Could the dust in your home be making you ill?
Keeping your home completely dust-free might seem like an endless, tedious task. But could those dusty surfaces and skirting boards be making you unwell? Just like pollen, dust is a common allergen, and those dust bunnies in forgotten corners of the house could be secretly causing us health problems.
So, if you’re wondering whether it’s time for a good spring clean, your lungs and eyes could thank you for it.
Dust can be tricky to manage
When it comes to ‘hidden’ dust, Nicola Alexander-Cross, an optometrist and co-founder of eyecare brand, Peep Club, says problematic areas include “the kitchen or bath/shower – since it’s where we spend a lot of our time and because of the added humidity. And after that, the bedroom – especially if sheets aren’t washed regularly enough,” she adds.
Emma Rubach, head of health advice at the charity Asthma + Lung UK, says dust can be a really tricky thing to tackle in the home.
“There’s dust everywhere. Dust is usually the product of shedding skin from humans and pets, as well as dust found in soft furnishing, and even if you cleaned all the time, it would be really hard to get rid of it,” says Rubach.
“This can become more a problem at certain times of the year, as first turning on your heating in October will trigger dust mites to mate, meaning more in the house,” she adds.
Are you allergic to dust?
Being allergic to dust is not actually uncommon, especially if you are prone to similar allergic reactions. Symptoms of a reaction to dust include sneezing, a runny nose, watery, irritated eyes, and sometimes itching all over.
Dust can trigger asthma
If you have asthma or a preexisting lung condition, too much dust in the home could trigger a reaction. You might also notice coughing and breathlessness and a general increase in symptoms.
“It’s actually really important if you know that you’ve got a dust allergy to make sure you’re regularly taking your prescribed medicine,” stresses Rubach.
“If you have asthma, a blue reliever inhaler will help you if your symptoms do flare up.”
Too much dust can irritate your eyes
Dust particles can often get trapped in eyelashes and may cause irritation to the eye until they’re cleaned off. If you notice that your eyes have symptoms – redness, itchiness, watering – after you’ve swept the house or vacuumed, then it could well be that you have a dust allergy or particularly sensitive eyes.
And avoid rubbing your eyes. which can cause “micro scratches to your cornea and will make the symptoms worse,” AlexanderCross says.
Instead, she suggests a cool compress or taking a cool shower and if symptoms continue, see your doctor for advice.