August 2004 How to Create a Dust-Free Bedroom
If you are dust-sensitive, especially if you have allergies and/or asthma, you can reduce some of your misery by creating a "dust-free" bedroom. Dust may contain molds, fibers, and dander from dogs, cats, and other animals, as well as tiny dust mites. These mites, which live in bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpets, thrive in the summer and die in the winter. They will, however, continue to thrive in the winter if the house is warm and humid. The particles seen floating in a shaft of sunlight include dead mites and their waste products. The waste products actually provoke the allergic reaction.
PREPARATION
MAINTENANCE
CARPETING AND FLOORINGCarpeting makes dust control impossible. Although shag carpets are the worst type to have if you are dust sensitive, all carpets trap dust. Therefore, health care experts recommend hardwood, tile, or linoleum floors. Treating carpets with tannic acid eliminates some dust mite allergen. Tannic acid, however, is
BEDS AND BEDDINGKeep only one bed in the bedroom. Most importantly, encase box springs and mattress in a zippered dust-proof or allergen-proof cover. Scrub bed springs outside the room. If you must have a second bed in the room, prepare it in the same manner.Use only washable materials on the bed. Sheets, blankets, and other bedclothes should be washed frequently in water that is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGSKeep furniture and furnishings to a minimum.
AIR CONTROLAir filters—either added to a furnace or a room unit—can reduce the levels of allergens. Electrostatic and HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorption) filters can effectively remove many allergens from the air. If they don’t function right, however, electrostatic filters may give off ozone, which can be harmful to your lungs if you have asthma.A dehumidifier may help because house mites need high humidity to live and grow. You should take special care to clean the unit frequently with a weak bleach solution (1 cup bleach in 1 gallon water) or a commercial product to prevent mold growth. Although low humidity may reduce dust mite levels, it might irritate your nose and lungs. CHILDRENIn addition to the above guidelines, if you are caring for a child who is dust-sensitive
PETSKeep all animals with fur or feathers out of the bedroom. If you are allergic to dust mites, you could also be allergic or develop an allergy to cats, dogs, or other animals.Although these steps may seem difficult at first, experience plus habit will make them easier. The results—better breathing, fewer medicines, and greater freedom from allergy and asthma attacks—will be well worth your effort. MORE INFORMATIONNational Library of MedicineMedlinePlus 8600 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20894 1-888-FIND-NLM (1-888-346-3656) 301-594-5983 http://medlineplus.gov Allergy & Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics 2751 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 150 Fairfax, VA 22031 1-800-878-4403 or 703-641-9595 http://www.aanma.org American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology 555 E. Wells Street, Suite 1100 Milwaukee, WI 53202-3823 1-800-822-2762 http://www.aaaai.org Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America 1233 20th Street, NW, Suite 402 Washington, DC 20036 1-800-7-ASTHMA (1-800-727-8462) http://aafa.org
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