Do you have a cold that you can’t seem to shake? Do you have itchy eyes, a runny nose, and sneeze even though you don’t feel ill? Do you have any rashes or swelling? If so, there is a chance you could be suffering from an allergy in your home.
What are dust mites?
It has been reported that dust mites are to blame for at least 12 million Britons suffering from allergic reactions.
It’s estimated that the average bed has around 10,000 dust mites living in it. Dust mites are incredibly common, and can be found all over the home. They get their name because they feed on dust, which is made up largely of flakes of human skin that has been shed from the body
Top tips to reduce allergens in the house
- Bedrooms are a haven for dust mites. Removing your carpets and laminating your floors will help to keep your bedroom less dusty.
- Bed throws, blankets, cushions, and stuffed toys are a dust mite’s paradise. Reducing these will help minimize dead skin, and thus allergens. Try not to keep stuffed toys on your/your child’s bed, and wash them frequently in hot water.
- Washing your curtains, duvets and pillows often will also help to ensure your room stays clean. Try using anti-allergen bedding, which you can browse here.
- Vacuuming, or using steam cleaners on your upholstered furnishings often and washing them frequently at 60°C, will also help. Click here to view our range of steam cleaners.
Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite
If you find lots of little red spots on your skin, you may have bed bugs.
Bed bugs are parasitic bugs that are visible to the naked eye. They are different to dust mites (though often confused), but they can be avoided in the same way as dust mites.
What about pets?
Remember, your pets can also suffer from allergies and be the cause of them. Wash both your pets and their toys frequently in warm water. Rather than letting them sleep on your bed, giving them their own bed with an anti-allergy cover will help reduce allergens. Lastly – try to keep them off the furniture! As this is usually easier said than done, or because a lot of us enjoy having our furry friend cuddled next to us on the sofa, try adding anti-allergy throws to your furniture. Wash these regularly to keep them clean and minimise allergens. The Waffle Flannel Fleece Throw from Silentnight is a cosy anti-allergy throw that looks great in any room.
If your allergy symptoms are affecting your life or last longer than three months, it might be a good idea to check in with your doctor.
