Dust Mite Allergy - Causes And Cures
Have you ever experienced sneeze or cough while cleaning the house, or your kids usually sneeze and have red watery eyes? Well it can be because you are allergic to the dust around you. There can be many allergens in this dust like human dander, animal dander, waste of cockroaches and other insects. When any of these allergens comes in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in persons who are allergic to it.
When you inappropriately react to these allergens, you are having an allergic reaction and can be referred to as allergic or atopic. Therefore, people who are prone to allergies are said to be allergic or "atopic." Most of us never experience such allergy, but in some it is quite severe.
Most common allergy caused in home is the dust mite allergy which is caused by a microscopic organism that lives in dust and can be found in almost all the houses and workplaces. They can be anywhere around you. You must have seen that your mattresses and unused clothes become heavy in course of time. This is because of dust and organisms living in it.
These mites thrive in summer and die in winter. But in a warm, humid house, they continue to thrive even in the coldest months. The particles seen floating in a shaft of sunlight includes dead dust mites and their waste-products. These waste-products, which are certain types of proteins, are the reason behind provoking the allergic reaction.
You can get rid of these allergies by following simple steps:
• Clean your house thoroughly on regular basis.
• Use vacuum cleaner to remove dust completely from mattresses, upholstered furniture, curtains.
• Try to avoid pillows that have feather or rubber foam as filling.
• Don't let your pet wander around house much. Limit their access in most of the rooms.
• Avoid carpets. Dust mite love carpets. If you have carpets then vacuum clean them along with washing them on regular basis with good disinfectant.
• Keep stuffed animals in plastic containers and wash them regularly.
• Use AC to keep humidity low and to limit growth of dust mites in warmer months. Change AC filter regularly.
Dust mites are perhaps the most common cause of perennial allergic rhinitis. Dust mite allergy usually produces symptoms similar to pollen allergy and also can produce symptoms of asthma. Common symptoms of dust mite allergy are:
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• Nasal congestion
• Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
• Postnasal drip
• Cough
• Facial pressure and pain
• Frequent awakening
• Swollen, blue-colored skin under your eyes
• In a child, frequent upward rubbing of the nose
Dust mite allergy can contribute to asthma as well, if it happens you may experience:
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest tightness or pain
• An audible whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling
• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
• Bouts of coughing or wheezing that are worsened by a respiratory virus such as a cold or the flu
If you experience any such situation then you must contact an allergist or immunologist in your city for better consultation. Don't be late as these allergies can turn bad with time and may even be the reason to cause asthma. In Delhi during summer time we have many dust storms adding to the household dust and increasing dust allergy. So keep in touch with the allergist if you already have allergy or have a few of the symptoms. Moreover consulting your doctor becomes more important if you have asthma.
The writer of this article is associated with BookMyDoctor.com and writing about the various diseases since a long time, in this article the writer mainly focused on the causes of allergy and primary allergy treatment and at advising about various experienced asthma specialist in Delhi that will be very helpful for the patient.
Top-Rated Allergy Air Purifiers - 5 Features That Make Them Work
Most physicians will confirm that an allergy air purifier is an essential part of an effective management plan for those whose condition is triggered by airborne allergens. But in order to be effective it should have the following 5 features.
Filter For Particles---Many of the irritants that trigger airborne particles are found in the air. Seasonal pollens, dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, and pet dander can trigger symptoms and even a flare up for those who have allergies.
HEPA or high efficiency particle arresting filters can successfully eliminate airborne particulates that are as small as .3 microns in size. This includes all of the triggers listed above. However, many of these solids can be eliminated by filters with bigger openings and that are far less expensive.
Pre-filters are made of a cotton ball sort of material and can trap the bigger particles in the air that can be seen with the naked eye. Having these filters as part of the filtration system can prolong the life of the HEPA which will save you time and money down the road.
Filter For Gases---Gaseous pollutants can also cause problems. Things like smoke, fumes from household personal and cleaning products, chemicals that off-gas from carpet, pressed wood furniture, and paint can all cause flare ups.
Carbon cloth in a purifier is invaluable. Originally designed by the British Military as a response to chemical warfare, this type of filter offers dual benefits. Because it is made of carbon it can effectively eliminate gases, odors, and chemicals. And because it is woven like cloth, it gives additional protection against particles.
Canister of Filters---The more filters present in a unit, the more filtration you receive. This seems like a no-brainer, but there are cleaners with no filter or just one filter. It seems reasonable to assume that a purifier with a canister of filters will last longer and require less maintenance than one with one filter or no filter.
Produces Oxygen Only---There are many types of technology on the market that claim to provide clean air. Ozone and ionization are 2 technologies that remain controversial. What everyone agrees about is that oxygen as a by-product is the safest way to go. In fact, HEPA technology is the type used by hospitals to insure clean air.
24 Hour Filtration Capability----One of the best ways to manage allergies is to avoid the trigger. So if your cleaner can filter the air continually, it can drastically reduce the amount of allergens in the air. Breathing air that has fewer triggers means you stand a better chance of reducing the number and severity of flare ups. And that's the whole purpose of an effective air purifier.
Manage your allergies by drastically reducing your exposure to the particles and gases that cause problems. See the cleaner that is top rated again and again now at http://purerair.com/allergy_machine.html