How To Manage Childhood Allergies Around The Home

It seems that childhood allergies are becoming more prevalent these days. Perhaps it is because we are far more likely to seek the help of a doctor now than our parents and grandparents did, which provides improved statistical information.

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Many allergies have no medical treatment. It is not that they can’t be treated, just that it is preferable not to treat them unless they become severe. Medical intervention at an early age can have after effects later in life, so it is better to handle allergies externally where possible.

Conditions such as asthma, that are aggravated by allergic reactions to a child’s surroundings are manageable in the home. We are able to control the symptoms of hay fever and dust allergies too if we are determined to do so.  Here are a few ways you will help to manage childhood allergies around the home.

Considerate Cleaning

Household cleaning products contain all manner of nasty ingredients that will aggravate eczema and asthma. Try to make the switch to more natural cleaning solutions.

• Lemon juice is a powerful and natural cleaning product that is suitable for use all around the home, except for on real wood furniture. Mix it with water to dilute and fill a handy spray bottle to make it convenient to apply. Then it is easy to spray the solution in kitchens and bathrooms to leave surfaces hygienically clean.

• Vinegar is great for killing bacteria and cutting through limescale. White vinegar makes an excellent substitute for chlorine bleach in toilets and down plug holes. The fumes from chlorine aggravate sensitive lungs and, though vinegar smells, it does not give off nasty fumes.

• Use natural beeswax on wooden furniture instead of an aerosol spray. Do not use aerosols where there is a danger of irritating someone’s lungs.

Personal Care

Only buy products formulated for use by allergy sufferers. Roll on deodorants are best, and chemical free soaps are on the market that cost no more than branded soap.

Regular Vacuuming

Remove dust by regular vacuuming. Vacuuming used to cause problems when it stirred up dust, but new models that have received accreditation by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation have HEPA filters that prevent suffering.

Carpets

Once a year, experts advise that carpet cleaning specialists come in and deep clean the carpets to remove dust mites and other microscopic pests. People often replace carpets in preference of wooden flooring for severe sufferers.

Beds

Replace mattresses every couple of years with new. In the meantime, use anti allergy covers that protect a sufferer from mites that live in all mattresses. As an extra measure, use a domestic steam cleaner to kill surface bugs and prevent them causing problems.

Air Conditioning

In the worst cases, air conditioning helps. Hay fever sufferers in particular will benefit from a system that takes air from outside, filters it, and applies a positive air pressure to the home, preventing the ingress of pollen.

Luckily, allergy symptoms tend to die away for the majority of children when they grow. That is small comfort as you watch them suffering, however, so keep a constant awareness of your surroundings, and you may find more novel ways to help. You are not alone in this fight, so join some online forums and talk to others, you will be amazed at the difference you can make.