Avoiding Dust mite allergies in the home

1. Encase the Pillows in zippered, allergen-impermeable covers, or wash pillows in hot water every two weeks. Pillow Covers which permit perspiration vapor transmission will be most comfortable.PILLOWS SHOULD BE ENCASED IN ZIPPERED ALLERGEN-PROOF ENCASINGS. A dust mite sensitive allergy patient buries his or her face in the pillow, breathes in the fecal pellets and suffers the allergic reaction. ALLERGEN-PROOF ENCASINGS SEPARATE THE ALLERGY SUFFERER FROM THE DUST AND MITE FECAL PELLETS. USE POLYESTER FILLED PILLOWS. Avoid Pillows with Down Features, Kapok, or Foam.

2 . Encase the Mattress, and Box Springs in zippered allergen-impermeable encasings. If there is more than one bed in the room, all beds should be encased. Mattress Covers which permit perspiration vapor transmission will be most comfortable. MATTRESS, BOX SPRINGS, AND PILLOWS SHOULD BE ENCASED IN WASHABLE, FULLY ZIPPERED ALLERGEN-PROOF ENCASINGS. If there is more than one bed in the room, then all beds should be encased. Allergen-Proof Encasings provide dust-proof, mite-proof, and allergen-proof protection. Place a 4 corner elastic mattress pad protector (polyester filled) over the Allergen-Proof Encasing. This will keep the encasing cleaner with children.

3.Wash all bedding - blankets, sheets, pillowcases and mattress pad if used - in hot water (130 degrees) every two weeks. Avoid wool and down blankets. Comforters can be Replaced with Washable Blankets.Use washable Blankets: ACRYLIC OR COTTON THERMAL BLANKETS. Avoid Wool, and Down Feather Comforters. A SIMPLE COTTON/POLYSTER RIBCORD BEDSPREAD IS RECOMMENDED.

4. Remove all carpeting. If this is not possible, apply a solution to inactivate allergen and/or a miticide to kill dust mites.
BARE WOOD OR TILE FLOORS ARE SUGGESTED.

5.Cover hot air vents with filters to clean the air at point-of-entry, or close the vents and use an electric radiator.

6. Avoid heavy curtains and blinds. Use window shades instead. If curtains are used, launder them frequently. INSTALL ROLL-UP, WASHABLE VINYL-COATED WINDOW SHADES. If washable curtains are used, launder them often. ELIMINATE DRAPES AND MINI-BLINDS BECAUSE THEY ARE DUST-CATCHERS.

7. Use wipeable furniture (wood, plastic, vinyl, or leather) in place of upholstered furniture.PLAIN, SIMPLE BEDROOM FURNITURE IS RECOMMENDED. SIMPLE WOOD OR PLASTIC CHAIRS ARE SUGGESTED, RATHER THAN UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE. Avoid toys or stuffed animals. Toys should be wood, plastic or metal -- never fabric.

8. H.E.P.A. AIR CLEANERS DO PROVIDE RELIEF FOR ASTHMA SUFFERERS AT NIGHT. Bedroom HEPA Air Cleaners provide Hospital Clean Air free of Dust, Pollen, Mold Spores, Smoke and Bacteria. Air cleaners should not be placed on the floor. Place them on a 3 foot or higher table.(Where they cannot disturb settled dust from carpets and nearby furnishings.)

9. Use the central heating & air conditioning system to prevent the high heat and humidity which stimulate mite growth. Electrostatic Air Filters IN THE CENTRAL AIR HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM stops Dust, Pollen, and Mold Spores from blowing out of the vents. Use a dehumidifier to help reduce humidity levels.

10. Avoid dust collectors, such as wall pennants, macramé hangings and throw pillows. Remove or machine wash stuffed animals.

11. Wear a well-fitting face mask when doing housecleaning and other chores (Dust & Pollen Face Masks are available at your local hardware store). Clean drawers, closets and surfaces with a silicone treated dust cloth.

12.Avoid over-humidification if using a humidifier in the winter. Mites grow best at 75-80% relative humidity and cannot live at under 50% humidity. The ideal relative humidity is 40-50%. Use a humidity gauge to monitor levels.

13. Keep all clothing in a closet, with the door shut. Wool clothing within closets should be kept in heavy plastic garment bags. Avoid moth balls and cedar wood.

14. For regular vacuum cleaners Using a 2-Ply vacuum bag is 10 times more effective than a single ply paper bag and will help reduce exhaust dust from escaping from your vacuum cleaner.

Avoiding Mold Allergies in the home

Throughout the house

• Keep humidity low. 35% if possible, but in no case over 50%. Use a gauge to monitor relative humidity.

• Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier in times of high humidity, with the windows closed. Dehumidifiers must be emptied of water regularly, or connected to a constant drain. Air conditioners should be sprayed at the air intake with a mold killing spray if they develop a musty odor. Special air conditioner filters can be added to help trap the airborne allergens, and room air cleaners can help clear the air of mold spores.

• Very tightly insulated houses prevent the escape of moisture and thus encourage mold growth. Allow adequate ventilation.

• If using a humidifier in the winter, avoid over humidification. If mold is present, rinse the interior of the unit with a diluted bleach solution. Some humidifiers prevent mold growth by a special heating process. Central humidifiers should be checked and cleaned frequently.

• Clean walls and ceilings and add mold inhibiter to paint before applying.

• Window condensation can lead to moisture and mold growth on the window frame.

• Although indoor plants are not a major source of indoor mold spores, it is prudent to limit the number of houseplants.

• Mold is present on the bark of wood. If using a fireplace or woodburning stove, do not store firewood inside. Avoid live Christmas trees.

In the Bedroom

• Follow steps to decrease dust exposure. Ideally, carpeting should be removed and mattresses encased in allergen-impermeable zippered covers.

• Avoid foam rubber pillows and mattresses, since they are particularly likely to become moldy.

• A dehumidifier or air-conditioner can help reduce humidity.

• Mold grows in closets, which are damp and dark. Dry shoes and boots thoroughly before storing. Use a chemical moisture remover in closets and storage spaces to help prevent mold growth.

• Good quality HEPA air cleaners can remove mold spores from the air.

• Convection heat units can make mold spores nonviable and help reduce the spread of mildew.

In the Bathroom

• Use an exhaust fan or open window to remove humidity after showering. Use a squeegee to remove excess water from shower stall, tub and tiles.

• Wash shower curtain, bathroom tiles, shower stall, tub, toilet tank and tiles with mold-killing and mold-preventing solutions.

• Do not carpet the bathroom.

In the Kitchen

• Use an exhaust fan to remove water vapor when cooking.

• Mold can grow in refrigerators, particularly around door gaskets. Empty water pans below self-defrosting refrigerators frequently. Remove spoiling foods immediately.

• Molds grow in garbage containers, which should be emptied frequently and kept clean.

• Vent the clothes dryer to the outdoors. Dry clothing immediately after washing.

• Carpet and pad should not be laid on a concrete floor. Vinyl flooring is a better choice.

• Correct seepage for flooding problems and remove any previously flooded carpet. If a dirt floor is present, cover with a plastic vapor barrier.

• Keep the basement free of dust, and remove moldy stored items.

• Add a paint mold inhibiter to paint, especially on brick or cinderblock walls.

• Allergic individuals should not have their bedroom on the basement level.

• Avoid cutting grass and raking leaves, or use a well fitting face mask if these chores must be done by the allergic individual. Avoid exposure to soil, compost piles, sandboxes, hay, fertilizers and barns. Prune or cut trees to avoid shading of the home. Eliminate vines.

• Correct drainage problems near the house, as pooled water greatly increase mold formation.

• Avoid camping or walking in the woods, where mold growth on rotted logs and other vegetation is high. Some mold spores are spread on dry and windy days, others at times of rainfall.

Work and Misc. Environments

• Greenhouses, antique shops, saunas, sleeping bags, summer cottages and hotel rooms are sources of increased mold exposure. Automobile air conditioners may harbor mold.

• Occupational exposure to mold occurs in farmers, gardeners, bakers, brewers, florists, carpenters, mill workers, upholsterers and paper hangers. Your allergist can offer specific recommendations.