Allergies and dust mites

1. About Allergies and Dust Mites
A common mistake made by allergy sufferers is to assume if you can't avoid
all the allergens all the time, there is no point in trying to avoid any of them.
But, according to allergy physicians, breathing in airborne allergens is a
cumulative problem.
Think of your immune system as a bucket. It takes in
allergens and starts filling up. Symptoms don't
appear until your "bucket" begins to overflow.
That's when you become miserable. Allergy
physicians highly recommend environmental controls
to help you avoid enough allergens so that
your "bucket" won't overflow. Whether you're allergic
to one or several substances, successful avoidance
of even one of them can help reduce your allergen
stress load.
Let's say you've been diagnosed with dust mite
allergies, one of the most common problems. Using
products such as dust mites encasement in your
mattress will reduce your exposure to dust mite
allergen. Think about it. You won't be breathing in
invisible allergen all night, and you may wake up with
no allergy symptoms. Plus the 8-10 hours of exposure
to a allergen free environment will give your system a
chance to recover so that you can start the day with
an "empty bucket." In fact, with conscientious,
on-going avoidance measures, your "bucket" may
never overflow again! And wouldn't that be nice?
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2. The Bucket Theory
Walls of the bucket = Your immune system's capacity
Water level in the bucket = Summation of your load
Water overflow = Symptoms
Mat under the bucket = Medications (Stress = Lowers walls of the bucket and
increases water level)
Immunotherapy Raises the walls of the bucket
Avoidance therapy = Allows less water into the bucket
Avoidance should include not only the identified allergens, but also factors
which may contribute to increasing your total load, i.e. environmental,
physical, and emotional stresses.
Your allergy load can be increased by exposure to several allergens in small
amounts, or a combination of allergens to which you are mildly allergic and
some to which you react severely.
What are some things that will decrease my allergy load?
1. Isolate the allergen or allergen producing item. For example, mattress
encasings can keep you from coming in contact with dust mites, mold, and
house dust.
2. Remove the allergen or allergen producing items from your home and
particularly your bedroom. Any of the common allergens or other items that
bring on your symptoms should be taken from your breathing space.
3. Ventilate to remove allergens or pollutants. This can be helpful to dilute
tobacco smoke, odors, and chemical fumes. These should be avoided by the
sensitive person.
4. Filter allergens from the air. High performance HEPA air filters can remove
dust, pollen, and mold which all contribute to total allergy load. It can also
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3. provide a continuous supply of clean, allergen-free air for working and
sleeping.
5. Recognize the need to make your bedroom as allergen-free as possible.
Breathing clean air all night gives your immune system an opportunity to
recuperate from daytime exposures.
6. Consult with your doctor about improving your nutrition.
7. Lower your stress level. Stress lowers your resistance to allergen
exposures.
8. Get more rest.
Where to begin with your allergen avoidance program
1. Survey your home for any visible mold growth or any area with a musty
smell. Remove the mold with a non-toxic cleaner such as AURO .
2. Use HYLA Water based cleaning system to vacuum your mattress.
3. Cover your mattress and pillows with anti-allergen encasings.
4. Remove pets from the home or at least from your bedroom.
5. If you cannot remove carpet from your bedroom, treat with Miteout.
6. Keep your bedroom as dust free as possible.
7. Use a portable room HEPA air purifier in your bedroom or where you spend
the most time.
Need Professional Assistance?
Please feel free to call us at 3421 1585 or 9303 3748 now and see what we
can do for you.
Kenneth Kong Dip. in Allergy
Kenlice (Hong Kong) Ltd.
www.healthpoint.hk ! email : kenneth@healthpoin.hk