Allergies are very common, especially in children. An allergic Reaction is the body’s immune system attacking an allergen that may be a harmless substance that does not irritate other people. These allergens trigger reactions, and some reactions can be severe and even life-threatening.

If you or someone in your family, or someone you know, has allergies you may want to take steps to reduce the number of triggers in your home.  

Why Should I Reduce Allergy Triggers In My Home?

If you or a member of your family suffers from allergic reactions, you can reduce the number of reactions they experience by limiting the number of triggers, or allergens, in your home. This is incredibly important if you have a child with allergies, as their allergic reactions can be quite distressing for them.

By testing for allergies, you can find out what allergens trigger reactions in your child. The Children’s Allergy Doctors have a testing programme that can quickly identify a child’s allergies and help you put a plan together for limiting their exposure to their allergens and how to treat their reactions.

What Are The Common Allergy Triggers?

Pet allergies affect many people, including children. The hair from the pets is the usual trigger, so try to ensure that it is kept to a minimum and cleaned up regularly. It is possible to keep a pet in a home where someone has an allergy to it, but this is very difficult. Try to keep the animal outside if you can.

Dust mites are another common trigger. It is impossible to remove them from your home, but there are things you can do to reduce their numbers and help reduce the number of reactions a dust mite allergy sufferer has. Carpets and curtains are often breeding grounds for dust mites, so consider switching to blinds that can be easily wiped clean and laminate or hardwood flooring.

Mould is another common trigger that can affect people with asthma in particular. The spores from the mould can enter the lungs when breathing and cause asthma attacks. People with mould allergies can often struggle to breathe when exposed, making this allergy dangerous and even life-threatening. Try to keep your house free from mould and dampness and pay close attention in the wet and winter months.

For food allergies, such as nut allergies, you can keep those foods off your shopping list and out of your home. This often means other members of the family have to give up these foods too, but they can still consume these foods when eating out.

Are There Any Tips For Keeping Triggers Out Of The Home?

Keeping the windows closed can be very helpful to allergy sufferers, as it keeps airborne triggers out of the home. This can be difficult in hot weather, so try to plan ahead and use fans or air conditioning in summer rather than opening your windows.

Clean your home thoroughly and regularly. Dust mites like to live in fabric, so you should regularly vacuum any fabric sofas, chairs, cushions and curtains.

These simple steps can help make your home safer for allergy sufferers in your family. This will help reduce the number of reactions they have and the stress and discomfort they cause.