Dust allergies – symptoms and ways to alleviate them

No home is 100% dust-free. In fact, it is safe to say that dust is one of the compulsory elements of this world, same as death and taxes, as the old saying goes. The trouble is that many people develop dust allergies, in addition to more often triggers of asthma. Such cases require special care and cleaning services.

Dust accumulates in pretty much every area of the home – it gathers in corners, comes in layers on all kinds of surfaces and goes airborne the moment you open a window or sweep the floor. Dirt, soot and pollen make two-thirds of dust, with the remaining part made of hair, clothing fibres, food particles, mould spores and dead human cells too. Because of this mix of elements, dust often turns into an irritant and allergy-contributor.

In case you have eczema, your skin is sensitive, or you suspect you have an allergy to dust/dust mites, you have to take steps to minimise the dust levels in your home. That is the best way to manage dust allergy symptoms. In the case of eczema, you should know that dust mites and dust, in general, can exacerbate the symptoms, which leads to scaly, itchy patches of skin.

If you are no fan of dust, you are probably not alone. People who have some allergy owe their symptoms to the dust particles and the dust mites within. The latter are microscopic little critters that thrive on dust. They dwell on carpets, upholstered furniture and bedding. It is their leavings that usually causes severe allergic reactions in people. It is dust mites that are typically the number one cause for all of these symptoms: a runny nose, sneezing, skin rash, itchy skin and eyes and asthma symptoms (especially in young people).

To keep your allergies under control, you need to take several steps outlined below:

• Upholstery cleaning – to minimise dust on upholstered furniture items, you have to vacuum them every so often. A vacuum cleaner is an ideal tool for the job, though you must not forget about professional cleaning as well.
• No pets in the bedroom – pet dander is another element that can trigger allergic symptoms. Don’t allow pets in your bedroom to minimise contact with pet dander there.
• Frequently wash bed linen – don’t let dust mites accumulate on your sheets. Wash them with a hypoallergenic washing powder/laundry detergent to minimise the danger they pose.
• Stay on top of humidity – invest in a dehumidifier; humidity usually exacerbates allergies, so keeping it in check is a must.
• Vacuum curtains – the carpet is not the only area of your home that should be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. Curtains too accumulate a great deal of dust and should, therefore, be vacuumed on a regular basis.

Now that you know more about dust and how to keep it under control, you can better manage your allergies. As you can see, home cleaning is a sure way to benefit your health.

For more information please call: 020 3907 7267

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