Allergies: Avoiding indoor triggers
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Allergies: Avoiding indoor triggers
How can I control allergens in my home?
To reduce allergens inside your home, you can:
- Remove items where allergens build up, such as stuffed animals or rugs.
- Use regular cleaning and housekeeping to prevent allergens from building up.
Measures to control allergens throughout your home include:
- Controlling dust and dust mites, such as dusting regularly and washing bed linens in hot water. Dust contains most of the allergens in your home.
- Controlling animal dander and other pet allergens, which includes keeping pets only in certain areas of your home.
- Controlling molds, which includes cleaning bathtubs and showers monthly.
Because adults spend one-third of their time and children spend half of their time in their bedrooms, it is important that you take steps to prevent allergens in this room.
Other things you can do
Polluted air does not cause allergies, but it can irritate the nose and lungs. This may make it more likely that you will have symptoms.
- Avoid tobacco smoke, smoke from wood-burning stoves, and fumes from kerosene heaters.
- If you have a wood-burning stove, try to use one that is airtight and does not leak smoke into your home.
Test Your Knowledge
Most of the allergens in your home are found in dust.
- This answer is Correct
Most of the allergens in your home are found in dust. Dust builds up on furniture, floors and carpeting, on beds and other soft furniture, and on clothing.
- This answer Incorrect
Most of the allergens in your home are found in dust. Dust builds up on furniture, floors and carpeting, on beds and other soft furniture, and on clothing.
You should pay special attention to controlling allergens in:
- This answer is Correct
Because you generally spend so much time in your bedroom, you should take special care in controlling allergens in this room.
- This answer Incorrect
Although controlling mold in the bathroom is important, you should pay more attention to controlling allergens in your bedroom. Most people spend a lot of time in the bedroom.
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Allergies: Avoiding indoor triggers
Last Updated:
August 8, 2007- Author:
- Debby Golonka, MPH
- Medical Review:
- Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Harold S. Nelson, MD - Allergy and Immunology
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