Every morning without stopping, my older sister, May, would sneeze. It was a habit that bothered him to no end but he was rarely able to control it because he suffered from allergic rhinitis. This means he is very sensitive to dust, which often gives him horrible sneezing spasms, the worst of which makes it hard to breathe. The worst season for her is spring when allergies are triggered by pollen.
On the bright side, he has a valid excuse for not helping out with the spring cleaning. Since allergies and asthma run in our family, we are quite used to dealing with these conditions and finding the best gadgets that will help family members cope.
Moisturizer
A humidifier is essential, especially as fall and winter are approaching. Colder temperatures can cause people to turn up the heat in their homes, which in turn can dry out the air. The cold air may at first feel like heaven after the hot, sticky summer weather. It’s only when you get dry skin and a stuffy nose that you realize that cool dry air isn’t that great. Just because spring is over, doesn’t mean allergies will too. They can still light up, especially when cold weather forces you to be cooped up indoors more and exposed to indoor allergens more often. This is why fall and winter can be sad seasons for those with allergies and asthma. This is also why a moisturizer is a great tool for any allergy sufferer.
For my aunt Liza, who often suffers from sinus congestion during winters, a moisturizer is heaven. This helps clear his airways and makes it easier to breathe. Another thing that makes him happy is when he uses the steam pad together with the humidifier. It fills his room with a relaxing menthol scent and makes him sleep better at night. It is also a great remedy when your kids have a cold or flu.
Vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner is a staple in any household. But this cleaning gadget takes on a whole new meaning when it’s designed specifically for allergy sufferers. This time, the vacuum cleaner doesn’t just pick up dust, there are also models capable of picking up allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, dander, pollen, even mold. You can browse sites like Neato Robotics to check the specific model that fits your needs. One of its robot vacuum cleaners, the Neato XV-21 has incredibly strong suction that picks up not only dirt and grime, but even the hardest pet hair to remove. One of the features you should check is a special filter that is able to trap double or triple the amount of dust particles found in your home so that your home is free from indoor allergens.
Anti Mite Wrap
For an allergy-free home, one place you can start is your bedroom. In addition to a humidifier, mite-proof sleeves are one way to ensure that dust mites won’t find their way onto your bed, pillows or blankets. When my mother finally replaced my sister’s bed and pillowcases with mite repellant, May slept better and sneezed less. Her rhinitis is not as bad as before and her allergy triggers are minimized. However, before you buy anti-allergy wraps, research the different types so you can compare them. Some are only anti-dust mites while some also work against pet dander allergens that are smaller in size.
