After months of red eyes, congestion and sinus issues you might go to the doctor for formalized allergy testing. If you are lucky the results will be easy to understand with a specific animal or plant to blame for your constant suffering. Unfortunately, if your allergy test comes back positive for dust mites, battling through allergies will become a way of life.
Tiny bugs found in common house dirt, dust mites are not a testament to your cleaning skills. These little critters are too small to see and live off the skin cells you naturally shed throughout the day. In most homes, dust mites inhabit bedding and furniture, making getting rid of the creatures next to impossible. Dust mite allergies typically present themselves as hay fever, with sneezing and a runny nose. For allergy sufferers who are also asthmatic, dust mites can become a huge problem resulting in wheezing or chest pain.
If dust mite allergies are a part of your life there are ways to manage the constant onslaught of allergy symptoms without living on a gauntlet of antihistamines and decongestants.
Medical treatments that include allergy shots or under the tongue immunotherapy can help build up your tolerance to the allergen. Unfortunately, most treatments are extremely expensive and can become cost prohibitive. If a longterm treatment is out of the question the next best solution is establishing a home that is less welcoming for dust mites to live.
If you sleep an average of eight hours per night you spend nearly 1/3 of the year in your bedroom. Since dust mites feed on the skin that is naturally shed while sleeping, your mattress is likely the root of many allergy problems. Starting in the bedroom is the perfect way to create an allergy-safe space where you can rest more soundly and wake up feeling healthy. High quality hypoallergenic bedding is a perfect first step to creating a haven of solitude and rest.
Choose Allergy Friendly Bedding
A good mattress protector is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your health. Protecting your expensive mattress from dust and stains, a mattress protector is the top layer of dust mite enforcement. The hypoallergenic and antibacterial Bedsure mattress protector is a perfect solution to allergy woes. Made from microfiber fabric the material is soft and breathable while also wrinkle resistant. Deep pockets allow the protector to securely affix to your mattress and makes for easy removal when it’s time for a wash.
Once your mattress is taken care of, topping the bed with a machine washable comforter and sheet set will help prevent continued exposure to allergens. Bedding must be washed in hot water to kill off dust mites and comforters that require dry cleaning will make that process more difficult. Sheets should be washed weekly since this the fabric closest to your body while sleeping. BedSure’s Bamboo Bed Sheets are the perfect solution for regular washing. Bamboo is naturally hypoallergenic and the breathable material helps regulate body temperature as you sleep.
Every bed needs a good pillow and the down alternative is the ideal machine washable choice. Filled with soft down alternative plush, the texture of the fill holds up to regular washings. Top everything off with a soft sherpa fleece blanket and you’ll be set for even the chilliest winter nights. Double-sided, the plush microfiber throw from Bedsure is the perfect wrap up to your allergy-free sleep space.
SHOP:
Sherpa Blanket | Mattress Protector | Down Alternative Pillow | Bamboo Sheets
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BedSure Designs | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest
Clean the Air
As you sleep, cleaning the air with an air purifier can help with removing any allergens that came into the room throughout the day. A HEPA air purifier captures airborne particles that can cause allergy flare ups throughout the day and forces the air through a fine mesh filter that will capture pollen, pet dander and dust mites.
Honeywell’s HEPA Air Purifier for large rooms is a top air purifier recommended by doctors for allergy sufferers. Built for rooms up to 325 square feet, the air purifier captures up to 99.97% of microscopic allergens while circulating air up to 5 times per hour.
There are four levels of cleaning, including a turbo cleaning perfect for firing up while vacuuming to changing bedding and an auto sensing option that will automatically adjust the level of cleaning based on the current air quality in the room.
SHOP:
Honeywell Bluetooth Smart HEPA Air Purifier
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Honeywell | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter
Vacuum Frequently
The final level of defense against allergies is your floor. Dust mites dig into the carpet pads and can create micro universes right under your feet. While the best solution for allergy sufferers is to eliminate the amount of carpet in your home, swapping over to hardwood floors may not be an option for everyone. Diligent and regular vacuuming can solve many allergy problems, but requires that the vacuuming be handled by someone in the home who does not have the same allergy.
The next best solution for ensuring regular cleaning that does not rely on an allergy sufferer doing the actual vacuuming is investing in a high quality robotic vacuum. The Roomba i7 Plus from iRobot is a godsend for combating allergies thanks to its AeroForce Cleaning System. With the ability to lift and suction dirt with up to ten times more power, dust mites never even stand a chance.
You can even use your Alexa to kick off cleaning as you walk out the door or control the device from your phone. This means your entire home will be cleaned all while you are away from the house.
The iAdapt 3.0 Navigation system allows the robot to learn the layout of your home and efficiently clean while you are away. Inside the iRobot HOME App select which rooms you’d like cleaned or even schedule daily cleanings of specific areas like your bedroom!
A high-efficiency filter captures up to 99% of dust mites and allergens, helping keep the entire floor allergy free. When cleaning is done, the Roomba heads back to its docking situation where it automatically unloads the bin into the enclosed disposal bag. This means that you don’t even have to empty the bin and be exposed to extra allergens when finishing up the cleaning!
SHOP:
Roomba i7 Plus
EXPLORE AND CONNECT:
iRobot | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter
No matter what you find you you are allergic to, clean air, allergy friendly bedding and well maintained carpeting is the key to keeping your allergies under control. Maintaining and managing your allergies can have a huge impact on your overall happiness and health.
WANT TO READ MORE?
Check out this article about natural remedies for seasonal allergies.
Photo Credit: Rocky Mountain Bliss
