Common Allergens – House Dust

House dust is not dust that blows in from out of doors, Instead, house dust is produced indoors from fibers & breakdown of plant and animal materials in the house. These plant and animal materials included feathers, cotton wool, jute, hemp, animal hairs, etc. They can be fond in such items as stuffing in mattresses, pillows, quilts, upholstered furniture, and carpets.

The components of house dust also may include human skin scales, animal dander and saliva and a large variety of molds. Other allergy triggers found in the house are proteins from cockroaches and microscopic dust mites, which are related to spiders, produce allergenic proteins which are one of the major triggers of asthma and other allergic reactions. House dust mite allergy is specially troublesome in homes where the indoor humidity is high or in houses at a low attitude. Dust mites can be found throughout the house, but they especially thrive where human dander is located, such as on mattresses, pillows, bed covers, upholstered furniture, and carpeting.

How to reduce dust in the Home
Indoor environmental control is very important and effective in reducing allergic triggers. The bedroom is an important room to begin with, because more time is spent in the bedroom than any other room in the house. Here are some ways to reduce dust and other irritants in your home environment.

1. Bedrooms
Smooth, uncluttered, easily cleaned surface are recommended, Small objects, such as kinick knacks, books, records, tapes, stereos, televisions and stuffed animals should be placed in drawers or closed cabinets. Avoid using your bedroom as a library or study room. Reduce the furniture  to a minimum. Avoid heavy curtains, thick carpets, tapestry and wall hangings. Use synthetic fabrics.

2.Mattresses
Encase mattress in airtight covers.  Controlling dust mites in mattresses requires either regular vacuuming or putting them in dust free casings. The easier solution is to place zippered, air tight plastic or special allergen proof fabric casings on pillows, mattresses and box springs. Use Dacron or foam pillows.

3.Bedding :
Bedding must be washable and should be washed weekly in hot water. This is necessary since washing with cool water does not kill dust miters. Comforters and pillows made of down feathers, kapok, and cotton should be replaced with items made from synthetic fibers such as Dacroon  of Orion. Comforters and pillows should be replaced every two three years.