5 Ways to Reduce Indoor Allergens Instantly

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

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5 Reminders to Help You Cope When Your Little One is Sick

You’ve not had a shower for two days, you haven’t slept properly for a week and you can’t remember the last decent meal you ate. Welcome to the Calpol Club.

When your little one is ill, you’re understandably worried 24/7, and it's likely you're putting your mini-me’s needs ahead of your own. You’re up with them through the early hours, reading and re-reading the medicine instructions you already know by heart and watching their every move. I know you feel like you’ll never leave the house again, but you will – just probably not today.

So, when you’re not being a napkin ninja and cleaning food off floors/walls/your face, take a second to realise that actually, you’re doing the best you can, and no, you’re not the world’s worst parent.

So, in honour of you being the household hero (no, really) we’ve compiled a little list of things you can do to help you get through the mini war zone your living room/bedroom/life has become.

Stay calm

This is easier said than done, but allowing yourself to get even more stressed won’t help you or your child. Take a step back and acknowledge you’re doing your best, even if your toddler’s tantrums say otherwise.

Get some rest

You need to be alert and aware when looking after your little one, so be sure to get some decent sleep when you’re able to. You’ll feel better after a few hours of rest, so when your child finally dozes off – that’s your cue.

Don’t forget to eat

It’s easy to forget to have breakfast, lunch and dinner when you’re busy tending to the needs of your child, but try not to. You need to keep your energy levels up, so try to eat regularly to stay on top of things.

Ask for advice

Don’t be scared to ask for help. Whether you have a question for your doctor, or want some advice from your best friend (a mother-of-four, how does she do it?) you should always seek support when you need it.

Enjoy downtime

Yes, really. A big part of your little one’s recovery process is downtime, which means you’re entitled to the same. If that means an evening in front of the TV with your child, or a blanket and their favourite toy – great. However, don’t feel bad if you decide to call upon your other half or the babysitter while you step outside for a quick run or a trip to the shops. Do whatever you need to do to keep a clear head.

#childhood #child #children #babies #toddlers #wellbeing #health #healthcare #illness #disease #medicine #medication #stress #parenting

3 Reasons Why You Should Explain Asthma to Your Child

Being a parent is no easy task, what with football practice, endless laundry and homework (that you don’t necessarily understand) on your mind. Then, there’s the dreaded musical instrument phase, and the top 40 on the radio is no longer the soundtrack to your evening because it’s been replaced by pitchy renditions of Greensleeves. We’ve all been there.

However, having to think about all of this when you have a child with asthma is even more challenging. You’re not only packing their lunch and making sure their shoes are on the right feet, but checking to see if they’ve got their inhaler and watching out for unusually frequent coughing. 

Whether your child is at nursery, primary school or secondary school, it’s important to help them understand asthma and make sure they know what to do when the symptoms make an appearance. Why? We’re glad you asked.

Confidence

Once they have a better understanding of asthma, your child will feel more confident and less frightened should the symptoms make themselves known. If your child understands the condition, they’ll be able to explain it to those who don’t - be it children at the bus stop or in the playground. In turn, they’ll soon realise that there’s no need to feel embarrassed.

Knowledge

Explaining the condition to your little ones will encourage them to take asthma more seriously, and they will know not to ignore any symptoms. This will mean your kids will be more disciplined when it comes to taking their medicine. If they understand the severity of asthma, they’ll realise how important it is to remember their inhaler. 

Reassurance

If your child knows what to expect, how to react and who to speak to should his or her symptoms arise when they’re away from home, you’ll both be reassured when apart from each other. Knowing that your child has a strong understanding of asthma will also allow you to relax and get on with your day without worrying. 

Ultimately, there’s only so much you can do to manage asthma – be it your child’s or your own. The Sensio AIR medical advisory board advocates the use of prevention as opposed to over-treatment of patients, so be sure to take the appropriate steps to stop the signs of asthma before they start. Start by ensuring your home is dust and fur-free, void of unnecessary household chemicals and monitored by an accurate air quality monitor.

Tags

#asthma #allergy #respiratory #disease #triggers #cause #children #health #symptoms #SensioAIR #air #pollution #allergens