Allergies & Other Sensitivities

Symptoms

Common Allergens

One of the biggest causes of allergies are dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic insects that breed in household dust. Below are a number of ways that you can limit the amount of mites in your house.

1. Choose wood or hard vinyl floor coverings instead of a carpet.
2. Fit roller blinds that can be easily wiped clean.
3. Clean cushions, soft toys, curtains and upholstered furniture regularly, either by washing or vacuuming.
4. Use synthetic pillows and acrylic duvets instead of woollen blankets or feather bedding.
5. Use a vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter, because it can remove more dust than ordinary vacuum cleaners.
6. Wipe surfaces with a damp, clean cloth, as dry dusting can spread the allergens further.
7. Concentrate your efforts at controlling dust mites in the areas of your home where you spend the most time, such as the bedroom and living room.

It is not the pet fur that causes an allergic reaction, it is exposure to flakes of their dead skin, saliva and dried urine. If you cannot permanently remove a pet from the house, you may find the following tips useful:

1. Keep pets outside as much as possible, or limit them to one room, preferably one without carpet.
2. Do not allow pets in bedrooms.
3. Wash pets at least one a fortnight.
4. Groom dogs regularly outside.
5. Wash all bedding and soft furnishings on which a pet has lain.

If you are visiting a friend or relative with a pet, ask them not to dust or vacuum on the day you are visiting, as this will stir up the allergens into the air. Taking an antihistamine medicine one hour before entering a pet-inhabited house can help to reduce symptoms.

Moulds can grow on any decaying matter, both inside and outside the house. The moulds themselves are not allergens but the spores they release are. Spores are released when there is a sudden rise in temperature in a moist environment, such as when central heating is turned on in a damp house, or someone dries wet clothes next to a fireplace.

Some ways that you can prevent mould spores are outlined below:

1. Keep your home dry and well ventilated.
2. When showering or cooking, keep internal doors closed to prevent damp air from spreading through the house and use extractor fans.
3. Do not dry clothes indoors, store clothes in damp cupboards, or pack clothes too tightly in wardrobes.
4. Deal with any damp and condensation in your home.
 

By law, food manufacturers must clearly label any foods that contain something that is known to cause an allergy, such as celery, cereals, crustaceans, eggs, fish, milk, mustard, nuts, sesame seeds, soybeans and the preservatives sulphur dioxide and sulphites. By carefully checking the label for the list of ingredients, you should be able to avoid an allergic reaction.

Many people experience an allergic reaction while eating out at a restaurant. You can avoid this by:

1. Not relying on the menu description alone (remember, many sauces or dressings could contain allergens)
2. Communicating clearly with the waiting staff and asking for their advice
3. Avoiding places where there is a chance that different types of food could come into contact with each other, such as buffets or bakeries
4. Remember, simple dishes are less likely to contain "hidden" ingredients.

Pollen allergies, more commonly known as hay fever, are caused when plants release pollen particles into the air (pollinate). Different plants pollinate at different times of the year, so the months that you get hay fever will depend on what sort of pollen(s) you are allergic to. Typically, people are affected during spring and summer.

To avoid exposure to pollen you can:

1. Check weather reports for the pollen count and stay indoors when it is high.
2. Avoid drying clothes and bedding outside when the pollen count is high.
3. Wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen.
4. Keep doors and windows shut during mid-morning and early evening, when there is most pollen in the air.
5. Shower, wash your hair and change your clothes after being outside.
6. Avoid grassy areas, such as parks and fields.
7. Get someone else to cut the grass for you if you have a lawn.