Dust Allergy
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The best place to attack dust mites is in the bedroom where we spend about one-third of each day. These microscopic pests thrive on dead skin flakes as a food source. The average bed can contain up to two million dust mites. To reduce dust mite exposure in the bedroom and home, here are a few simple suggestions.
ENCASE all pillows, mattresses, box springs and comforters in dust-proof, zippered encasements to create a barrier between you and the dust mites as well as other allergens.
WASH all bedding - blankets, sheets, pillow cases and mattress pads - in hot water (130 F.) weekly. If cold or warm water is required or desired, de-mite is an effective dust mite control laundry additive. AllerSafe and Allergen Wash are concentrated laundry detergents that control allergens created by dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mildew and mold.
IMPROVE the quality of air in your home by installing high efficiency A/C filters to help trap airborne allergens. High efficiency filters such as an electrostatic filter or disposable pleated filter.
HEPA AIR CLEANERS can be used to reduce airborne allergens and improve overall air quality, especially in the bedroom. Purchase air cleaners made by quality manufacturers such as Honeywell (Quiet-Care) and Austin Air.
VACUUM using a HEPA-filtered unit designed with a sealed system to lower the allergen level in your carpets and home. Most vacuums offer powerful pick-up action while releasing unfiltered, dirty air from the back of the unit. Purchase vacuums made by quality manufacturers such as Eureka and Nilfisk.
TREAT CARPETS and rugs with products that neutralize protein allergens and/or kill dust mites in carpeting and upholstered furniture. Dust Mite Control, AllerSafe Spray and Allersearch ADS Spray are safe and effective products.
ANIMAL DANDER can be controlled on the pet by using AllerSafe dander neutralizing shampoo and Aller-Pet conditioner. AllerSafe and Allersearch ADS Sprays can safely and effectively be used on carpets and furniture to neutralize pet dander.
AVOID using down-filled comforters and pillows. Consider using the hypo- allergenic Primaloft comforter, pillows, dust-proof duvet covers and dust-proof Allersoft pillows.
USE CLEANING AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS developed for people with allergies, asthma and chemical sensitivities. Products by Envirorite do not compromise air quality because they are free of common respiratory and skin irritants, petroleum solvents, fragrances, dyes and toxic and semi-toxic ingredients. Cleans powerfully without health risks.
MINIMIZE dust buildup by avoiding dust collectors such as wall pennants, throw pillows and knickknacks. Use an electrostatic dust cloth to aid in dust removal. Wear a mask while dusting or vacuuming if you are dust-sensitive.
Written by dpi on May 2nd, 2007 with no comments.
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Air purifiers convert dirty air into fresh and clean air, and also free the air from pollutants and contaminants. They are very beneficial for people suffering from allergies and can help alleviate asthma. Allergy inducing particles within the air may come as dust, pollen, pet dander or mold spores.
There are numerous air purifier brands and manufacturers worldwide. It becomes too tough for a customer to pick the air purifier of one’s choice from the huge range available.
The best idea is to do some research online. Thanks to the online reviewers, there are some good air purifier comparisons and reviews on the Internet.
A decent air purifier review will honestly depict the pros and cons of a specific air purifier. Therefore, going through numerous air purifier reviews will help you make a good decision before buying an air purifier.
There are a large number of air purifiers including Oreck Super Air 8, Sharper Image Ionic Breeze GP, Friedrich C-90A, Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Quadra, Blueair 601, Bionaire BAP1300 Quietech HEPA, Honeywell HEPA 50250, Hunter Quietflo 30400, Vornado AQ535, Hunter HEPAtech 30375 etc.
Oreck Super Air 8 is a good quiet machine, quite effective at clearing the air of a number of pollutants, allergens, and irritants. It’s efficient, covers a large area and quite inexpensive having a strong warranty.
Sharper Image Ionic Breeze GP is a good home air purifier having a germicidal UV lamp. Ultraviolet radiation is capable of combating many pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. It’s quiet and quite effective in air purification, with a 5-year warranty. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America awarded it with a Consumer Product seal as its “proven to reduce airborne allergens and irritants including dust mite allergen, pet dander and cigarette smoke”.
Friedrich C-90A is good, efficient but a little noisy and bit costly also. Sharper Image Ionic Breeze Quadra is also good at removing pollutants and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America also awarded it with a Consumer Product seal.
Blueair 601 using activated carbon technology is particularly effective in removing odors and gases. It’s considerably cheap with 10 Year Overall Warranty.
Bionaire BAP1300 Quietech HEPA is a powerful air purifier, a bit noisy and requires a regular filter change. It has a 5-year warranty.
Honeywell HEPA 50250 is good and effective in small rooms. Its price line is good with a 5-year warranty. Hunter HEPAtech 30375 is a good device having an ionizer that can be controlled independently.
Recently, there has been a controversy that ionizing air purifiers produce ozone (O3 poisonous allotrope of oxygen) that can worsen asthma and decrease lung function. Some critics feel that air purifiers are over hyped devices that can’t completely clean the air and protect against secondhand smoke.
Article Source: http://www.articleco.com
Paul MacIver writes articles on a variety of health topics. For further info on the health benefits of air purifiers visit Ultimate Air Purifiers. Ultimate Air Purifiers is the sister site of Dehumidifiers You may freely reprint this article as long as this resource box is included, and links are intact.
Written by dpi on April 24th, 2007 with no comments.
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The house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is about half the size of a dot or period on a newspaper. The mite has no eyes, no organised breathing system, cannot drink and lives for approximately 3-4 months. Twenty droppings a day may be produced by the mite, which means approximately 2000 during its lifetime. The HDM can get nourishment from its own droppings and may eat them up to three times over. The females can lay from 60-100 eggs depending upon living conditions, which ideally, are warm dark and damp for breeding mites. Most modern conventional beds provide perfect breeding conditions!
The mite will not bite. It is a scavenger with a preference for discarded old mouldy human skin scales. As a scavenger, however, it will eat pollen grains, insect scales, house dust, plant fibres and old bits of dead mites. The mite is a necessary cleaner in nature. We must learn to understand and respect the house dust mite. This simple creature has been on earth for about 23 million years. It has lived with man for about 10,000 years.
The most important thing to know about the mite is that it consists of up to 80% water. A tiny bag of water! Without water it will not thrive!
Written by dpi on April 17th, 2007 with no comments.
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