AIRBORNE ALLERGIES

Dust and Dust Mites
Dust and dust mites are common allergens for many people and can cause a variety of respiratory symptoms.

Dust reactions can be exacerbated by dust thrown into the air after cleaning with a vacuum cleaner, broom, or duster.

Dust mites often live in carpets, pillows, bedding, drapes and furniture. Every time you vacuum, someone walks on a carpet, or raises or lowers a blanket, dust mites fly into the air and land elsewhere. Dust mite reactions are often triggered by the proteins in dust mite excrement.

Mold
Mold is also a common allergen. Mold is a type of fungus. It is said that there are tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of species of fungi. Mold likes high temperature and high humidity, and it exists both indoors and outdoors. Mold spores are everywhere and will thrive if there is enough humidity. Mold will also grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks or where there has been flooding. Water vapor in kitchens and bathrooms, or humidifiers, drying laundry indoors, and lack of general ventilation can all contribute to high humidity.

Commonly found areas with Mold:

• Paper products
• Cardboard
• Ceiling tiles
• Wood products
• Dust
• Paints
• Wallpaper
• Insulation
• Drywall
• Carpet
• Fabric
• Upholstery
• Leaks (roofs, windows, pipes)

Main symptoms associated with dust, dust mites, and mold

• Chronic nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, asthma, coug
• Red, itchy, watery eyes
• Skin conditions such as eczema or hives
• Headache
• Recurring sinus infections

Dust, dust mites and mold affect people all year round regardless of the season.

Did you know

• Dust mites are an arachnid, meaning their cousins include spiders, crabs and shrimps
• A square meter of non-wool bedding or carpet can harbor up to 100,000 dust mites, not to mention millions of excrement droppings.
• About 50% of homes contain mold problems.
• The weight of the average pillow can increase by a staggering 10% after only 6 months of use because of dust mites and their excrement.
• The average duvet, pillow and mattress topper/protector can be completely colonized with dust mites in just six weeks.
• There are over 10,000 species of mold.
• Mold is more common in households today than it was 50 years ago.
• Christmas tree allergies are caused by mold put into the air by the tree.

Perfume, Fragrance

Fragrances are used in a wide variety of products and are defined as a combination of chemicals that add a scent.  Fragrance ingredients can be derived from petroleum or natural raw materials.  Not only have the number of fragranced products increased, but the fragrances themselves have gone from simple to complex. There are thousands of chemical components found in fragrance, and any of them can cause an allergic reaction. Unfortunately, it is becoming more common for people to develop sensitivities to fragrances, with more and more people reacting to them every year.

Main symptoms for perfumes and fragrances

• Chronic nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, wheezing, coughing
• Red, itchy, watery eyes
• Skin conditions such as eczema, urticaria, and contact dermatitis
• Headache or dizziness

Products containing perfumes and fragrances

• Perfume
• Cologne
• Synthetic fragrance
• Essential oils
• Body wash
• Candles
• Laundry Detergent
• Sunscreens
• Shampoo
• Body Soap
• Deodorant
• Sanitary products
• Face cream
• Cosmetics
• Lotions
• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Air freshener
• Tissue paper
• Hand sanitizer
• Cleaning detergent

Pollen

Visit our Seasonal Allergies Page (click here)