Asthma has increased at an alarming rate over the last decade. There are two types of asthma, allergic and nonallergic. The allergic variety is the fastest growing form of asthma. The most common triggers for the allergic variety of asthma are dust mites, pollen, mold, and pet dander. The good news is that there are many effective asthma home remedies that can help.
One of the biggest triggers is pet dander. If you do have a pet try to avoid petting it since that can stir up the dander in the air. That doesn’t mean that you have to get rid of your pet. There are some simple steps you can take so that you and your pet can cohabitate peacefully. For one thing, don’t allow your dog or cat into your bedroom since you don’t want dander where you sleep and spend so much of your time. Also, avoid confined spaces with your pet such as in a car. Giving your pet frequent baths can help reduce the allergens, just don’t use soap every week since that can dry your pet’s skin.
Dust mite feces and dead bodies are not only gross, but they can contribute to allergic asthma. While you won’t be able to completely rid your home of these pests, you can decrease the number of them by following some simple steps.
1. Use a mattress cover and make sure it’s airtight, put a washable mattress pad on top of that and wash it often, about twice a month.
2. Use hot water when you wash your sheets, and wash them at least weekly.
3. Try to have more bare floors than carpeting. If you do have a lot of carpets, make sure you steam clean them often.
4. When doing regular housecleaning wear a mask, so you don’t inhale so much dust. And don’t use a dust mop or broom as these will only stir up more dust.
5. The use of a home air purifier can help a lot even if you only use it in your bedroom.
To minimize mold simply keep your windows closed since mold spores can come in through a screen. Try to avoid damp places such as basements and cellars. Check out your bathroom for signs of mold. Mold likes damp, dark spaces so look under the sink and behind the shower head, make sure to wear a mask, so you don’t inhale the spores while you search. Have someone check out your air conditioning unit, humidifiers, and vaporizers for signs of mold. And last, but not least, your houseplants can also have mold on them, check them out frequently for any signs of mold.
If you suffer from allergic asthma, there are a lot of simple things you can do to protect yourself from the things that can trigger an attack. Put these easy asthma home remedies to work in your home today, and you can see an immediate, and positive, impact on the number of asthma-related symptoms you have to deal with.
