My Allergy Guide / Manage My Environment / Indoor Allergens

Manage My Environment

Allergies getting the best of you? Small changes can make a difference. Here you’ll find tips to reduce your exposure to allergens and articles on enjoying your favorite activities while managing your symptoms.

Indoor Allergens

Home is your sanctuary – the last place you want your allergies to bother you. Reclaim your spaces: take on your worst allergy triggers first or go room by room to get them under control.

Mold Allergies

Mold can be sneaky, growing just out of sight and causing a slew of allergy symptoms. Kill it and help keep it from coming back with these steps:

Fix leaky faucets and pipes
Make sure all rooms are properly ventilated
Use a vented exhaust fan to remove excess moisture
Keep the humidity in your house below 50% with air conditioners and dehumidifiers
Install extra dehumidifiers in places where mold collects
Use cleaning solutions designed to kill mold and mildew
Don’t over-water indoor plants – wet soil encourages mold

Pet Allergies

Pets bring a lot of love into your home. They can also trigger your allergies. Here are a few ways to help reduce pet dander:

Keep pets off upholstered furniture and carpets, and out of the bedroom
Bathe pets frequently to wash away trigger proteins, dander, and pollens that may cling to their fur
Brush pets outside
Ask someone without allergies to handle grooming and litter box chores
Choose low-pile carpets and steam clean them regularly
Wear a dust mask to vacuum
Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter for vacuuming and air filtration

Dust Allergies

A home that feels like a haven away from allergies can be a huge relief. Use these tips to help reduce dust and dust mites, a common trigger.

Straighten up your house and dust with a damp cloth each week
Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter for vacuuming and air filtration
Use synthetic mattress pads and pillows
Use zippered dust-proof covers on mattresses and pillows
Wash sheets and blankets in hot water each week
Avoid wool and feather-filled comforters
Avoid upholstered furniture and blinds. Minimize carpeting if possible
Choose washable curtains, rugs, and blankets

Roach Allergies

Now you have a new reason to hate cockroaches: they may be making your allergies worse. Use these steps to help reduce this trigger.

Call an exterminator – the fewer roaches, the better off you are
Keep your home dry
Vacuum, dust, and tidy up each week
Clean up crumbs and spills immediately
Wash your dishes soon after eating
Keep food in tightly sealed containers
Empty the garbage frequently
Seal cracks where bugs might enter your home

Home

Reducing allergies at home is important to your well-being. Get room-by-room tips in the module above. Here are some pointers specific to the bedroom:

Make your bedroom, especially your bed, a pet-free zone
Limit dust mite exposure by encasing pillows in allergen-proof materials
Wash sheets and throws at least once a week in hot water
Choose hypo-allergenic pillows and comforters
Sleep with your windows closed to keep pollen out

Work

Don’t let allergies at work distract you. Get help with these tips and keep the focus on what a great job you do.

Figure out what you’re reacting to. It could be a common allergy or a job-specific sensitivity
Track your symptoms – it may help you and your boss understand your triggers
Keep your work area clean, and free of dust and mold
Use a HEPA tabletop air purifier. You can also request a test of your building’s air quality
Ask your supervisor for help solving the problem

School

School can bring on a number of indoor allergies. Parents, try these tips:

Tell teachers and school staff about your child’s allergies
Remember to talk to the school nurse about your child’s allergies
Most schools require written permission to administer medication. Include instructions so they know what works for your child
Teach your child how to avoid his or her triggers, and how to cope with the symptoms