Lung experts say your house could be making you sick! For children with asthma, this is no joking matter. Asthma affects more than 20 million people in the United States, including about 6 million children.
The lung disease sends more than 2 million people to the emergency room with life threatening asthma attacks each year. Contaminants, pollutants and other allergens in homes can make asthma worse.
Mold is everywhere. This living organism is amazingly successful at finding the right environment to thrive. Moisture and warmth are all it needs to get a foothold in a home, and once it's there it's very difficult to get rid of.
Once mold has found a good place to grow, it sends out millions of tiny spores into the air. These spores are invisible to the naked eye, but the human immune system certainly knows it's there. Molds produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, toxins. Many people will have an allergic reaction to mold.
It can also irritate eyes, skin, and lungs of people sensitive to mold. One study found children who loved in homes where mold could be found were twice as likely to have asthma attacks as children who did not have mold in their homes.
Another source of poor air quality in homes is dust and dust mites.
Dust mites are tiny insects found in every home.
Too many dust mites can trigger allergic reactions, possibly leading to dangerous asthma attacks.
Sheets and blankets should be laundered once a week. Stuffed toys can give dust mites a home, so be sure to buy toys you can wash.
Working to control the population of dust mites is the best strategy.
Pets can leave behind a big mess. It's the mess you can't easily see that could be causing the most problems.
Children with asthma who are allergic to pets can be bothered by dander, saliva and urine that even the most lovable and well-behaved pets will spread around the house. Consider keeping pets out of sleeping areas at all times.
Also, make sure they stay off fabric-covered furniture to help prevent allergens getting in hard-to-clean places.
Unwanted guests bring unwanted allergens. Even cockroaches can leave behind substances that can irritate lungs.
