Allergies caused by airborne pollutants can be caused by both outdoor and indoor allergens and are often a combination of both. Here are 5 of the most frequent airborne allergens and a variety of suggestions for dealing with them. Pet Dander--With a warm-blooded pet dander is a fact of life. Dander is inescapable with any warm-blooded pet whether it's a cat, dog, bird, ferret or other cutie. Most of us don't give it a second thought because of the love and affection our pets give in return. But if you are allergic, the air thickens for you. Consult your vet about bathing your pet to reduce dander. Consider making your bedroom off limits to all but two-legged creatures. Be sure to replace the filters on your central air and heating systems even more frequently than is suggested. Use a portable air cleaner in your bedroom to allow your body to rest in a space that is virtually free of allergens. Pollen--Many think of pollen as only a spring time trigger. But those of you who suffer from hay fever know better. Pollens are easily blown from one place to another including outside your home to inside. It is virtually impossible limit pollen to the outdoors. By keeping windows closed at home and in the car, choosing to be outside later in the day rather than early morning, and using HEPA filtration to remove any pollen that gets in through doors, on clothes, shoes, and pets will allow you to get through all the pollen seasons with fewer flare ups. Household Chemicals--Most household products have a scented option, and if you are at all sensitive to them, it can be bad news for your allergies. These scents are seemingly everywhere-in cosmetics, deodorants, bath gels, soaps, and shampoos, candles, household cleaning supplies, and dish washing detergent. One of the best ways to get rid of the smells is to get rid of products you currently have that are scented, and look for products with a more natural and organic base. Opt for the unscented version of products. Locate a local organic grocer and take advantage of the wide variety of non-allergenic products available. There are many products on the market that are just as effective but do not contain the chemicals. Then you can relax in your home where the only scent is fresh air. Smoke--Thank goodness many public places are now smoke free environments that make fresh air available to all. However, this is probably not such good news for those of you who are smokers having a hard time quitting, or for those of you who live with a smoker either in your home, or unwillingly with someone in the apartment next to yours. The next best thing to having the smoker stop smoking is to limit smoking to outdoors, and to take away any residual smoke indoors with a high efficiency particle arresting air purifier that is designed to remove smoke. Dust Mites--These incredibly prolific little critters make their home in your bed, and are renowned as an allergy and asthma trigger. Even though you can successfully reduce the mite population, nothing will eliminate all of them. But keeping the numbers down will definitely make your home a more comfortable place to be. Wash bed linens weekly in hot water that is 140 degrees Fahrenheit or greater. Use dust mite covers on your pillows and mattresses to prevent an infestation of dust mites. Let your bed air daily, as sunlight kills them.
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