Our homes cause allergies
We have one of the world’s highest rates of reaction to airborne allergens and how we live is to blame, writes Katie Newton.
Damp, mouldy homes, a love of furry pets and our acres of green pasture mean lots of sneezing, wheezing and feeling lousy for those with allergies.
Mark Dixon, chief executive of charitable organisation Allergy New Zealand, said most of us don’t realise how bad it is here. ‘‘People who are newly arrived and are just settling in are hit with it, they’re just not used to it,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s not something we should just put up with.’’
Dust mites:
Our damp, poorly ventilated houses contain some of the highest levels of dust mites around. ‘‘New Zealand is the capital of the world when it comes to dust mites,’’ said Dixon. ‘‘They love it when it’s between 18-24 degrees, with 60 per cent humidity or higher. We deliver beautifully for them.’’
The microscopic mites, which eat human skin scales and other debris, absorb water from the environment. The bed, couch and carpets are ideal breeding grounds.
Dust mites can trigger allergic rhinitis (sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and throat) and aggravate asthma, thanks to the allergens present in their faecal particles.
Tiny and light, the particles float into the air and if inhaled can cause a reaction. ‘‘If you’ve got the symptoms of an airborne allergy, it’s quite likely to be dust mites,’’ Dixon said.
The best way to control them is to prevent the conditions that cause them to multiply. Reduce dampness and humidity with proper ventilation and minimise or clean the areas they like to live.
Choosing hard surfaces such as floorboards or tiles over carpets and leather couches over fabric ones can help, as can encasing all mattresses, duvets and pillows with anti-allergen barriers. Washing bedding regularly in hot water and drying it on the hottest temperature in the dryer is effective too.
Mite numbers peak here in March and April, but even in very dry or cold conditions it can take months for allergen levels to fall. Mould:
Damp homes also provide the perfect environment for mould to grow. Mould spores can trigger allergies and asthma, although Dixon said the true cause can be difficult to pinpoint because the same conditions that cause mould growth also cause dust mite infestations.
Preventing and treating damp and mould follows many of the same principles as for dust mites. Focus on ventilation by using extractor fans and opening windows and regularly air and clean bedding and soft furnishings.
Larrie Newman, Service Delivery Manager for mould cleaning company Clear Mould said mould is very difficult to remove once it’s established. ‘‘Lots of people think bleach works but it just takes the colour out. You need to kill it and prevent it from coming back.’’
Dixon agreed: ‘‘It comes down to the quality of our homes. You can keep cleaning mould away and it’ll keep coming back, until you fix the dampness.’’
Pollen:
‘‘A perfect storm’’ is how Dixon described our pollen conditions.
‘‘When you think about it, our whole economy is based on an activity that cut down hectares of native forest and planted them with grass seed,’’ he said. ‘‘Combine that with the fact that we’re three islands with a temperate climate with plenty of wind to spread pollen around.’’
Pollen allergens have been tracked 4000km away from their source so living in the city is not an escape. Together with grasses, some other common species which cause allergic reactions are birch, olive, pine and privet. While complete avoidance of allergy causing pollen is impossible, keeping windows shut and wearing sunglasses and dust masks while gardening can help. Pollen allergies or hay fever are at their highest in spring and summer, but can occur at any time of the year when plants are flowering.
Pets:
We are a nation of pet-lovers but our furry friends are another common trigger for allergies. This is due mostly to the presence of dander (skin flecks) or proteins found in their bodily fluids that settle on soft furnishings and other surfaces around the home.
Lightweight and small, pet allergens (particularly cat and dog) remain suspended in the air for a long time. Due to their size and uneven shape, they can easily cling to furnishings and surfaces, long after the animal has gone. If you must have a pet but have visitors or family members with allergies, keep the pets off the soft furnishings such as beds, carpets and the couch.
Ventilate and clean your home as much as possible and use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA-rated filter. Regular bathing and grooming of your pet can also help.