{"id":1264,"date":"2021-12-07T13:45:57","date_gmt":"2021-12-07T13:45:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saniservice.com\/blog\/?p=1264"},"modified":"2021-12-13T07:38:42","modified_gmt":"2021-12-13T07:38:42","slug":"qa-dr-loubser-answers-commonly-asked-questions-about-allergy-proofing-your-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/saniservice.com\/blog\/qa-dr-loubser-answers-commonly-asked-questions-about-allergy-proofing-your-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Q&A: Dr. Loubser answers commonly asked questions about Allergy-proofing your home"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Loubser<\/a><\/p>\n

An estimated 20 to 25 percent of people have some form of respiratory allergy, and if you\u2019re one of them, it\u2019s likely you\u2019ve always got a pack of antihistamines at the ready. But did you know that there are several environmental changes that we can make in order to keep the attacks at bay? How can we protect our homes against the most common allergens?<\/span><\/p>\n

Leading allergen specialist Dr. Michael Loubser, Consultant Paediatrician, Immunologist\/ Allergist answers frequently asked questions about allergy proofing your home.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. What is a respiratory allergy?<\/b><\/h2>\n

This is the type of reaction that manifests because of a trigger in your environment. The symptoms include puffy eyes, itchiness, redness, a blocked or running nose, and itching in the mouth or ears.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Which triggers are most common in the UAE?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The weather in the UAE means it is different from more temperate climates, in that we don\u2019t have to deal with seasonal allergies. But what that does mean is most of the allergens in our environment are inside our homes.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Should I be concerned about molds in my home? How do I get rid of molds?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Due to the humid climate, we face a lot of indoor humidity which causes mould, as does the air conditioning that we use to combat the humidity. It\u2019s almost always the case that poorly installed or maintained air conditioners are the source of a mould allergy. You can also develop mould if you have a water<\/a> leak, or the damp proofing hasn\u2019t been done properly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Treatment<\/b><\/h4>\n

Ideal humidity is around 45 to 55 percent, and if your AC is not working properly the levels can get up to 85 percent. If you\u2019ve got a lot of humidity inside, I would recommend investing in a dehumidification unit, which will work to take some of the moisture out of the air. And even if your humidity levels are ok, the AC still needs to be cleaned regularly to make sure it\u2019s not full of dust and that the drip trays don\u2019t get blocked up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Can dust mite allergy cause asthma? Where do they come from?<\/b><\/h2>\n

A dust mite is a microscopic, eight-legged insect which is just 0.2 of a millimetre. They live in warm, humid environments, and when they\u2019re in your bed there will be around a quarter of a million. But don\u2019t worry it\u2019s got nothing to do with how hygienic you are, it\u2019s down to the climate we live in. Humans who are allergic to dust have adverse reactions to the bug\u2019s bodies and faeces, rather than dust itself.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Treatment<\/b><\/h4>\n

You can\u2019t vacuum them out as they\u2019re too small, so the best approach is to have a company come in to kill and remove them. A steam system is the best way to do so, before a high-pressure suction to remove the bodies. But what\u2019s critical is you\u2019ve got to get a mattress encasement put on afterwards. A high-quality dust mite cover should be breathable, not just a plastic sheet! The tightness of the weave should be so tight that dust mites\u2019 can\u2019t get through the air. Even the size of the needle that is used to stitch the zips in has to be standardised so that you don\u2019t leave great big holes that dust mite can come through.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. How do I know if I\u2019m allergic to cockroach dust?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

When we talk about someone being allergic to cockroaches, it is not the live ones we\u2019re worried about. For every one cockroach you\u2019ve ever seen, there\u2019s probably a million others that have died outside. It\u2019s the ones that have decomposed into dust that are the allergens.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Treatment<\/b><\/h4>\n

When it comes to the removal of this, you obviously want to remove as much dust from your environment as possible. This is where air purifiers come in to suction out the floating particles from the air. You should also make sure to use a vacuum cleaner with either HEPA filters in them or water<\/a> traps.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Is there a long-term cure for allergies?<\/b><\/h2>\n

As a rule, it\u2019s not a good idea to rely on medication to control your allergy. Instead, start by addressing the allergen triggers in your home environment. But remember that you want to clean your home, rather than sterilise it. It\u2019s important to implement the use of technologies such as a dehumidifier, air purifier and mattress protector to safeguard yourself against attacks. And who are mono sensitised may receive immunotherapy. This is achieved by exposing the patient to very small but increasing doses of the allergen, either under the tongue or by injection. The process takes 2-3 years. You should always consult the advice of a professional allergy doctor before taking action.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When my patients want to address the root cause of their allergens and put an end to the attacks, I refer them to Sani Allergy by Saniservice. As the GCC\u2019s premier source of hypoallergenic products they have a range of high-grade equipment and expert services including:<\/span><\/p>\n