| Indoor allergens may provoke or worsen asthma | | | | other symptoms, depending on a person's unique |
| symptoms, depending on a person's unique | | | | sensitivities. |
| sensitivities. There are thought to be more than 40 | | | | Winter does indeed offer reprieve for some, but for |
| million people throughout the US who suffer from | | | | a considerable portion of those 40 million Americans |
| indoor allergies | | | | who struggle with allergic reactions, the sun's declining |
| Indoor allergens include dust mites, domestic pets, | | | | rays foreshadow a holiday nightmare more horrifying |
| cockroaches, and mold. Sufferers will often wheeze, | | | | than coal in the stocking. Yes, it is indeed those |
| sneeze, cough and hack their way through the winter | | | | debilitating indoor allergies. |
| months, thinking they have a chronic cold. Indoor air | | | | Those home based allergies may, for some, be |
| contains the same pollutants that are found | | | | present all year-round, but can in many cases be |
| outdoors-smog, soot, and gas fumes. Other very | | | | treated with medicine. However, before you try that |
| common causes include cockroach droppings, and | | | | route to a cure do look at your bedding. |
| even dust mite body parts and droppings. The fact is | | | | Some of the likely sources of exposure are your |
| that for the susceptible our indoor air can make their | | | | pillow, mattress and bedding where they tend to live. |
| lives miserable if homes are not kept clean and | | | | They float into the air when anyone vacuums, walks |
| healthy. | | | | on a carpet, or disturbs bedding, but they settle out |
| It is a harsh reality for people who suffer from | | | | of the air once the disturbance is over. Also |
| allergies in the home, that staying indoors may make | | | | remember to change bedding and pillows regularly. In |
| them just as miserable as cold weather. When you | | | | addition, wash the pillow case and other bedding in |
| look around any house, you will find ways which | | | | hot water each week. Also, wash all the bedding in |
| could be used to help control indoor allergens, or | | | | hot water (over 130 degrees Fahrenheit) once a |
| things that may be triggering indoor allergies. | | | | week to kill and denature the mites and their faeces. |
| Avoid using humidifiers and consider using a | | | | Anti-allergy bedding covers are available which have |
| dehumidifier in your home or in your child's bedroom. | | | | been scientifically tested can significantly reduce |
| A thorough house cleaning can help control | | | | contact with allergen. |
| symptoms. Once the allergens are removed you will | | | | Pets can set very often off the problem, so they |
| no longer suffer sleep deprived nights or hazy | | | | must be mentioned here, and the cure is keeping |
| mornings due to frustrating insomnia caused by your | | | | pets out of the bedroom; washing pets weekly to |
| home allergies. | | | | reduce the amount of dander; and replacing bedding |
| According to the American Academy of Allergy, | | | | and carpeting that has dander in it. Smaller domestic |
| Asthma and Immunology, although it is virtually | | | | animals, such as guinea pig and hamsters can cause |
| impossible to eliminate every possible source of an | | | | the problem as well. These animals distribute allergen |
| allergy, there are many steps you can take to | | | | in their urine within bedding if any is present, so |
| reduce your exposure level and cleaning is the first | | | | always take care with your personal cleanliness. |
| step to carry out. | | | | Finally, always wash all bedding and soft furnishings |
| Unlike seasonal allergies, indoor allergies may last all | | | | on which an animal has lain. |
| year long and can provoke or worsen asthma and | | | | |