The best way to prevent symptoms from house dust allergy is to remove as much dust from your home. The main source of house dust is stuffed furniture, mattresses, box springs, pillows, rugs, and stuffed toys. Feathers, “down” and animal hair can also produce symptoms.
It is important to pay special attention to the bedroom where your child spends much of his/her time. This list will help you make your child’s environment less allergic by “desensitizing” the room. Failure to exercise environmental control is one of the most frequently encountered reasons for failing to improve allergic diseases.
MOST IMPORTANTLY–STOP SMOKING!! Smoking in “special areas” of the home or outside does not help because smoke-filled air permeates the house when the air conditioner and heater are on. Many parents feel that if they do not smoke around the child, that there will be no consequence of smoke exposure. Smoke on your hair or your clothes is enough to give symptoms to the child who may be sensitive to smoke.
Cleaning: If possible, clean while your child is not in the home.
1 Remove as much furniture as possible from the room.
2 Wet mop and wet dust the room from top to bottom, including lights, closets, windowsills, shelves, and molding.
3 Vacuum rugs and carpets. Damp mopping should be done with a cleaning solution containing disinfectant (e.g. Lysol) to prevent growth of mold spores.
4 Clean all furniture well before it is put back in the room.
5 Wet mop and wet dust at least once a week and more often if needed.
6 Avoid cleaning fireplaces and furnaces when child is around.
Furnishings:
Bed: The bed in the child’s room should have wooden or metal frames. Do not use a couch, sofa, or hide-a-bed.
Mattress: Place the mattress in a vinyl (soft plastic) cover that has a zipper. Tape over the zipper or vents on the side of the mattress. If a box spring is used, it must also have a plastic cover. Pillows: Pillows should be made of Dacron or other synthetic material. Do not use foam, feather, Kapok, or “down” pillows.
Blankets: Do not use comforters, quilts, or a bedspread on the bed. Use only cotton, rayon, or synthetic fiber blankets. Wash these often.
Air Conditioner/Heater: Change the filter every 2-3 weeks. Check for leaks of smoke in a gas or oil heater. Kerosene fumes are especially noxious to a child with allergies. Cover all furnace outlets in the room with cheesecloth to catch dust in the furnace air. Change the cheesecloth when it gets dusty underneath (about every 2 weeks.)
Rugs: Small, washable cotton rugs may be used if washed often. If you use a rug pad, be sure it is made of rubber. Wood or linoleum flooring with NO RUG is best. In carpeted rooms, vacuum before wet dusting.
Closet: Remove all stored toys, packages, and other articles from the closet. The closet should contain only your child’s clothing and should be as dust-free. Keep all clothes in closets, never lying around the room. Remove all outgrown and old clothes and store elsewhere.
Doors: Bedroom and closet doors should remain closed as much as possible.
Walls: Paint walls or use washable wallpaper. No pennants, pictures or other dust collectors should be on the walls. Venetian blinds really attract dust. Use washable cotton or fiber curtains instead or drapes.
Miscellaneous: Remove all upholstered (stuffed) furniture, window drapes, and other dust catching ornaments from the bedroom including open bookshelves. No perfumes, talc, cosmetics or flowers. Toys should be wood, plastic, or metal but not stuffed.
Family Car: The family car is also a source of dust and smoke. The following suggestions will make the car healthier for your child: Before winter, turn on the car’s heater (with the doors open) for 5 minutes to clean out the heating system. Vacuum the heating outlets. Smoke is especially irritating in an enclosed area. Do not smoke in the car or keep cigarettes in the ashtray. Wash and vacuum the inside of your car often. Wash the car floor mats with Lysol and dry well. Vinyl seat covers help keep dust and mold from inside upholstery in the car.
Other rooms: If a child plays in a room other than his bedroom, it also must be as dust-free as possible.
Sleeping and Napping: Your child should nap or sleep only in his or her bed, which has been prepared as directed. When your child travels or visits, he/she should take his/her non-allergic pillow.
Playing: Do not allow child to jump on furniture or beds nor to wrestle on carpeted floors.
Pets: Pets often cause allergic symptoms. It is best to limit exposure to pets. Find out if pets are at your child’s day care. Dusty objects: Children should not handle objects that may be dusty such as books, boxes, or clothing if they have been stored on shelves or cupboards for long periods of time. Brush off shoes and clothes before storing in the room. Your child should avoid chalk dust. Odorous products: Your child should avoid articles that have strong odors such as perfumes, mothballs, wet paint, gasoline, insect sprays, and room deodorizers.
Allergic Child rev.: 11/10/09