12 Ways to Prevent Allergies Before They Start

Learn how to arm yourself and your children against allergies.

1. Shut the Windows

it’s fine to leave one or two open a crack to let gases out and fresh air in. But otherwise, turn on the air conditioning to clean, cool and dry the air. High humidity encourages the growth of moulds and can attract cockroaches.

2. Stay Away from Pollen

Limit outdoor excursions when the pollen and mould counts are high. Peak pollen times usually fall between 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. Avoid long periods outdoors on windy days, too, when dust, mould and pollen are blown about. Keep allergens out of your eyes by wearing wraparound sunglasses

3. Vacation in Low-Allergen Areas

The seashore is a good choice. Although the breeze is damp, levels of allergy-causing pollen tend to be low.

4. Shower After Being Outdoors

It’s yet another way to exile outdoor allergens, which can easily collect on your skin, hair, and clothing, then be transferred to your hands, face and pillowcase.

5. Hire Someone to Do Yard Work

Yard work can expose you to high levels of pollen and mould. Have trees and bushes pruned regularly to cut down on vegetation near doors and windows. Don’t use a leaf blower. These noisy yard tools spurt mould into the air at full force.

6. Keep Indoor Plants Dry

Wet soil encourages mould growth. Top posts with small pebbles or stones to help avoid this.

7. Get Your Child a Pet

Having an animal around in childhood seems to steer an immature immune system away from overreactions to animal dander. Studies of European children show that those who live on farms are in regular contact with animals are four times less likely to have hay fever or asthma than city-dwelling kids.

8. Encase the Beds

Cover the mattress, box spring and pillows with allergen-proof covers to keep dust mites in check.

9. Choose Feathers

Research from the University of Manchester in Great Britain found that synthetic fibre and foam pillows contain more dust mites than feather-filled pillows. The densely woven covers designed to keep the feathers in also help keep

10. Dust Less Often

For your children’s sake, leaving an occasional dust bunny under the bed could be a wise move. Doctors and the National Jewish Medical and Research Centre in Denver say that a molecule called endotoxin, found in ordinary house dust, appears to protect youngsters against allergy and asthma.

11. Roll Up the Rugs

Dust mites can’t live on bare wood. If you must have carpeting, vacuum often.

12. Bag Stuffed Animals

Keep them in the freezer during the day to freeze the dust mites