Allergy & Asthma

 

    Allergic (extrinsic) asthma is characterized by symptoms that are triggered by an allergic reaction. Allergic asthma is airway obstruction and inflammation that is partially reversible with medication. Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma, affecting over 50% of the 20 million asthma sufferers. Over 2.5 million children under age 18 suffer from allergic asthma. Many of the symptoms of allergic and non-allergic asthma are the same (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, and chest tightness). However, allergic asthma is triggered by inhaled allergens such as dust mite allergen, pet dander, pollen, mold, etc. resulting in asthma symptoms.

 

"The Doctor told me that I should implement an allergen reduction and environmental control strategy in my home…"

 

“Where do I start?” and “What is the most important?”

 

    These are two of the most common questions that are asked on the official website for the asthma & allergy friendly™ Certification Program, www.asthmaandallergyfriendly.com.

Allergens in the home hide in unexpected places.  Nooks and crannies, window sills, children’s toys, a family pet, bedding, carpets, curtains and more, can all be sources for asthma and allergy triggers called “allergens.” Dust mites, mold spores, cat and dog dander, cockroaches, rodents and even pollen brought in from the outdoors can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms and interfere with the most routine tasks

It is first important to realize that it is impossible to completely remove household allergens from the home, but with the proper measures, allergens can be reduced to manageable levels more suitable for those with asthma and allergic sensitivities. That’s why “allergen control, reduction and avoidance” is a cornerstone of asthma and allergy care.  Finding CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly™ household products is a great way to begin managing and reducing your exposure to allergens.  By reviewing your home on a room-by-room basis, you can identify the places where allergens tend to accumulate.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR REDUCING HIDDEN HOME ALLERGENS WITH CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly™ products.

 

• Use only asthma & allergy friendly™ bedding items that are proven to be an effective allergen barrier including pillows, mattress/ pillow encasings, comforters and mattress pads.  Routinely wash the items in water hotter than 130 degrees Fahrenheit according to the custom care instructions included with each of the products. (It is critical that water be hotter than 130 degrees Fahrenheit to kill and remove dust mites and their eggs, and this temperature is often higher than the setting of a standard water heater). All certified asthma & allergy friendly™ washing machines have been scientifically proven to remove over 95% of household allergens from common household items.

 

• The use of some vacuums may actually make symptoms for some people worse because they leak dust back into the room and increase the levels of airborne allergens. All certified asthma & allergy friendly™  vacuums  have the proven capability to effectively remove various allergens and trap them within the vacuum cleaner system without leakage through the filter, seals, bag or canister/frame during use and waste removal from the machine.

 

• Toys with the asthma & allergy friendly™ certification mark are an ideal choice for those concerned with asthma and allergies. These toys do not contain any fabric or fillings known to aggravate asthma or related allergies. Additionally, their quality and workmanship allow for the effective allergen reduction process of freezing, washing and drying, while maintaining all government safety requirements. Testing of durability and quality has shown that this toy will withstand the custom care code included with each toy.

 

• Every type of flooring is a potential breeding ground for allergens, whether it’s carpet, tile, or hardwood.  Certified asthma & allergy friendly™  floor coverings have a low capacity for allergen retention, the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning procedures must be effective at removing accumulated allergen from the floor covering, and not contribute to a significant increase in airborne allergen levels that may result in redistribution of rather than overall reduction of allergens

 

To see a full list of products and retail stores, or to learn more about the asthma & allergy friendly™ Certification Program, visit www.asthmaandallergyfriendly.com.

 

DID YOU KNOW

 

    Ordinary house dust is actually made up of a collection of all types of allergens – pollen from outdoors, pet and human dander, mites, dirt, insect droppings, mold, and more – all of which can be allergy and asthma triggers.  Keep all hard and soft surfaces wiped and vacuumed weekly to reduce house dust overall.

 

 

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