A warning has been issued about “hidden” health traps in your home.
Like pollen, dust is a common allergen, and those lint in forgotten corners of the house could be secretly causing us health problems.
So if you're wondering if it's time for a good spring cleaning, your lungs and eyes might thank you.
When it comes to “hidden” dust, Nicola Alexander-Cross, optometrist and co-founder of eyecare brand Peep Club, says problem areas include “the kitchen or bathroom/shower, as that's where we spend a lot of time.” of our time and because of the additional humidity. And then, the bedroom, especially if the sheets are not washed regularly enough,” he adds.
Emma Rubach, head of health advice at charity Asthma + Lung UK, says dust can be a really tricky thing to tackle at home.
“There is dust everywhere. Dust is often the product of shedding skin from humans and pets, as well as dust found on soft furniture, and even if you cleaned all the time, it would be very difficult to get rid of it,” says Rubach.
“This can become a bigger problem at certain times of the year, as turning on the heating for the first time in October will cause dust mites to mate, meaning there will be more in the house causing an allergic reaction,” he adds. .
Keeping your home dust-free can be tricky (Alamy/PA)
There are particular places in the house that can also be neglected, including children's toys or items that spend most of the year in storage, such as Christmas trees. This is worth keeping in mind if being around dust tends to trigger any symptoms.
Are you allergic to dust?
Being allergic to dust is not uncommon, especially if you are prone to similar allergic reactions. Symptoms of a reaction to dust include sneezing, runny nose, watery, irritated eyes, and sometimes general itching.
Dust can cause asthma
If you have asthma or a pre-existing lung condition, too much dust in the home could cause a reaction. In addition to some of the allergic reactions listed above, you may notice coughing and shortness of breath and an overall increase in symptoms.
“Actually, if you know that you have a dust allergy and that dust is triggering your lung health symptoms, it is very important to make sure that you regularly take your prescribed medications, because unfortunately it is very difficult to avoid dust. Make sure you ventilate your house and clean, but it is very difficult to clean your house of dust, so it is very, very important to make sure you take your medications as prescribed,” Rubach stresses.
“If you have asthma, it's very important to make sure you have a blue reliever inhaler, which will help if your symptoms get worse.”
Too much exposure to dust can irritate the eyes
Dust particles can often get trapped in the eyelashes and cause eye irritation until they are cleaned. If you notice that your eyes show symptoms (redness, itching, watering) after sweeping the house or vacuuming, it is very possible that you have a dust allergy or that you have particularly sensitive eyes.
When this happens, it is important not to rub your eyes. “Rubbing your eye can cause microscratches to the cornea and worsen symptoms,” says Alexander-Cross.
Instead, she suggests applying a cold compress or taking a cold shower, as heat can cause blood vessels to dilate, which can worsen irritation. Other tips include ventilating the house as much as possible by opening the windows to let in fresh air and also wiping your eyes to remove dust particles from your eyelashes.
