When our second child was two years old, he developed a bad case of bronchitis, was put on a nebulizer and was labeled "pre-asthmatic." Immediately, my husband and I began to research what may have
contributed to his illness; and, as it turns out, dust was a leading culprit in making our son sick. I am happy to report that he's now a healthy five-year-old who's asthma-free, but I believe that that's partially due to the measures we took to rid our home of excess dust.
Dust, though it looks like a fine powder or dirt, is partially comprised of dust mites—microscopic, eight-legged creatures that feed off of shed human skin cells and pet dander—as well as their castoff skin and feces. These mites tend to exist mostly on mattresses, bedding, upholstery, and carpet, as well as other objects like stuffed animals and drapes. Dust mite populations are also higher in more humid climates than dryer ones.
And since dust is partly made up of living organisms, there are health risks of dust mites you should be aware of. Some people are more sensitive to dust mites than others, but those who are allergic to them can develop life-long health problems ranging from mild to severe. Dust health risks include: nasal irritations such as sneezing, runny nose, postnasal drip and congestion, sinus problems and inflammation, development and exacerbation of asthma, and skin irritations such as dermatitis and eczema.
The good news is that you can prevent excess dust in your home to reduce or eliminate the health risks caused by dust mites. If you are allergic to dust, the first thing you should consider is altering the environment inside your home. Wall-to-wall carpet is one of the leading causes of excess dust in the home, so rip it out if you can. Dust clings to carpet fibers, and every time you walk across the floor, the dust is kicked up and spreads. We were fortunate to have hardwood floors under our old carpet, so we took all of it out and now just have a few low-pile area rugs on our hardwood. This has significantly reduced the amount of dust in our home.
Dust, though it looks like a fine powder or dirt, is partially comprised of dust mites—microscopic, eight-legged creatures that feed off of shed human skin cells and pet dander—as well as their castoff skin and feces. These mites tend to exist mostly on mattresses, bedding, upholstery, and carpet, as well as other objects like stuffed animals and drapes. Dust mite populations are also higher in more humid climates than dryer ones.
And since dust is partly made up of living organisms, there are health risks of dust mites you should be aware of. Some people are more sensitive to dust mites than others, but those who are allergic to them can develop life-long health problems ranging from mild to severe. Dust health risks include: nasal irritations such as sneezing, runny nose, postnasal drip and congestion, sinus problems and inflammation, development and exacerbation of asthma, and skin irritations such as dermatitis and eczema.
The good news is that you can prevent excess dust in your home to reduce or eliminate the health risks caused by dust mites. If you are allergic to dust, the first thing you should consider is altering the environment inside your home. Wall-to-wall carpet is one of the leading causes of excess dust in the home, so rip it out if you can. Dust clings to carpet fibers, and every time you walk across the floor, the dust is kicked up and spreads. We were fortunate to have hardwood floors under our old carpet, so we took all of it out and now just have a few low-pile area rugs on our hardwood. This has significantly reduced the amount of dust in our home.
Ref: associatedcontent.com
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