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5 Ways to Reduce Indoor Allergens Instantly

  • Sep 27, 2018
  • 2 min read


Allergies are the medical equivalent of unexpected guests who don’t wait for an invitation, and tend to outstay their welcome. Stubborn, unforgiving and ultimately quite draining, allergies (and certain people) can have a negative impact on your life.


Indoor allergens are often responsible for many sufferers’ symptoms. You don’t have to skip through a field of flowers or work in a dusty environment to be affected by allergens, because actually, many of them are already in your home, making themselves comfortable and unlikely to leave any time soon. Remind you of anyone?


Now, we can’t do much about that neighbour who’s trying just a little too hard to be your friend, but we can do something about the other relentless presence in your home. Here, we round up five simple ways you can keep your house as allergen-free as possible.


Remove visible mold

If you’ve noticed patches of mold creeping up your basement or bathroom walls, it’s definitely time to do something about it. Mold and other fungi grow in moist, humid environments, and can be responsible for year-round allergy symptoms – so be assertive when it comes to removing dampness.


Swap your carpets

If you’re not a fan of square slates, don’t worry. You can swap your carpets for hardwood flooring in this instance. Allergens become attached to the fine fibres and are difficult to remove, while dust mites inhabit cosy, comfortable areas like carpets, curtains and other upholstery around your home.


Wash bedding frequently

Washing your bedding in hot water, and using high heat to dry it, will also help when it comes to battling it out with allergens inside the home. The high temperatures will ensure that any pesky particles will detach themselves from the material, and you can sleep easy at night. Try to clean your bed sheets and pillowcases at least once a week.


Keep pets separate

Rather than saying goodbye to your beloved companions for good, why not try keeping them restricted to a specific area or room in the house? If your dog or cat has been outside, they’re likely to return to the house with particles on their fur. Avoid having animals in your bedroom, and keep them as clean as possible.


Invest in technology

By opting for an indoor air cleaner, such as a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) device, you’re instantly improving the quality of air in your home. Additionally, you can purchase an air quality tracker that not only detects the particles in your home, but identifies them as well. Sensio AIR is set to hit shelves next year – find out more about the innovative device here.


Sources

http://www.everydayhealth.com/allergies/dust-mite-allergies.aspx

http://www.aafa.org/page/dust-mite-allergy.aspx


Image courtesy of Peter Raimann / Pixabay



7 Do's and Don'ts for Anyone with Asthma

  • Sep 5, 2018
  • 2 min read

Updated: Sep 6, 2018



Asthma is truly debilitating at times, and we know exactly how much the respiratory condition can affect your everyday life. While some things might seem obvious when it comes to minimizing the effects asthma can have on you, some aren’t as clear.


Here, we round up seven do's and don’ts to remember when it comes to managing your condition and preventing your symptoms.


Don’t smoke

An obvious one, smoking is harmful in all situations, regardless of whether you suffer from asthma or not. However, if you do have respiratory issues, you should avoid smoke wherever possible. Whether this means kicking the habit or simply preventing people from smoking in your home or car, be sure to take the necessary steps to avoid cigarette smoke.


Do keep your home clean

Regular maintenance at home will prevent a build-up of dust, dirt and pet dander – all of which contribute to unwanted symptoms of asthma. Change your sheets regularly to avoid a dust mite invasion, and vacuum frequently (especially if you share your home with a cat or dog).


Don’t stop exercising

If you’re into fitness, try not to let your asthma get in the way of your exercise routine. If you’re new to the gym scene, don’t let it put you off trying something new. Working out is beneficial for many reasons, and it’s better to discuss your concerns with your doctor rather than quit exercising altogether.


Do prepare your own food

In order to manage your diet effectively, try to prepare your own food when and wherever possible. This will allow you to keep on top of your meals, as many pre-packaged food items contain preservatives and chemicals that could trigger an asthma attack. This also applies to those who suffer from allergies.


Don’t put off visiting your GP

This is important. If you have asthma, it’s crucial to have regular check-ups with your doctor. Don’t wait until you’re feeling extremely unwell to pick up the phone and call your GP – visit them regularly to ensure you’re doing all you can to keep your condition under control.


Do try yoga

Yoga is undeniably effective when it comes to managing stress – one of the key triggers of asthma. Practicing deep breathing and meditation techniques will aid you when it comes to controlling your stress levels, and these soothing exercises will mean you react to stressful situations in a calmer, more rational way.


Don’t forget your inhaler

Try to pack a spare inhaler in your bag, briefcase or carry-on so you’re prepared wherever you are. It might seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget – so always have one on hand to avoid panicking should you have an asthma attack away from home.




Image courtesy of Freestocks.org, Unsplash

9 Times Asthma Really, Really Got on Your Nerves

  • Sep 3, 2018
  • 3 min read


We know that asthma is serious, and understand how it can affect you on a day-to-day basis. While we’re here to offer advice and support, we’re also here to lighten the mood. Because if you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at? Here, we present the nine times asthma was the most annoying thing ever.


When you took the stairs

You’ve been fantasizing about a ground-floor apartment for months because of this. It doesn’t seem fair that climbing two short flights of stairs has you feeling like you’ve just run the London Marathon – except you don’t get a medal and no one is cheering you on.

When you went for a run

If you’re a parent to a child that’s old enough to call you out on your mistakes, you’ve probably attended a school sports day on more than one occasion. Yes, we too thought this meant grabbing the dog, a blanket and a picnic basket, but there’s actually a parents’ race for you to take part in. Do we need to continue?

When you were late for work

If I’m being honest, this actually happened to me this morning. It’s not the ideal situation to find yourself in at 8am, especially when you’ve only applied mascara to one eye, have your laptop clutched under your arm and a tendency to fall over. Oh, and asthma.

When you went on that date

Okay, so this one is particularly stressful. It’s Friday, you’ve spent a fortune on a new outfit and you’re actually “really excited about this one.” Fast-forward an hour and you realise mid-meal than you’ve left your inhaler at home and you’ll have to forego dessert.

When you saw that movie

For some bizarre reason, you decided to give your friends full control of your Netflix account and now you’re face-to-face with Ryan Gosling as he confesses his love to Rachel McAdams in the rain. Uncontrollable sobbing isn’t the best look, especially when you’re asthmatic.

When you took a plane

There’s only so many of those feeble little coughs you can get away with before you give up and give in. Being in a small, compact space next to a complete stranger is never fun – but if you’re prone to sneezing, wheezing and coughing, well, good luck.

When you walked the dog

Everyone loves getting outside once in a while, and what better way to enjoy the outdoors than a hike with a furry friend, right? Wrong. Whether they’re refusing to come back or busy leaping into rivers, they know how to make you sweat - and not in a good way.

When you bought perfume

This can be a real ordeal, and is usually why many opt for the scent in the prettiest bottle as opposed to the one that actually smells nice. Honestly, we can’t think of anything worse than having to pay out so much for something so little – all while having ‘eau de can’t breathe’ sprayed all over us.

When you went ‘out-out’

Unfortunately, alcohol can actually make your asthma worse – so after-work drinks can pose a risk (to your health, not your pride). The histamine in alcoholic drinks can trigger your symptoms, even after a few sips. So no, you’re not a lightweight, you’re just asthmatic. #asthma #allergy #respiratorydisease #triggers #cause #children #health #healthcare #symptoms #SensioAIR #airpollution #allergens #illness #allergens #allergen #pet #pets #dander #fur #animals #animal #dogs #cats #dust #skin #tech #technology #food #drink #alcohol #wine #travel #culture


Image courtesy of Suhyeon Choi, Unsplash

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