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Environmental Allergen
Aka: Environmental Allergen, Allergen Control, Airborne Allergen
- See Also
- Extrinsic Asthma (Allergic Asthma)
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Dust mite
- Indications
- Atopic Triad
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Eczematous Dermatitis (Atopic Dermatitis)
- Asthma
- Efficacy
- Overall evidence for Dust mite avoidance is limited
- Mite acaricides and bedroom Allergen Control may be reasonable
- However, impermeable dust covers are unlikely to be beneficial
- Sheikh (2010) Cochrane Database Syst Rev (7):CD001563 +PMID:20614426 [PubMed]
- Management: Furniture, Bedding and stuffed animals (house Dust mite)
- Replace heavily infested bedding
- Launder bedding weekly in hot water (130 degrees F)
- Routinely clean carpets and furniture
- Remove stuffed animals from sleeping area
- Encase pillows and mattresses in semipermeable covers (not supported by evidence)
- Plastic covers with cloth backing available
- Feels like real cloth or upholstery
- Not found in studies to improve symptoms
- Terreehorst (2003) N Engl J Med 349:237-46 [PubMed]
- Management: Housework (house Dust mite)
- Avoid vacuuming if dust sensitive (or use mask)
- Vacuum carpets and clean floors frequently
- HEPA (High efficiency particulate air) filter bags
- Double-thickness vacuum bags
- Replace bedroom carpet with hardwood or linoleum
- Especially carpets overlying concrete
- Minimize dust-collecting surfaces (e.g. shelves)
- Wipe with moist cloth once weekly
- Cover windows with shades and washable curtains
- Clean shades often (avoid Venetian blinds)
- Treat carpet with Acaricide or denaturer (tannic acid)
- Low efficacy and must be repeated often
- Management: Ventilation (house Dust mite and pollen sensitive)
- Ensure well-ventilated rooms
- Install bedroom high-density particulate air filter (may not be evidence-based)
- Use air conditioner to reduce humidity/Temperature
- Management: Damp Areas (Mold sensitivity)
- Avoid damp, poorly ventilated areas (basement, attic)
- Clean shower, basement, and windowsill frequently
- Check Cooling System frequently for mold
- Clean vaporizers and humidifiers
- Remove sources of mold growth (piles of leaves)
- Consider dehumidifier to control humidity (<50%)
- Also reduces Dust mite growth
- Humidity <35% eliminates mite growth completely
- Increase ventilation
- Remove under house water
- Consider fungicides
- Management: Miscellaneous
- Irritants
- Avoid Second hand smoke
- Pollen (Pollen sensitivity)
- Avoid grass/outdoor allergen exposures
- Eliminate houseplants, especially in bedroom
- Animal sensitivity
- Remove pet from house if possible
- Keep pets out of bedroom (e.g. outside or garage)
- Wash the pet weekly in water
- Follow other environmental recommendations above
- Vacuum bedroom carpets weekly
- Eliminate carpeting and upholstered furniture
- References
- Bierman (1996) Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 16:753-64 [PubMed]
- German (2002) Am Fam Physician 66(3):421-6 [PubMed]
- Tovey (1999) J Allergy Clin Immunol 103(2 pt 1):179-91 [PubMed]
- Tsitoura (2002) Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 156:1021-7 [PubMed]