Here's how to allergy-proof your home

As your bedroom is likely to be the place you spend the most time in while at home, some steps you can take to allergy-proof it is to avoid carpets and launder the bedclothes weekly in hot water. — Filepic

In your last column, we talked about me having allergic and cold induced rhinitis. How then do I make my living conditions allergy-proof?

Many of the allergens that make you sneeze or have a runny nose may come from the room you spend the most time in.

So let us talk about your bedroom as it is probably the room you spend the most time in.

If you sleep seven to eight hours a day, or use your bedroom for more than just sleep, such as working at your desk, reading in your bedroom armchair and so forth, then you have to focus on making your bedroom as allergy-proof as possible.

How do I do this? I don’t have enough in my budget to buy a new bed.

You don’t need to buy a new bed.

But if you have many allergy issues, you need to wash your bedsheets, pillowcases and blankets/comforter covers at least once a week in hot water above 50°C.

Also, do not use feather or wool beddings.

Use synthetic ones, or the new bamboo materials we have nowadays.

Those feather and wool fibres may be adding to your allergies.

If you have a carpet in your bedroom, now is the time to remove it.

Make sure any rugs you do have are easily washable.

If you must have a carpet, then make sure you vacuum it at least once a week.

In addition, you have to ensure that you shampoo it often.

As for your curtains or blinds, make sure that they are plain cotton or synthetic, and can be washed easily.

Should I use air-conditioning when I sleep? It is so very hot.

Air-conditioning is fine, just make sure your aircon is serviced often.

Don’t sleep in temperatures below 24°C if you get cold-induced rhinitis.

But you should close the windows, just in case pollen comes into your bedroom.

As for your bedroom furniture, make sure your chairs and tables are made of easy-to-clean materials.

Don’t have clutter on your bedside tables or worktables, such as ornaments, flowers, books or knickknacks, as these can pick up dust easily.

Do not sleep with your pets.

You can also opt to sleep with an air filter.

What about the rest of the house?

If your living room is the next most common place you spend time in, all the above advice regarding floors, curtains, carpets and furnishings also apply.

You may also wish to avoid having indoor plants in case they produce pollen.

Living room carpets tend to be more luxurious, so if you really want to have one, you should choose a low pile carpet that is thinner, compared to a high pile carpet, which is thick, fluffy and can trap dirt easily.

Again, it is best to not have a carpet at all.

As for your kitchen, do install an exhaust fan that connects to the outside to remove cooking fumes.

Your stove top hood may not be enough as it just filters particles when you cook, but does not connect outside, so the air gets recycled.

You should also ensure that you do not get mould.

There are plenty of anti-mould products these days that can remove such fungi from your sinks and bathroom.

Beware of your refrigerator, as that can also generate mould. This goes for your bathrooms as well.

How about pets? I have two cats.

It is estimated that around 30% of people have cat and dog allergies.

And many such people still want to keep pets.

If you love your pets so much and cannot live without them, then the only way is to handle your allergies around them.

You get allergies from pets because of animal dander.

Animal dander is not animal fur, rather it is the skin cells that are shed.

Some people react to the dander of certain breeds of dogs and cats, and not to others.

Do note that birds, hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs can also give rise to allergies.

If you can, keep your pets outside the house.

If you really must have your pets inside the house, then make sure you get rid of all the dust often, as animal dander tends to collect in dust.

Keep your pets strictly out of your bedroom.

Vacuum your home at least twice a week. There are now certified asthma and allergy-friendly vacuum cleaners.

Wear a face mask when you are cleaning the house.

Certain breeds of dogs and cats are less likely to trigger allergies.

These are the ones with short hair or which do not shed often, as dander tends to come out with the shed fur.

I think I’m having allergic attacks in my workplace. Is there anything I can do about that?

Employers are required to have health and safety guidelines at the workplace.

There is such a thing as a sick building syndrome, where affected people have stuffy noses and breathing issues.

Anything that can affect you at home also poses the same risk at the workplace.

So, if your employer or the building management is not providing this, you have to speak up and en- sure that the workplace is cleaned and managed as well as your home.

Dr YLM graduated as a medical doctor, and has been writing for many years on various subjects such as medicine, health, computers and entertainment. For further information, email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.