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Tips for house dust and pet hair allergies

Do you or one of your household members suffer from the symptoms of an animal hair allergy or a dust mite allergy? Then take appropriate countermeasures now that can make life a little easier for you and your loved ones! By avoiding certain materials or adhering to certain behaviors, you can remove the breeding ground for some of the allergens and regain at least a small part of quality of life.

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Materials

  • Use cloths made of microfiber, antistatic dusters or generally damp cloths for dusting. This way, the dust stays in the cloth and is not whirled up to settle again elsewhere.
  • If necessary, upgrade to a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air). This ensures that the finest dust particles are not released back into the ambient air, but remain in the vacuum cleaner.
  • In many cases, the purchase of an air filter or a humidifier is worthwhile. Both provide a reduction of house dust. While air filters filter tiny particles from the air with the help of HEPA technology or activated carbon filters, humidifiers humidify the dust in the air you breathe, which causes the particles to sink to the ground faster. If you can not decide: there are also combination products.
  • Use mattresses made of latex or foam instead of those made of natural materials, as they have a significantly reduced risk of mite infestation. It is best to change their mattress every 8-10 years.
  • Do not use inlets, pillows or blankets made of animal materials, such as down filling or camel hair blankets.
  • If possible: avoid carpets and instead use "smooth" floor coverings, such as tiles, laminate or plank flooring. These are wipeable, so that larger mite accumulations with regular, damp wiping through can not even form.

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Behaviors

  • Multiple shock ventilation of the rooms during the day.
  • Regular washing of bed linen (around 60 ° C), in case of severe allergy once a week.
  • Vacuum all floors at short intervals and wipe them damp afterwards. Dry sweeping should be better avoided, since this leads just as with dry mopping to dust turbulence and the allergy symptoms rather aggravated than improved.
  • If you do not want to do without curtains completely: Shake out the curtains every few weeks outside and wash them carefully afterwards.
  • Wash the children's cuddly toys regularly at least 60 ° C or put them in the freezer for about 24 hours to wash them afterwards at low temperatures.
  • Do not let pets in the bedroom.
  • Bath your pet about once a week. This washes allergen residues out of the pet's fur
  • Consider whether wearing a respirator would be useful for certain activities, such as cleaning or dusting.
  • Refrain from smoking if possible. Cigarette smoke irritates the mucous membranes and increases the attack surface for allergens.