How to improve indoor air quality for kids with asthma and allergies?
Allergies and asthma are not easy to fight but luckily there are many ways in which you can deal with them. Most of the asthma attacks are triggered by some form of indoor allergens, such as dust, chemicals, dust mites, animal dander and mold, which are present in every household. If you have a child with asthma or allergies here’s what you can do to improve indoor air quality and make their everyday life easier.
Ventilate often
The fact that houses and buildings are nowadays built to be airtight, makes it a perfect breeding ground for dust and humidity. Most of the vapors and dust particles end up being trapped inside your home, causing irritation for the patient. One thing you can do is provide good ventilation in your home. For instance, consider opening a window to let the fresh air in, or using an air conditioner to circulate air and filter out smog during the hot summer days.
The right level of humidity is the key
Many allergens love moisture, especially mold and dust mites. The optimal level of humidity in your house should be between 30% and 50% in order to keep the allergens under control. To reduce indoor moisture, you can get a dehumidifier or simply use an air conditioner. They don’t just help with the reduction of humidity levels, but also suppress pollen and other allergens. Furthermore, pay attention to moisture when bathing, don’t water plants too much, and take care of leaky fixtures.
Ban smoking in the house
The worst indoor air pollutant (and the easiest to get rid of) is cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke contains around 7.000 chemicals that have negative effect on asthmatics’ lungs. Secondhand smoke also causes cancer, different infections and sudden infant death syndrome. The affect on the smokers themselves is even worse. Think about the health of your child, your family and your own, and quit once and for all. If that is not an option, make your home a no-smoking zone.
Avoid strong fragrances
Different fragrances are another well-known enemy of asthmatics and people with allergies. Even thought we all want our house, car, clothes and bodies to smell nice, there are many different chemicals that are contained in every synthetic fragrance. Many people with asthma should avoid using strong-smelling perfumes, air fresheners and cleaning products to avoid causing attacks. Try switching them for unscented products and carefully read the label for the recommended amount. Store the products properly and ventilate often.
Get air purifiers
Those who are allergic to mold and dust react positively to air purifiers that remove airborne allergens. They work best in bedrooms, but you must be careful where you place them. Avoid putting them near the floor or the kid’s bed, because they can pick up allergens from the carpet. If you want to choose the best air purifiers for allergies, look for the ones with HEPA filtration. Get them only after you have cleaned up you home from all the triggers first.
Remove dust mites and animal allergens
It’s especially hard to get rid of dust mites since they live on human skin and on other warm-blooded animals. They also thrive in mattresses, linen, drapes and carpets. Make sure you dust regularly, protect mattresses with plastic covers, de-clutter (particularly in the bedroom), and wash bed linen and clothes often. Dust mites love moisture, so keep humidity between 30% and 50%. If possible, keep pets outside, and give them baths regularly. Also, get pillows and comforters made of artificial materials so as to avoid those stuffed with feathers or kapok.
Indoor allergens and air pollution have become a greater problem than ever before. We tend to spend more time inside, and the way we build our homes keeps all the irritants inside. No matter what you do, you can’t cure allergies, but you can keep them under control. Follow steps above and help your loved ones have a healthier and easier life.
Author Bio
If one thing is true about Lillian Connors, her mind is utterly curious. That’s why she can’t resist the urge to embark on a myriad of home improvement/DIY projects and spread the word about them. Check her out on LinkedIn.