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The Common Allergens That Affect Your Sleep
It is estimated that, in the U.S., the quantity of people with allergies is rising, and as many as 30% of adults and 40% of children are affected. You may be one of them, the allergic reactions, like allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, itching, sneezing, etc., will keep you from getting a good night's sleep and make you feel frustrated. In this case, we try to summarize some common allergens and tips to help you avoid them.
The allergy irritants, including pet dander, cockroach, and dust mites, pollen, mold, etc., can be a frequent occurrence around you. When you touch one of them, it can cause you to react badly or feel sick. For more details, just keep reading.
Pet Dander
Pet allergy is one of the most common allergies in the United States. Dander carried in pets' skin, saliva, and hair is the allergen. Both your eyes or nose coming in contact with the dander, and your skin being scratched or licked by your pet can cause allergic reactions. Signs of pet allergy typically include swollen, blue-colored skin, nasal congestion, and itchy, red, or watery eyes, etc. Seriously, some people may also experience asthma symptoms, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing. Alternatively, if the reaction is mild, some people may not develop symptoms until several days after exposure to certain animals. So if you are allergic to certain pets, the best strategy is to avoid or reduce contact with them whenever possible.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches, as one of the common household pests, have proteins in their body, saliva, and waste that can cause flu-like symptoms in some people (even the dead cockroaches). It may be one of the most common allergens year-round, but strict hygiene practices can help you avoid exposure to cockroaches. For example:
Clean the house regularly to avoid food crumbs on counters, tables, stovetop, floor, etc.;
Storing food in sealed containers;
Keeping the house dry (cockroaches like damp places);
Use cockroach bait and traps if necessary, but don't use the spray as it may become another allergen.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are one of the most common household allergens. These tiny creatures, which require the aid of a microscope to be detected, feed on organic matter such as skin cells and are suited to warm, humid environments. Therefore, items such as mattresses, pillows, and rugs, and blankets tend to generate skin cells, providing the ideal environment for dust mites to grow. In addition, dusty areas are much likely to cause dust mite allergies, which implies that they can occur at any time of the year. So avoiding dust mite allergies starts with cleaning or replacing dusty bedroom furniture and accessories. It's worth noting that heavy curtains, carpets, sofas, and plush upholstered furniture, feather pillows, and synthetic alternatives all easily contribute to the dust load, while laminate or hardwood floors, blinds, or non-upholstered furniture are your better alternatives.
Pollen
Another common allergy is hay fever, which is caused by a reaction to pollen from plants (trees, grasses, or weeds). Pollen allergies tend to be seasonal, as it is only during the spring, summer, and fall of each year that plants release tiny pollen grains for reproduction. So those with pollen allergies will experience more severe reactions and hard to fall asleep when the flowering plants bloom. When the weather is warm and dry, pollen spreads more easily and its symptoms will get worse. So try to avoid going outside on days when pollen levels are high. Also, since pollen almost always comes from outside the house, keep windows and doors closed to reduce the amount of pollen indoors or in your car.
Mold
If you have an allergy to the spores of molds or other fungi. The best way to avoid indoor allergies is to reduce the humidity in your house. Mold grows in a moist environment. So, after showering or bathing, keep the bathroom well ventilated. Open the windows and doors or run a dehumidifier will be helpful. Note, however, that if you leave the dehumidifier on, you should keep the windows closed. Plus, cleaning mold as soon as it appears is vital to prevent allergies. Always check for mold around faucets, sinks, shower curtains, refrigerator trays, utensil racks, washing machines, refrigerators, etc. Finally, poorly dried clothes and towels may also grow mold, so it is necessary for you to turn to the dryer during the wet/rainy season.
Finally, people who prone to allergies are better off buying bedding that has hypoallergenic properties, such as shredded memory foam pillows, down alternative pillow, OEKO-TEX certified mattress protectors, and hypoallergenic mattresses. They help to keep allergens out, ensuring you a safe and healthy sleep environment. Plus, if you have any other ideas to share with us, Novilla Facebook group is waiting for you to join.
This article is for informational purposes and should not be a substitute for medical advice from your doctor or other professionals.
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