What you can do to help your kids

Coughing, sneezing, wheezing, itching, congestion – kids with allergies put up with a lot of miserable symptoms. How can you help?

Some childhood allergy triggers are out of your control such as a change of seasons or the pollen count. But there are many other allergy triggers you can avoid to reduce childhood allergy symptoms.

By learning the exact environmental irritants that trigger your child's allergies – and taking aggressive steps to avoid these allergens – you can improve your child's breathing and quality of life.

Childhood allergy triggers vary from person to person and can even change over time. Molds, pollen, dust, animal dander, internal and external pollutants, and chemical toxins are the main triggers that greatly affect allergies in children, as well as overall health.

Checkmark Your Child's Allergy Triggers

Which environmental allergens trigger your child's allergy symptoms? Checkmark those allergy triggers that may apply to your child:

• Dust
• Pollen
• Mold and mildew
• Tobacco smoke and wood smoke
• Chemical fumes, aerosols, fresh paint, perfume and scented products
• Weather fronts, wind, cold air, humid air
• Pet dander. Some studies show that washing your pet weekly may reduce the amount of allergens that are shed in the home. Pet allergies can also affect the skin causing hives and itching. The animal's hair or fur can collect dust, pollen, mold, or other allergens and bring them into the home.

Now that you have a better idea of the culprits that might cause your child's allergy symptoms, what's next? Here are some starting tips to help lighten your child's allergy load.

Win the Battle Against Dust Mites

House dust is made up of small particles of plant and animal material. Dust mites thrive on dust, and, sad to say, their droppings are the most common trigger of year-round allergies. In fact, an estimated 500 million people around the world are allergic to dust mites.

Fortunately, studies show that decreasing exposure to dust can help greatly to decrease childhood allergy symptoms. Children with allergies should have the bedroom as bare as possible to keep the dust mite population low during sleep. This means no rugs or carpets, heavy drapes, stuffed animals, or scores of books and toys.

Try these tips:

• Use air-conditioning to dehumidify the air and filter out 99% of all the pollen and allergen producing materials.
• Have the air ducts in your home professionally cleaned.
• Dust at least once a week or more often, if possible.
• Use nonporous vacuum cleaner bags, and vacuum with a High Energy Particulate Arrester (HEPA) filter to help eliminate dust. HEPA filters can be efficient in filtering out airborne allergens and dander.
• Get rid of fuzzy or woolen blankets and down comforters.
• Wash your child's bed linens in hot water at least weekly to kill dust mites. While a cold-water wash will get rid of some dust mites, only hot water (at least 131 degrees F) will kill the mites. Dry your child's bed covering in a hot dryer.
• Encase the child's mattress, box spring, and pillow in a plastic zip-on cover or a special allergen-proof fabric cover to prevent dust mites from breeding in the bedding. These covers can be purchased at any allergy supply store. Tape over the zipper to seal out dust leaks.
• Modify your child's bedroom by replacing dusty carpets with linoleum or hardwood floors. Remove curtains and use shades or easy-wipe shutters.
• Keep your house cool (less than 70 degrees) and dry (less than 50% relative humidity but 30% to 40% is ideal). Both measures help decrease the abundance of dust mites, as well as cockroaches and fungal problems.
• Use several layers of cheesecloth as a filter over incoming air vents, particularly in the child's bedroom. These will help to trap dust, dirt or lint coming through the duct work.
• If possible, keep clothing in another room to lessen dust in the child's bedroom.
• Visit your local pediatric clinic for additional information about allergy treatment. Your child's pediatrician will have the resources to help improve your child's quality of life.