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Spring Cleaning Keeps Allergy at Bay: Report

spring Cleaning Keeps Allergy at Bay
(Photo : Flickr) Spring Cleaning Keeps Allergy at Bay

Spring cleaning not only keeps your house neat, it can help ward off the risk of asthma and allergies, according to a report by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.  

 Experts believe a regular cleaning regime can significantly bring down the chances of infections and allergies.

James Sublett, an allergist and ACAAI president-elect and past-chair of the ACAAI Indoor Environment Committee said in a news release, "Thoroughly cleaning your home can help eliminate allergens and keep new ones from easily entering. Allergy season can last all year for those sensitive to indoor allergens, but it can worsen in the spring months when pollen becomes an issue. It's important to remove allergens from the home so you can lead a healthy and active lifestyle."

The agency issues simple tips and new guidelines to keep home and environment free from allergies.

The allergens and dust mites accumulate in the indoor and outdoor living spaces throughout the year with changes in temperature and weather. The outdoor area and gardens are mostly loaded with allergy inducing pollens and bacteria that spread after coming in contact with contaminated surfaces. The experts recommend people to limit the time spent outdoors and wear protective gardening gears, pollen masks and gloves while handling plants, moving lawns and using chemical fertilizers.

Regular vacuuming and dusting carpets, rugs and door mats using high energy particulate air (HEPA) filter can get rid of allergens, pet dander, fur and saliva dropping collected over months or years that cause breathing discomfort to asthmatics.

The report advises on changing and dusting off the air filters at least once in every three months and using filters with MERV ratings of 11 and 12. Tiled and damp surfaces in kitchens, basements and bathrooms develop moldy crust in humid weathers and rainy seasons. These can be scrubbed and wiped off clean using mild detergents and cleansing agents and must often be left dry. Standing water collected in sinks and gutters must be immediately cleaned and dried to avoid far-reaching growth of mold and fungus in the walls and floors.

Experts also warned against the excessive use of room fresheners and scented sprays containing chemicals that react with pollen particles in air spiking asthma attacks. They suggest replacing them with natural air fresheners that are safe and keep rooms fragrant.  

Apr 12, 2014 09:47 AM EDT By

MD News Daily

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