Talk Mold

Invisible Guests Cause Allergy Troubles

For most of us our home is our castle. But for more than 20 million Americans, invisible house guests can be the cause of year round allergy symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose or congestion, and dry, scaling, skin.
Uninvited Allergens

Homes everywhere in the world are full of two uninvited, but common allergens (generally harmless substances that can cause allergic reactions), dust mites and mold.

Dust mites are tiny spiders that can only be seen with a microscope. Household dust is a dust mite’s castle. Their favorite room is the bedroom where they feed on the large portion of the skin flakes we shed. They love warm and humid air. The thousands of mites that inhabit just a pinch of dust leave up to 200 times their body weight in waste. This waste contains a protein that is an allergen for many people.

Molds also thrive in humidity. Bathrooms, kitchens and basements are their comfort zones. Household mold and mildew produce microscopic spores (seeds) that are released when humidity is high. These spores are allergens that can cause hay fever-like symptoms when they attach themselves to the lining of the nose. If the spores reach the lungs they can cause asthma and other serious illnesses.
Can You Evict These Intruders?

It is impossible to be completely rid of dust mites and difficult to entirely wipe out household mold. However, with an aggressive approach you can minimize their effects. Similar measures for the two allergens are:

Keep the humidity in your home below 50% for dust mites and ideally at about 35% for mold.
When using dehumidifiers, drain them regularly to clean the condensation coils and bucket.
Wash bedding weekly in water that is at least 130′ F to remove dust mites and the potential for mold created by perspiration.

Other Effective Actions You Can Take:
For Dust Mites

* Use allergen-impermeable covers on your mattress and pillows, being sure to tape over zippers.
* Remove the bedspread at night.
* Remove carpets from the bedroom.
* Use plastic or washable materials for window coverings.
* Put clothes in plastic bags in the closet.
* Use a damp mop or cloth when you clean or dust.
* Ask someone without dust mite allergies to dust and vacuum and stay away from the area until the stirred up dust can settle.
* If you must dust or vacuum, wear a filtering mask.
* Look into special filters for vacuums that reduce the amount of mite waste that can re-circulate into the air.
* If you must have floor coverings in other areas of the house, low pile carpets that are frequently steam cleaned are preferable to a deep pile. However, hardwood floors, tile or linoleum, are easier to clean. Area throw rugs can be easily washed in hot water.

For Molds

* Reduce dampness in the bathroom by installing an exhaust fan or keep the window open whenever possible.
* Repair plumbing leaks immediately.
* Remove bathroom carpeting.
* Scour sinks and tubs regularly. You can use laundry bleach (dilute one ounce in a quart of water) for problem areas.
* Clean garbage pails often.
* Clean the refrigerator drip pan and the gaskets on the door.
* If your bedding is made with polyurethane or rubber foam, it should be covered in plastic or replaced with other materials.
* Your old books, newspapers, bedding and clothes should be recycled or thrown away.
* Houseplants can form mold so check them often or keep them outdoors.
* Make sure ground water drains away from your house.
* Add a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter attachment to your central air conditioner to help trap spores before they reach you. Your air conditioner should also be cleaned regularly.

Consider Immunotherapy

If these anti-dust mite and mold measures don’t reduce your symptoms, talk to your doctor about immunotherapy (allergy shots). Minuscule amounts of the offending allergens are injected regularly over a 2 to 5 year span. The amount of the allergen extract is gradually increased, building your tolerance over time. As the treatment progresses you may find your sensitivity to the specific allergen reduced and your reactions becoming milder. Your symptoms may even disappear.