Do you have a child who’s prone to allergies? While we can’t put him in a bubble, concerned parents can help prevent allergy episodes by cleaning out any triggers that lurk inside the home—especially his bedroom. A few simple steps can dramatically reduce his risk for allergy attacks.
Ban pets from the bedroom
Dander is one of the most common allergy triggers. So keep your child’s furry friends out of her bedroom, where dander can get into corners and stick to sheets. Tell your child to change clothes before going in for a nap, and vacuum like there’s no tomorrow.
Don’t display stuffed animals
Stuffed toys attract dust. So if your child loves to play with them, keep them in another room, and allow her just one favorite to keep in her bed (you may want to pick one that’s made of an allergy-proof material). And give Mr. Bear lots of baths—you may want to keep two of the same kind, to rotate when one is being cleaned.
Don’t use a carpet
Carpets can be a dust mite hotel! So skip the carpets and rugs and keep the floor bare. They can also lurk in comforres and even mattresses and pillows, so invest in one of those allergy-proof covers. You may also want to change the curtains: heavy fabrics do keep out the light, but they also tend to attract mites. Venetian blinds are easier to clean!
Make a ‘no eating in the room’ rule
Kids love to eat in their room, but the crumbs they leave behind attract cockroaches and other pests, who can shed skin that can trigger allergy attacks. Since many moms are afraid of using strong pesticides in the home, look for natural repellants or pesticides that are designed for use inside the home (for example, they should not emit a strong chemical smell).
Invest in a dehumidifier
Mold can trigger allergy attacks, and if you live in a very rainy area, the moisture can lead to mold build up. A dehumidifer can help prevent that.
Get more tips from moms of kids who have allergies.
Photo from guanaco.com
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