Allergy Relief Tip #1
To kill dust mites, bedding should be washed in temperatures hotter than 140 degrees. However, most washing machines do not get this hot for safety reasons. Using a special laundry additive that kills dust mites in any temperature can help relieve dust mite allergies.

Allergy Relief Tip #2
Dust mites thrive on high humidity, between 75% – 80%. Dust mites will always love areas like bedding where there is body heat and moisture, but keeping indoor humidity low can help reduce their survival elsewhere. Dust mites cannot live with humidity below 50%.

Allergy Relief Tip #3
Did you know that, depending on its age, your mattress may contain between one and ten million dust mites? A female dust mite lays around 60 eggs, and each mite lives around 80 days. During those 80 days, it produces around 1,000 allergy-causing waste particles.

Allergy Relief Tip #4
What is animal dander? Not pet hair, but the loose skin flakes that animals shed. Animal dander is the main cause of pet allergy symptoms. There is no relationship between how long your pet’s hair is and how much dander it sheds. But, long pet hair can trap other allergy causing particles like pollen and dust.

Allergy Relief Tip #5
It is estimated that 75% of all pollen allergies are caused by ragweed. And about 35 million Americans suffer from pollen allergies – or 1 in 7. So if you start sneezing, itching, and sniffling during ragweed season, you’re not alone.

Allergy Relief Tip #6
If you’re allergic to pollen, don’t forget about your pet during allergy season. Indoor/outdoor pets can trap lots of pollen in their hair, bringing it into the house. A frequent bath for your pet during allergy season may reduce indoor allergens and help you feel better.

Allergy Relief Tip #7
Don’t be fooled by marketer’s claims. An ionizing air cleaner or an ozone generator may seem like an effective solution for indoor air quality, but these devices are ineffective at best and dangerous at worst. Both have been criticized by the EPA. You can find more information on the EPA’s website.

Allergy Relief Tip #8
Down allergies don’t mean you have to give up your favorite comforter. Encasing the comforter in an allergy-proof dust mite encasing will protect you from both down and dust mite allergens. Cuddly down with no allergy symptoms – the best of both worlds.

Allergy Relief Tip #9
Confused about the terms “anti-allergen” and “hypoallergenic”? “Anti-allergen” means a product stops, controls, or removes allergens, for example a dust mite encasing. “Hypoallergenic” describes products that contain no allergens, or other irritating substances; for example organic cotton or synthetic down.

Allergy Relief Tip #10
Asthma and allergies are partly hereditary. If one parent has a history of allergies, then there’s a 25% chance that their child will have allergies too. If both parents have allergies, than the chance increases to 50%.

Allergy Relief Tip #11
Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction. The reaction occurs rapidly and often dramatically, usually unanticipated. Symptoms like faintness, difficulty breathing, and throat closing can occur within 15 minutes to 1 hour after exposure to the offending allergen. Anaphylaxis is an urgent medical emergency, requiring immediate care.

Allergy Relief Tip #12
If you are taking medications for allergies, please remember to use them carefully. Antihistamines often cause drowsiness and should not be taken if driving or operating machinery.

Allergy Relief Tip #13
Do you dread doing yard work and chores around the house because of allergy flare ups? Mowing the lawn during ragweed season or cleaning a dusty attic don’t have to be miserable. Wearing a face mask while doing these chores can make them a little more pleasant.

Allergy Relief Tip #14
If you have a pollen allergy, try to avoid going outside in the early morning between 5 and 10 a.m. – this is when the pollen counts are highest. Safest times to go outside are late afternoon or immediately after rain.

Allergy Relief Tip #15
Mold allergies can be a cause of allergy symptoms, or exacerbate other allergic reactions. Thoroughly clean any areas where mold might collect – drain pans, old shower curtains, damp basements, air conditioners, etc.

Allergy Relief Tip #16
Dust regularly to cut down on allergy symptoms. If you have severe dust allergies, wear a mask. Use electrostatically charged dusting cloths which trap dust instead of simply spreading it around.

Allergy Relief Tip #17
There are lots of places to check your daily pollen count. Pollen levels vary from day to day — you should monitor pollen counts like you do the weather. A high pollen count might mean it’s best to stay inside.

Allergy Relief Tip #18
If you’re allergic to your pet, it’s important to keep it out of your bedroom. If this is not possible, try putting a plastic covering over your bed during the day time, to protect your bedding from coming in contact with pet allergens.

Allergy Relief Tip #19
Up to 50% of all household dust can be found on shelves, so try to keep indoor shelves to a minimum. Eliminating shelves can help reduce the over all surface area and make your clean up job easier.

Allergy Relief Tip #20
Keep indoor house plants to a minimum. Dust can collect on houseplants, and mold can grow in houseplants as well. Both are allergy triggers.

Allergy Relief Tip #21
If you have a pet allergy, frequent grooming of your pet can help reduce your symptoms. But don’t let pet hairbrushes sit around unwashed after use. Pet dander and saliva dust will become airborne as they dry, causing allergy symptoms. And it’s best to let a non-allergy sufferer do the pet grooming.

Allergy Relief Tip #22
If your child has allergies, don’t let them take a non-washable stuffed animal to bed. These are breeding grounds for dust mites. Substitute a washable stuffed animal or cotton blanket. But if there’s a favorite stuffed animal you just can’t give up, try putting it in a Ziploc bag and placing it in the freezer for 24 hours to kill the dust mites.

Allergy Relief Tip #23
Turn off attic fans during pollen season, as these can irritate allergy symptoms by dragging more pollens into the house. Run air conditioning instead, at least during the highest pollen count days.

Allergy Relief Tip #24
Alcohol can stimulate mucus production and dilate blood vessels, worsening runny nose and nasal congestion. If you’re suffering from nasal allergies, think twice before ordering a drink, as it may make your symptoms worse.

Allergy Relief Tip #25
If you’re allergic to dust, cut down on knick-knacks and collectibles, like stuffed animals, dried flowers, figurines, and decorations. All these items collect dust, creating many surface areas that are difficult to clean.

Allergy Relief Tip #26
For kids with allergies, avoid using humidifiers in their bedroom. High humidity levels encourage the development of dust mites, a major cause of allergy symptoms.

Allergy Relief Tip #27
Placing filters over heating and cooling vents is an easy and affordable solution for cutting down on allergens. Web vent filters will reduce large airborne particles like hair, dirt, and lint, and are easy to install and replace. Of course, they’re not a substitute for operating a HEPA air purifier, but they can help.

Allergy Relief Tip #28
Did you know that cockroaches cause allergies as well? Around 10 million people in the US are allergic to cockroaches. It is not the roach itself, but the waste products it produces, which cause allergic reactions. Symptoms include chronic stuffy nose, sinus infections, repeat ear infections, and skin rash.

Allergy Relief Tip #29
Air duct cleaning is often advertised as a method of improving indoor air quality. Investigate carefully before deciding to have your ducts cleaned. More detailed information can be found from the EPA.

Allergy Relief Tip #30
Cat dander is a light and very sticky allergen, sometimes remaining in an environment for months after the cat has been removed. If you are experiencing allergies in a new house, or in a home that a kitty has visited, be aware that the allergens may remain even after the pet has been removed.

Allergy Relief Tip #31
New carpet can be a source of chemical emissions and irritants. While we recommend that you install hard floors in your home to cut down on allergens, if you do choose carpet, choose carefully. Look for a carpet with less off-gassing, and make sure that it is aired out properly before being installed.

Allergy Relief Tip #32
Many people experience an allergic reaction to down, in items like down pillows or comforters. In fact, it is not the down itself which causes the allergic reaction, but dust, dirt, and allergy-causing particles which remain in the down. Thoroughly cleaning the down can reduce this allergic reaction, which is why some down is hypoallergenic.

Allergy Relief Tip #33
If you’re allergic to dust mites, remember that dust mites don’t just live in bedding – they also live in places like carpeting and upholstered furniture. Cutting down on indoor carpeting and upholstery can help with allergy symptoms. Or, if that’s impractical, try regularly sprinkling a dust mite killing powder on these surfaces.