A test with an Allergy Doctor in Louisville KY has determined the cause of a child’s chronic sneezing, sniffling and runny nose. The youngster has an allergy to dust mites. Now what? Microscopic dust mites live in every home, but fortunately, there are strategies to keep the population way down. Having a very clean home with humidity in the optimum range along with the ability to trap these mites are two effective measures.
Choosing Furnace Filters
Dust mites aren’t trapped with little devices placed around the building, but instead with a high-quality furnace filter that catches a large percentage of microscopic particles. The filter must be changed as directed on the label. This minimizes the amount of dust in the home too. When dusting, it’s best to use a damp cloth, so allergens aren’t stirred up and waft around the room.
Installing a Dehumidifier
Central air conditioning reduces summer humidity to a certain extent, but it may not keep it below 50 percent. Dust mites thrive in moist air. Ideally, the humidity in a home is between 40 to 50 percent. This can be accomplished with a whole-house dehumidifier.
Dealing With Fabric
Reducing the amount of fabric in the child’s bedroom is advisable, as mites primarily live in cloth material. The bedroom isn’t the place to store blankets and linens.
The pillow can be covered with a special case that blocks mites because of the tight weave of the fabric. Linens should be laundered weekly, preferably in hot water. Blankets should be washed regularly too.
The bedroom should not be carpeted if at all possible. In fact, an Allergy Doctor in Louisville KY may recommend eliminating carpeting in the home if the child’s symptoms are troublesome enough, but that can be cost-prohibitive as it may require adding new flooring as well. Daily vacuuming will help.
Choosing Allergy Shots
If all these methods don’t reduce the child’s symptoms to a more comfortable level, a doctor such as C. Steven Smith, M.D. may recommend allergy shots. Over time, these injections of a tiny amount of the allergen gradually decrease a person’s sensitivity to the substance. Find more information at the website.