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How to make your home Trigger Free
Controlling the home environment is a very important part of asthma and allergy care.| Mold and Mildew | Pet Dander |
| Smoke | Dust |
| Cockroaches |
Let's start by removing allergens from your home:
| Pets.
Many pets can cause allergies, especially cats. Any pet should be removed from the
home if it triggers asthma and allergy symptoms. Cat allergen may stay in the home for
months, even after the cat is gone, because the cat allergen is very sticky. Allergy and
asthma symptoms may take some time to get better, even after removing the cat.
If pets stay in the home, keep them out of the bedroom of anyone with asthma or
allergies. Weekly pet baths may help cut down the amount of pet saliva and dander in the
home. The child with asthma should wash his or her hands after playing with the pet. Goldfish or other tropical fish may be a pet good substitute. |
| Dust Mites. Dust mites are tiny, microscopic bugs found in house dust. Several thousand mites can be found in a pinch of dust. Mites are one of the major triggers for people with allergies and asthma. Control this problem especially in the bedroom because the bedroom is where mites are most numerous. Most dust mites are found in the bedding. |
| Change air filters every month. |
| Dehumidify dark and damp areas. Mites cannot live in a relative humidity under 50%. Use a humidity gauge to monitor levels. Remember -- the water in the dehumidifier must be emptied and the container cleaned often to prevent forming mildew. |
| Indoor Molds. When humidity is high, molds can be a problem in bathrooms and kitchens. Make sure these areas have good air circulation and are cleaned weekly. Bathrooms are a popular place for mold, so wash the tiles and grout frequently. Check corners behind the toilet wherever moisture is apt to collect. |
| Smoke: Wood smoke is a problem for children and adults with asthma and allergies. Avoid wood stoves, fireplaces and barbecues. Avoid tobacco smoke. Don't smoke or allow others to smoke, especially in your house See : "Commit to Quit," a smoking cessation program offered through UTMB. (747-6653) www.utmb.edu (search "Commit to Quit"). |
| Vacuum cleaners stir up dust and allergens in the air even if you have a filter. Unless it is fitted with a very expensive HEPA filter. Anyone with asthma or allergies should avoid vacuuming. If vacuuming must be done, a dust mask may help. |
| Cleaning products or products with strong odors or-perfume should be avoided. If you must use cleaning products with strong odors, do so when the child with asthma is away, then air the room well. |
| 1 | Dust mites burrow in bedding and
pillows. Mites cannot penetrate allergy-proof covers. Encase the pillows and mattress with
zippered, allergen-impermeable encasings. If there is more than one bed in the room, all
should be encased. Use washable, synthetic blankets and pillows (Avoid wool and down blankets. Don't use feather or foam-rubber pillows. Use Dacron or other synthetic for pillows.) Wash all bed coverings and mattress cover in hot (130° F) water once a week. Comforters can be encased in allergen-impermeable interliners with a decorative cover or washed every two weeks. |
| 2 | Minimize use of rugs -- bare wood or tile floors are best. Remove shag carpeting in the bedroom. If this is not possible, apply a 3% tannic acid solution (such as Allersearch Ads – available through Allergy Control Products, Inc. 1 800-422-DUST) to inactivate allergen. One application is good for 60 days. |
| 3 | Remove stuffed furniture and
stuffed animals (unless the stuffed animals can be washed), and anything under the bed. Cockroaches can cause problems, so it's important to get rid of roaches in your home.. Use non aerosol insecticides like roach motels or roach gels. |
| 4 | Use wipeable furniture (wood, plastic, vinyl or leather) in place of upholstered furniture. Dampen dust cloths before using them, so dust will not be airborne. Clean drawers, closets and surfaces with a damp cloth. |
| 5 | Closets need extra care. They should hold only needed clothing. Keep all clothing in a closet, with the door shut. Keep wool clothing in a garment bags. (Do not use the plastic bag that covers dry cleaning.) Avoid moth balls, insect sprays or camphor. If you have a question, avoid anything with a strong odor. |
| 6 | Window coverings attract dust. Use window shades or curtains made of plastic or other washable material for easy cleaning. Avoid heavy curtains and blinds. Use window shades instead. If curtains are used, launder them frequently. |
| 7 | Air-conditioning can help. It allows windows and doors to stay closed. This keeps some pollen and mold spores outside. It also lowers indoor humidity. Low humidity helps to control mold and dust mites. Avoid too much air conditioning or too much heat. Room air temperature should be comfortable for someone with allergies or asthma. Some people can't tolerate a big change in temperature, particularly from warm to cold air. |
| 8 | Paint walls (mold inhibitor paint is available) or use washable wallpaper. Inspect wallpaper for swelling that can indicate mold. Avoid dust collectors, such as wall pennants, macramé hangings and throw pillows. Mold can also be present on live Christmas trees. |
When you're outside . . .
| Keep away from fields, weedy lots and similar areas, especially in the spring and fall. |
| Avoid lawn mowing or wear a mask. |
| Stay away from insecticides and fertilizers. |
| Avoid dusty, smoky or polluted places |
| Stay indoors on days when the pollen count is high. (Pollen counts are highest in the morning.) |
| Dry clothes in a hot dryer instead of hanging them outside. Pollens form the air get trapped in your clothes if you dry them outside. |
| Mold grows quickly on fallen leaves. Keep the yard well-raked. |
Natural Cleaning Agents
| Household Cleaning Agents |
Hazard | Alternative |
| Oven cleaners | Corrosive and toxic | Baking Soda Water Steel wool scrub pads |
| Toilet cleaners | Corrosive and toxic | Toilet brush with
baking soda Mild detergent |
| Disinfectants | Corrosive and toxic | 1/4 cup Borax in 1 gallon of hot water |
| Drain cleaner | Corrosive and toxic | Plunger or snake Flush with boiling water Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with 2 oz. vinegar |
| Ammonia & all-purpose cleaners | Corrosive, toxic and Irritant | Surfaces: Mix vinegar, salt and water Bathrooms: |
| Rug & upholstery cleaner | Corrosive and toxic | Sprinkle baking soda on rug, then vacuum |
| Floor and furniture polish | Flammable and toxic | Mix 1 part lemon juice and 2 parts olive or vegetable oils (shake well before applying) |
| Laundry bleach Moth balls |
Corrosive and toxic Toxic |
Mix 1.2 cup white
vinegar, baking soda or borax Cedar
chips |
| Metal polishes | Toxic | Brass and
copper: Mix lemon and salt Mix lemon and baking soda Chrome: Silver: |
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Copyright 2000. The University of Texas Medical Branch
Last modified:
November 03, 2006
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NIEHS
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