Environmental control measures for allergens and irritants

Indoor Controls
To control dust mites:

• Use only polyester-fill pillows and comforters (never feather or down). Encase pillows and mattresses in mite-proof covers (available at allergy-supply stores). Keep covers clean by vacuuming or wiping them down once a week.
• Wash sheets and blankets a child sleeps on once a week in very hot water (130 degrees F or higher) to kill dust mites.
• Avoid upholstered furniture, window mini-blinds, and carpeting in a child's bedroom and playroom. They can collect dust and harbor dust mites (especially carpets).
• Use washable throw rugs on vinyl or hardwood floors, and wash rugs in hot water weekly.
• Use washable curtains and vinyl window shades that can be wiped down. Wash curtains in hot water weekly.
• Dust and vacuum weekly. If possible, use a vacuum specially designed to collect and trap dust mites.
• Reduce the number of dust-collecting houseplants, books, knickknacks, and non-washable stuffed animals in your home.
• Avoid humidifiers when possible because moist air promotes dust mite infestation.

To control pollens and molds:

• Avoid humidifiers, because humidity promotes mold growth. If you must use a humidifier, keep it very clean to prevent mold from growing in the machine.
• Ventilate bathrooms, basements, and other dark, moist places that commonly grow mold. Consider keeping a light on in closets and using a dehumidifier in basements to remove air moisture.
• Use air conditioning: it removes excess air moisture, filters out pollens from the outside, and provides air circulation throughout your home. Filters should be changed once a month.
• Avoid wallpaper and carpets in bathrooms, as mold can grow under them.
• Use bleach to kill mold in bathrooms.
• Keep windows and doors shut during pollen season

To control irritants:

• DO NOT SMOKE  (or allow others to smoke) at home - even when a child is not present.
• Do not burn wood fires in fireplaces or wood stoves.
• Avoid strong odors from paint, perfume, hair spray, disinfectants, chemical cleaners, air fresheners, and glues.

To control animal dander:

• If a child is allergic to a pet, talk seriously with the doctor about the need to find a new home for the animal.
• It may (but not always) help to wash the animal at least once a week to remove excess dander and collected pollens.
• Never allow the pet into the allergic child's bedroom. Consider keeping the pet outside at all times.
• If you don't already own a pet and a child has asthma, don't acquire one. Even if a child isn't allergic to the animal now, he can become allergic with continued exposure.

Outdoor Controls

• When mold or pollen counts are high, your doctor may want you to premedicate. After playing outdoors, the child should bathe and change clothes.
• Drive with the car windows shut and air conditioning on during mold and pollen seasons.
• Don't let a child mow the grass or rake leaves.