Learning to fight allergies the right way
Start with a good, stiff spring cleaning

A proper spring cleaning of your home can help reduce seasonal allergy symptoms, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

"Allergy and asthma control begins at home for more than 50 million Americans who have allergies, and the 20 million who have asthma," said Mike Tringale, director of marketing and communications for AAFA. "When allergy sufferers clean properly, they can manage their indoor air quality, and lessen the nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, headaches and severe, flu-like symptoms they often experience."

Indeed, according to a recent study conducted by AAFA, 67 percent of allergy sufferers clean their homes and work environments in the spring to help prevent allergy symptoms. As such, the organization wants to make sure these allergy sufferers are cleaning effectively and is providing some tips on how to clean appropriately.

AAFA is stressing the importance of using effective cleaning methods to address the most common indoor allergy triggers: dust mites, pet dander and common household mold. For example, simply sweeping the home actually could make allergies worse because it may stir up pet hair and dust mites.

To manage dust mites and pet dander, AAFA recommends:

+Maintaining the humidity in your home below 50 percent.

+Vacuuming regularly with a double-bag or Hepa vacuum cleaner.

+Keeping pets off the furniture.

+Bathing a cat or dog on a weekly basis.

+Encasing mattresses and pillows in airtight, allergen-proof covers.

+Washing bed linens in 130 degree hot water once a week.

Some indoor allergy triggers, like common household mold, often are overlooked and ineffectively addressed.

"People are often surprised to find out that their allergies can be triggered by common household mold," said Dr. Jay Portnoy, chief of the Section of Allergy Asthma and Immunology at Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinics in Kansas City, Mo. "I recommend that people who have mold allergy take simple actions to avoid exposure and reduce growth by managing moisture and cleaning regularly and properly."

To manage common household mold, AAFA recommends:

+Running the air conditioner during humid months.

+Fixing leaky pipes to limit moisture in the home.

+Using exhaust fans to increase kitchen and bathroom ventilation.

+Cleaning and killing mold spores on hard, non-porous surfaces with an EPA-registered cleaning solution containing low concentrations of bleach.

+Removing moldy, soft surfaces immediately.

While soap and water may remove a mold stain from hard, nonporous surfaces, highly allergenic fragments still can remain, quickly reproduce and potentially trigger allergies.

Because of the potential sensitivities of allergy and asthma sufferers to cleaning products, cleaning should be done by non-sensitive individuals and the area should be allowed to ventilate before reentry. Always read and follow all precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products.

To learn more about mold allergies and other indoor/outdoor allergy triggers, visit the AAFA's website at www.aafa.org.

This story provided by StatePoint Media.