The best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid the allergen that causes it. However, this is not always easy. Allergens such as dust mites or fungal spores can be hard to spot and can breed in even the cleanest house.
It can be hard to avoid pets, particularly if they belong to friends and family, and many food allergies are triggered because people do not realise they are eating it. Below is some practical advice that should help you to avoid the most common allergens.
House dust mites
One of the biggest causes of allergies are dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic insects that breed in household dust. Below are a number of ways that you can limit the amount of mites in your house.
- Choose wood or hard vinyl floor coverings instead of a carpet.
- Fit roller blinds that can be easily wiped clean.
- Remove cushions, soft toys and other upholstered furniture.
- Use synthetic pillows and acrylic duvets, instead of woollen blankets or feather bedding.
- Use a vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter, because it can remove more dust than ordinary vacuum cleaners.
- Wipe surfaces with a damp, clean cloth, as dry dusting can spread the allergens further.
Pets
It is not the pet fur that causes an allergic reaction - it is exposure to flakes of their dead skin, their saliva and their dried urine. If your personal circumstances prevent you from permanently removing the pet from the house, you may find the following tip useful.
- Keep pets outside as much as possible, or limit them to one room, preferably one without carpet.
- Do not allow pets in bedrooms as their skin flakes can remain in the air for a long time.
- Wash pets at least one a fortnight.
- Castration will reduce the production of allergens by male cats and dogs.
If you are visiting a friend or relative with a pet, ask them not to dust or vacuum on the day you are visiting, as this will stir up the allergens into the air. Taking an anti-histamine medicine one hour before entering a pet-inhabited house can reduce symptoms.
Mould spores
Moulds can grow on any decaying matter, both inside and outside the house. The moulds themselves are not allergenic but the spores they release are. Spores are released when there is a sudden rise in temperature in a moist environment - such as when central heating is turned on in a damp house, or someone dries wet clothes next to a fireplace. Some ways that you can prevent mould spores are outlined below.
- Keep your home dry and well ventilated.
- Do not dry clothes indoors, or store clothes in damp cupboards.
- Dehumidifiers can help reduce damp in your house.
- Scour sinks and tubs at least once a month.
Food allergies
By law, food manufacturers must clearly label any food that contains something that is known to cause a food allergy, such as celery, cereals, crustaceans, eggs, fish, milk, mustard, nuts, sesame seeds, soybeans and the preservatives sulphur dioxide and sulphites. By carefully checking the label for the list of ingredients, you should be able to avoid an allergic reaction.
Many people experience an allergic reaction while eating out at a restaurant. Ways to avoid this are outlined below.
- Do not rely on the menu description alone - many sauces or dressings could contain allergens.
- Communicate clearly with the waiting staff and ask their advice.
- Simple dishes are less likely to contain 'hidden' ingredients.
- Avoid places where the is a chance that different types of food could come into contact with each other, such as buffets or bakeries.
Pollen allergies
Pollen allergies, more commonly known as hayfever, are caused when plants release pollen particles (pollinate). Different plants pollinate at different times of the year, so when you get hayfever will depend on what sort of pollen(s) you are allergic to. Typically, people are affected during spring and summer. To avoid exposure to pollen you can:
- Check weather reports for the pollen count, and stay indoors when it is high.
- Wear wrap-around sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen.
- Keep doors and windows shut during mid-morning and early evening, as this is when there is most pollen in the air.
- Avoid grassy areas, such as parks and fields.
- Get someone else to cut the grass for you.
Severe allergies
If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), carry two epi-pens or anapens with you at all times. Wear a Medic Alert or Medi Tag medallion or bracelet, so people are aware of your allergy in an emergency, and consider telling your teachers, work colleagues and friends so they can administer your adrenaline injection in an emergency and call an ambulance. Following this advice could save your life.
