According to Dr. Alanna Levine of the American Academy of Pediatrics, allergy symptoms typically begin during childhood. She offers the following the ABCs for maintaining a healthy environment for children:
Avoid
Avoid allergy triggers such as products made of feathers or down. Use hypoallergenic pillows on your child’s bed, and limit exposure to perfume, talcum powder, hair spray, air fresheners and fabric softeners. Strong fragrances aggravate allergy symptoms, so keep children prone to allergies out of the house when you spray fragrances or use strong cleaning products.
Balance
Maintain a consistent balance in the house to minimize allergens. Keep the windows shut and use central air conditioning during high-pollen seasons to protect children from pollen particles that trees, grasses and weeds release into the air. These particles can harbor in the eyes, nose and airways, causing allergy symptoms to flare. Also, give children washable, non-allergenic stuffed toys when possible, and wash the ones played with the most on a weekly basis – in hot water at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Change
Change items that are easy to neglect but are important for maintaining a healthier house, such as leaky faucets, pipes and other high-moisture areas where mold commonly grows. Don’t neglect their air in the house, either. Change your filter every three months, and use a high-performance filter such as a Filtrete Elite Allergen Reduction Filter from 3M. Vacuum your carpet often and thoroughly, and change the vacuum cleaner bag on a monthly basis.
– Courtesy of Family Features
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