Medications for Allergy

You cannot do much about the outside environment but you can do a great deal to improve the environment of your own home. The goal of this section is to help provide understanding about the specific allergens or irritants that are causing you problems and to help you create a much improved, purer environment in your home.

Home environment control is simply common sense coupled with a thorough approach to the task at hand. Follow the guidelines and you will be helping your doctor in his or her treatment of your condition and you may find that your quality of life has improved dramatically.

If You’re Building a New Home

Let’s review some features that should be included in the design of your house.

We recognize that most people don’t have the opportunity to build their own home. But this same information can serve as a guide for what to look for when you’re in the market for a new house.

Central Vacuum System

In your low allergen house, install a central vacuum system. This will reduce the recirculation of dust. The system’s collection container should be isolated and sealed.

Central Air Controls Or Other Hardware

Choose central air conditioning with all the appropriate humidifier and filter attachments.

Hot Water Baseboard Heater Or Electric Heater

Avoid heating the house with a forced air furnace. Use electric or hot water heat.

Furnace With Outdoor Entrance

Any furnace installed should be located in a sealed room with access only from the outside.

Appropriate Insulation

Work with your builder to ensure that the materials being used, especially those in insulation, are not risky allergens.

Detached Garage

Keep garages and workshops away from the house so that fumes and dust cannot penetrate the house.

Attached Garage

If the garage is attached to the house, don’t position it under the house. Keep it away from key rooms that you’re especially trying to keep allergen free.

Washing Machine Through Doorway

The washing machine and clothes dryer should be in an enclosed room with the dryer vented to the outside.

Food Storage

If you store food, keep it in a sealed room where you can easily check for mold growth.

Mud Room With Wet Shoes, Boots, Etc.

Build a “mud room” separate from the main living area where all the damp shoes, boots, galoshes, sneakers, and so forth can be left to dry out.

Dressing Room

For a member of the family with allergies, design a dressing room with clothing storage adjacent to his or her bedroom. This way, no dust-collecting clothing need be stored in the bedroom.

Allergy Ideal Bedroom

Design bedrooms with the greatest care, since you spend one-third of your life there. Walls and ceilings should be able to be washed easily. Keep the decor simple, with no books, pictures, or shelving.

Bedding

Everything in the room should be washable. This includes bedding, rugs, and any foam mattresses.

Wood, Metal, Or Plastic Furniture

Furniture should be constructed of wood, plastic, or metal. No stuffed chairs.

Roll-Up Blinds

No venetian blinds or long drapes. Preferably roll-up blinds or short, light, smooth, and washable cotton, terylene, or polyester curtains.

Nook-Free Corner Of House

Maintain “clean lines” throughout the house. Nooks and crannies are dust catchers and opportunities for insects to hide out.

Properly Treated Basement Cement Floor

Cement floors and walls of basements and cellars should be treated with appropriate paints to waterproof, prevent mold growth, and stop breakdown into dust.

Basement Not Finished

No recreation areas or living quarters should be developed below ground level. This avoids the possibility of mold exposure or dampness. Ideally, there should be no basement or cellar at all.

Windows

Doors and windows should be very tight fitting to deny entry of outdoor pollutants into the house.

Wood Floors

Avoid carpets. Opt instead for wood floors or similar easy-to-clean material. If you have rugs, make sure they’re machine washable.

Kitchen Floor Made From Sheet Vinyl

Don’t use ceramic or vinyl tiles. Use sheet vinyl to avoid seams which will collect dirt, mold, and dust.

Bathroom With Tile

Also avoid using tiles in bathrooms. The grouting is always hard to clean and can encourage mold growth.

Kitchen Exhaust Hood And Fan

The kitchen should have an efficient exhaust fan to remove all fumes, cooking smells, and smoke before they diffuse throughout the house.

Easy To Move Video/Audio Cabinet; Range

Ensure that “heat-generating” appliances such as refrigerators, televisions, VCRs, radios, CD players, microwaves, ranges, and dishwashers can be moved for cleaning purposes. These items attract dust.

Refrigerator With Cleaning Access

The refrigerator base is a particular haven for decaying food, insects, dust, and more.

Prune Vegetation Away From The House

And finally, avoid heavy vegetation around the house. Prune trees and bushes regularly.

I realize that’s quite a list. Even in a newly built house, getting all of it accomplished would be a challenge. What’s important is that you do what you can, and keep at it. Over time, you can accumulate some important improvements in your household environment, and they can wind up making quite a difference.

This post has been viewed 17222 times.