As cooler fall weather approaches, we tend to head indoors—and straight into a nest of indoor allergens.  We’ve found that the following tips are helpful to allergy sufferers and can make home an allergy-friendly respite.

Control those dust mites.

A common indoor allergen is the microscopic dust mite that is a relative of the spider. Dust mites live in bedding, carpeting, and upholstered surfaces.  When vacuuming or moving bedding, it’s easy to stir up irritating particles that cause sneezing and runny nose.

Particular attention should be given to the bedroom where we spend at least 6 to 8 hours a day.  Mattresses, pillows, and box springs should be covered with airtight encasements designed to be a barrier to dust mite particles.  Bed linens should be washed in hot water every 7 to 10 days.  A bedroom without carpeting is best for patients who are dust mite allergic.  Upholstered furniture should be removed from the bedroom.  Stuffed animals, fabric hangings, and heavy drapes should also be removed from the bedroom.  Running air conditioners and keeping humidity low are also helpful in controlling the dust mite population.

Limit pet access throughout the home.

Pets are also another source of indoor allergen.  Almost 50 percent of homes in t he United States have a cat or dog.  About 10 percent of the population is allergic to animal dander.  This rate increases to 25 to 30 percent in asthmatics.  The best way to decrease symptoms of pet dander allergy is to avoid having pets in the home or by limiting the areas where the pet is allowed to go. Rooms without carpet are easier to rid of pet allergens.  The pet should not go into the allergy sufferer’s bedroom.  Washing cats and dogs frequently also decreases the amount of allergens in the home. Damp wiping solid surfaces and washing all washable fabrics frequently will reduce pet allergen.

Eliminate opportunities for mold to grow.

Mold grows where moisture exists – such as leaky pipes or condensation from warm baths and showers – and when there is a food source for them to grow on such as wallboard, wood, garbage, houseplants.  Addressing these will decrease mold growth in the home.  Installation of an exhaust fan in a bathroom, removal of houseplants, and decreasing the amount of carpeting in a home will help decrease exposure to indoor mold.

Following these recommendations may significantly decrease exposure to indoor allergens and enhance the quality of time spent indoors.

Dr. Betty J. Mirro - Dr. Mirro, founder of EMAA was born in Huntland, TN.  She graduated from the University of Tennessee School of Medicine and completed her residency there in the Department of Pediatrics where she also served as chief resident.  Her fellowship training in Allergy and Immunology was at Children’s Hospital in Boston, Harvard Medical School and UT.  She is board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, and is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Tennessee. Her special interests include sports induced asthma and eczema.