while curtains— particularly those made of cotton—can trap dust and dirt, they are also easier to clean and wash. Thus, compared to blinds that accumulate debris on the blades, curtains are much more allergy-friendly. If you don’t like curtains, look for washable window shades as an alternative.
Lessen Contact With Pets
Being a pet lover and allergy sufferer can be a difficult predicament. However, if you value your health and comfort, you should strive to minimize your contact with them. As much as possible, keep them out of your bedroom. You should also wash your pet’s toys and furniture frequently.
If you’re just about to get a companion animal, choose a “hypoallergenic” one. In the case of dogs, these usually refer to breeds that are known to produce minimal shedding. Do note that all mammalian pets will shed old skin cells (dander), but those considered hypoallergenic produce fewer allergenic proteins so your allergies won’t be triggered as much.
Wash Your Bed Sheets and Pillowcases Regularly
Another notorious allergen would be dust mites, which sadly make their home in your pillows and bed. To prevent frequent and severe allergy attacks, make it a habit to replace your pillowcases and bed sheets every 2 to 3 weeks. For washing, use warm or hot water and use the right amount of bleach.
You should also consider getting a bed dust cover so that when you aren’t sleeping or using your bed, dust won’t settle on it. Also, don’t forget to also clean your bed frame and headboard.
With these practical tips, it will be easier for you to manage your allergy at home.
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