Allergic Reaction : Starts at Home

Allergic reaction: Tips to Make your Home Allergy-Free

At times, your body’s immune system has an allergic reaction even to the substances, which are otherwise harmless, leading to respiratory problems or skin rashes, also called allergy rash.

What causes allergic reaction at home?

Several allergens exist in your own houses and are capable of triggering an allergic reaction to your body. These allergens include dust mites, cockroach droppings and pet dander. They are found on the floors, furnishings and the air of your homes. Although, it is practically impossible to keep your home 100% allergen-free, regular cleaning can help reduce these to a bare minimum and avoid allergic reaction.

Products causing allergic reaction

Ironically, most of the products that we use to keep our homes clean are products that are sources of chemical irritants and provoke some sort of allergic reaction. Avoiding or restricting their use will reduce the irritant count of your homes significantly.

One of the primary causes of allergic reaction caused by chemicals is formaldehyde. A reduced amount of the same is important to improve the health of the people who are prone to an allergic reaction or hypersensitive. In order to counter the effects of formaldehyde, it is important to remember the following –

• Furniture at home should be made from Pressed Wood.
• New Carpets generally emit formaldehyde. Therefore, when you buy carpets, keep in mind that you must buy environmentally friendly carpets. If the same are not available, you can air the carpet out for a couple of days before using it.
• Quit smoking.
• Plastic is a common source of formaldehyde. Whenever you get new clothes, take them out of plastic and air them before putting them in your closet.
• Ensure that your house is nicely ventilated to avoid allergic reaction

Besides this, there are several other products, which also contribute substantially to the allergen count of your house. These products are as follows –

• Polishes and thinners contain carcinogens and can be particularly irritating to your respiratory system.
• Toilet bowl cleaners and tile cleaners contain acid, which is corrosive to the skin and eyes.
• The bleaching agents used for washing clothes are harmful for the skin and eyes.
• The artificial air fresheners, which are commonly used in our homes, are known to damage the respiratory system.
• The shampoos used for washing upholstery and carpets contain toxic stain removers, which are carcinogenic and corrosive.
• Laundry products
• Antibacterial cleaners contain triclosan, which is known to damage the liver.
• Insecticides and pesticides
• Flea powder.

Some of the products mentioned in this list are essential for house maintenance. Therefore, their usage is inevitable. You may not be able to restrict their usage, but you can restrict your exposure to these products and therefore any allergic reaction, by wearing masks or gloves, whenever required. Your best option is to opt for natural eco-cleaning products which should not provoke any allergic reaction.

Tips to limit the causes of allergic reaction at home

Allergy-proofing your home eliminates the problem from its cause. Here are a few tips that you can follow in keeping your house clean and allergen-free –

• Most of the allergens that enter your house come in with your shoes. Therefore, keeping your shoes outside the house can reduce the allergen percentage in your house substantially.
• Always buy furniture that is easy to clean. Luxuriously carved pieces of furniture are difficult to clean, and store dust and dirt like nothing else.
• Clean your carpets and upholstery on a weekly basis.
• Use impermeable allergy-causing pillows and mattresses. They will help keep the dust mites at bay.
• Clean the filters of your air conditioners and ventilation ducts regularly.
• If you are prone to  allergic reaction or hypersensitivity, keep away from pets as much as possible.
• Do not allow your pets to sit on your furniture.
• Keep a limit on the number of house plants in your house. Regardless of how beautiful they are, they are primary sources of allergens like pollens, and are a source of allergic reaction.
• In seasons when pollens and allergic plants are common, keep the doors and windows of your house closed.

Although, the task may look daunting at first, some compromises can reduce the allergen count in your house significantly, relieving you from any irritating allergic reaction.