Overview
Your home should be a fun, child-friendly space for your little ones to play and grow. But for children who are prone to indoor allergies it can cause allergy symptoms which include sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes to flare up. Indoor allergies can occur at any time during the year, but can prove to be especially troublesome during the rainy season, where your child will most likely spend more time indoors.
Select an allergy to learn more:
CHILDREN'S ALLERGY SYMPTOMS
ITCHY, WATERY EYES
SNEEZING
ITCHY SKIN RASH
NASAL CONGESTION
Pet Allergies
Keeping a furry friend indoors can cause your child to suffer an allergic reaction, such as a runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes. However, it is not their fur, but rather the proteins found in the animal’s dander (dead skin cells), saliva, or urine that triggers your allergy . These allergy-triggering particles stick mostly onto pet fur, which kids tend to touch frequently. On top of that, these particles are so lightweight that they can be transported in the air, and onto your kid’s clothes and hair.
DID YOU KNOW?
Most people tend to associate pet-related allergies with pet dander from a cat or dog. However, dander can also come from other pets, such as hamsters, rabbits, gerbils and guinea pigs, amongst others.1
Tips for Kids with Pet Allergies
- TAME FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS
Keep furry family members out of your child’s bedroom and be sure to teach your kid that he or she should wash his or her hands thoroughly after playing with pets.2
- SCRUB-A-DUB-DUB
Giving your pet regular baths can help to minimise the number of allergens on its fur.
- BE PICKY ABOUT PETS
You should consider temporarily babysitting or fostering a pet before deciding to adopt permanently to see if it triggers your kid's allergies. Cats tend to trigger allergy symptoms more frequently than dogs. However, it is important to note that animals who don't shed, too, can cause you to suffer an allergic reaction.
- PLAY SMART
If you are bringing your child to a playdate at his or her friend’s house, it is advisable for you to ask if they have a pet at home, so as to allow you to be prepared with allergy medicine should your child’s symptoms start to flare up.
Dust Allergies
Overview
Dust mites are found in the dust particles that collect naturally around your home. These microscopic creatures live off dead skin cells and hide in household fabrics such as pillows, mattresses, upholstered furniture, blankets, carpets and stuffed animals.
Dust mites are more prevalent in humid areas of your home and during the summer months. However, if you live in a warmer, more humid climate, they’re prevalent year-round.
DID YOU KNOW?
An average-sized house may accumulate approximately 40 pounds of dust each year.3
Tips for Kids with Pet Allergies
- REDUCE DUST BUNNIES
Toys and knick-knacks can be magnets for dust mites and other allergens. Be sure to dust surfaces with a damp sponge, and mop floors regularly using a vacuum with a HEPA filter or double-vacuum bag.4 Alternatively, opt to store all your child's clothes in drawers, or in a closet, to help reduce dust build-up.
- SLEEP TIGHT
To help reduce allergen build-up, wash all bedding and blankets regularly in hot water (at least 54°C).5 Always follow washing directions. Vacuum your child’s mattress every two weeks or use a special dust-mite cover for his or her mattress and pillow. You can also invest in hypoallergenic pillows, mattresses and furniture.2
- TAKE STUFFED ANIMALS FOR A SPIN
Dust mite droppings can build up on stuffed animal fluff over a prolonged period of time. To get rid of these microscopic allergy triggers, wash stuffed animals in hot water regularly. It’s also a good idea to limit the number of stuffed animals on your kid’s bed to one or two favorites, which in turn will minimise their exposure to lesser amounts of dust mites at night.2
- DITCH THE CARPET
Wall-to-wall carpeting is soft and cozy on your kid’s little feet, but can also be a magnet for many indoor allergens, which include dust, pet dander and mold . As an alternative, choose to replace wall-wall carpets with hardwood floors.2
Mold Allergies
Overview
Microscopic mold spores which float in the air like pollen can trigger your kid’s allergies. Indoor mold spores shed all-year round and can be found lurking in damp spots, such as basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, lofts, refrigerators and windowsills. Given the fact that mold thrives in damp spaces, mold allergies may occur more frequently throughout the year in Singapore, as the country is located near the equator, experiences regular monsoon rain patterns and humid weather conditions all-year round.
Tips for Kids with Mold Allergies
- CLEAN HOUSE
You can prevent mold growth by cleaning your bathroom, laundry room and basement regularly. Avoid leaving damp laundry in the washing machine for a prolonged period of time. Wash shower curtains, and bathroom tiles, grouting and fixtures with anti-mold cleaning solutions. Use only machine-washable bath mats in the bathroom.
- DEHUMIDIFY
The recommended humidity level of your home should be below 50%. A dehumidifier is an electrical appliance that is used to reduce and maintain the level of humidity in the air, to eliminate musty odour and to prevent the growth of mildew by extracting water from the air. Place a dehumidifier in a damp area of your home to keep the humidity level in check.
- LIGHTEN UP
Sunlight kills mold, which is why you should keep the curtains, shades or blinds in your home open throughout the day.
- GO HYPOALLERGENIC
Sweat can cause pillows, mattresses and furniture with rubber foam to develop mold. Therefore, it is important for you to check if your bedding and bedding covers are made from a hypoallergenic material.
REFERENCES
- Pet Allergy. Mayo Clinic. Accessed September 10, 2017.
- Indoor Year-Round Allergies in Children. Smart Allergy Mom® Toolkit. Accessed September 27, 2017.
- Dust in your home can make you sick: Here's how to fight it, Accessed 12 August, 2020
- Allergy Dust Mites. ENT and Allergy Center of Missouri. University Physicians. University of Missouri Health Center.
- Hot Water Removes Allergens Best, Accessed 12 August 2020
