FACT SHEET ON ALLERGY CONTROL:

Year round allergens are the most important for asthma i.e. animals, dust mite, cockroaches and moulds.

DUST MITE CONTROL:

Bedroom

• Remove rugs from bedroom. Damp wipe hard floors weekly.
• Mattress, pillow and box springs must be encased in a mite barrier (plastic or tightly woven fabric). Damp wipe weekly.
• Wash mattress protector, bedding and curtains weekly in hot water (>58 degrees C).
• Avoid feather or foam pillows.
• Blankets should be washable, synthetic or cotton. Avoid wool blankets or duvets.
• Frequently vacuum and clean the bedroom.
• Store dust-collecting toys outside the bedroom or in closed containers. Soft toys should be washed in hot water or placed in a freezer-bag and stored in a freezer overnight.
• Avoid heavy curtains, venetian blinds and upholstered furniture in the bedroom.
• Keep humidity about 50% in summer and 35% in winter.

The two most important control measures are 1. the absence of a rug or carpet in the bedroom and 2. dust mite barriers on the mattress and pillows.

ANIMAL DANDER CONTROL:

• There should be no furry pets or birds in the home. There is no such thing as a non-allergenic dog or cat. If it is impossible to eliminate pet animals then at least do the following:
• Keep the pet out of the bedrooms.
• Weekly baths of pet.
• Aggressive dust control in the bedrooms.
• Eliminate rugs and upholstered furniture throughout the home.
• Use a HEPA filter in the bedroom.

These techniques will reduce the dander levels but not to the same degree as not having a pet in the home. They have not been proven to improve asthma when the child is allergic to the pet.

MOULDS:

• Dehumidify the home, especially the basement.
• Carefully dry and clean any areas of large water-spills in the home
• Clean with Clorox ( 1- 10% solution - 1 tbs in a pail of water with detergent e.g. Tide).

COCKROACHES:

• Must be dealt with effectively and may require professional help.
• In apartments, the management must be requested to deal with the problem.