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If you have indoor allergies, your allergy symptoms are likely caused by dust mite allergens, mold allergens and pet dander. While it may be easy to understand how molds and pets contribute to allergy symptoms, dust and dust mite allergens may be more difficult. Although there are many components in house dust to which people may be allergic, the biggest culprit is the dust mite. Dust mites are microscopic and because they cannot be seen, you may not know how to combat this virtually ‘invisible’ allergen source. Many allergic people have dust mite allergies, and to find allergy relief, it is important to learn how dust mites cause allergy symptoms. With this edition of the Allergy Control Products series on “The Secret to Living with Allergies”, you’ll find basic facts about dust mites in order to understand how they are affecting your health.

What are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are eight-legged arachnids and are relatives of spiders and ticks. The dust mite is microscopic and, unlike bed bugs, cannot be seen by the human eye. S `ince dust mites cannot be seen, it may be startling to learn that over one million dust mites can live in a single bed. Adult dust mites live for two to three months, during which time the female can lay 25 to 50 eggs every three weeks. Each dust mite produces approximately 20 waste particles a day, and more than 100,000 of these waste particles can be present in only a gram of dust.

To see a video of dust mites under microscope, visit the Allergy Learning Center at www.allergycontrol.com. Here, you have a rare opportunity to see these tiny allergy-causing mites up close.

What is Dust Mite Allergen?

Allergies are not caused by the dust mite being inhaled, but instead, allergy symptoms stem from a combination of waste particles from dust mites as well as their dead body fragments. These particles are called dust mite allergens, as they are the parts of the dust mite that actually cause allergy symptoms. To compound the allergy-causing ability of the dust mite, waste particles and dead body fragments remain allergenic even after the mite that produced them has died.

Where do Dust Mites Live in the Home?

Dust mites can live in even the cleanest homes and are present in nearly all homes in areas where the relative humidity is greater than 50% for some portion of the year. Dust mites are photophobic, which means that they thrive in dark, warm and humid environments. The largest source of dust mite allergen exposure comes from the bed, as it provides the perfect conditions for dust mite growth as well as their greatest food source, the shed scales of human skin. Large numbers of dust mites can live in your pillow, mattress, box spring, comforter and blanket. The second largest source of dust mites and dust mite allergens comes from the carpet, as the carpet provides another good living environment and dust mite allergens can build up over time. Other areas of the home that are prone to dust mite allergens are upholstered furniture, drapes, throw pillows and other areas with soft materials.

What is the First Area to Address for Dust Mite Allergy Relief?

While it is impossible to eliminate dust mites altogether, you can minimize your exposure to dust mite allergens and find allergy relief. Your allergy relief steps should be focused on the bedroom, as it is the room where you spend the most time in the day and have the highest exposure to dust mite allergens. Dust mite allergens are dispersed as we sleep in bed at night, fluff pillows or make the bed, walk or sit on the carpet, sit on stuffed furniture and come in contact with any soft, stuffed materials.

What Allergy Relief Steps Should Be Taken?

Don’t despair over not being able to completely eliminate dust mites, as scientific studies have shown that taking allergen avoidance steps to minimize dust mite allergen exposure in the bedroom leads to a decrease in allergic symptoms and a decrease in medication requirements for people with dust mite allergies.

Important dust mite allergy relief steps include:
• Use allergy encasings to create a barrier between you and the allergens in the bed.
• Wash linens, blankets and any un-encased bedding every week in hot water.
• Remove or treat the carpet to eliminate a large allergen source.
• If carpets cannot be removed, vacuum thoroughly with a HEPA vacuum cleaner or apply a carpet treatment to denature allergens.
• Keep humidity levels below 50% and ideally between 35-40%, as dust mites thrive in high humidity.
• Use HEPA filtration to capture allergens. HEPA filtration vacuum cleaners and air cleaners capture 99.97% of allergens down to 0.3 microns that pass through the filter.
• Use central furnace filters to capture allergens in your vent system.

For 25 years, Allergy Control Products has been recommended by thousands of physicians as the most trusted allergy company for revolutionary products. Whether you’re looking for the highest quality air purifier, air cleaner, air filters, hypoallergenic bedding or more, you can rely on the over 500 allergy products that have helped hundreds of thousands of allergy sufferers combat allergies and allergy relief.
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If you have pet allergies, you’re not alone. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), approximately 10 percent of Americans may be allergic to animals. Of these allergy sufferers, many may have asthma and 20 to 30 percent of asthma sufferers have pet allergies. These asthma sufferers include kids with childhood asthma. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) explains that allergic asthma (caused by allergens such as dust mites, cat and dog dander and other environmental allergens) is the most common form of asthma in children. What can you do if you, your child or someone in your family has pet allergies? This edition of the Allergy Control Products series on “The Secret to Living with Allergies” covers top allergy relief action steps for help with pet allergies.
Step 1: Understand where Pet Allergens are found and the Hurdles in Tackling Pet Allergies
Pet allergen, the allergy-causing material from dogs and cats that triggers allergic reactions, is not actually the pet hair but instead a protein present in the animal dander (made up of flaky skin cells and dried saliva). Pet allergens are particularly small and ‘sticky’. These allergens are found to the greatest extent in homes with pets, however, their sticky nature means that they often travel on clothes or in other ways to places where pets have never been allowed (such as offices, schools, and other public places).
Depending on individual factors including the severity of the pet allergy, you may face the very difficult decision of finding a new home for your pet. If this happens, removing pet dander will require thorough cleaning as pet dander is difficult to eliminate throughout the home, and it can take as long as 20 weeks for pet dander to no longer cause allergies. If you keep your pet, it is important to take the action steps outlined in Steps 2 – 9 to help reduce your exposure to pet allergens.
Step 2: Don’t Allow the Pet in the Allergic Individual’s Bedroom
To reduce exposure to pet allergens, keep the pet out of the bedroom. This room is where we spend much of our day while sleeping and is where the greatest levels of allergens can be found. Hands and clothing should be washed after any contact with your pet.
Step 3: Cover Pillows, Mattresses and Box Spring with Allergy Encasings
Protect yourself from pet allergens that have built up in the bed by covering pillow, mattress, box spring and even the comforter with allergy encasings. Choose an encasing with a small pore size (under 5-6 microns) that will effectively block the small pet dander particle and keep allergens contained within the bed.
Step 4: Wash Linens and Any Un-Encased Bedding Every Week in Hot Water
Any linens, pillows, blankets or comforters that aren’t encased should be washed weekly in hot water (130-degrees F) to remove allergens. If you have had to remove your pet, consider replacing bedding items with new purchases that are free from pet allergen build-up.
Step 5: Remove or Treat Carpets to Eliminate a Large Allergen Source
Allergens fall into the weave of the carpet, accumulating to create a large allergen source. Remove the carpet to prevent continued exposure, or treat carpets to denature allergens and vacuum thoroughly.
Step 6: Clean Your Carpet with a HEPA Filtration Vacuum, Designed to Contain the Small Pet Dander Particle
The tiny pet dander particle can pass through the standard bag of many vacuum cleaners and exhaust back into the air. HEPA vacuums, with high filtration bags and superior containment of allergen particles, should be used.
Step 7: Use HEPA Air Cleaners and Purifiers to Capture Airborne Allergens
Although large dust and mold allergens can settle to the ground more quickly, small pet allergens remain airborne longer. HEPA air cleaners and air purifiers are particularly good for these allergens.
Step 8: Use Central Furnace Filters or Place Filter Media Over Vents in the Bedroom
Filter air with a central furnace permanent or disposable air filter. Airborne allergen particles are captured by the air filter before circulating throughout the house. Cover vents in the allergic person’s bedroom with filter media that further traps airborne particles before entering the room.
Step 9: Reduce Dander by Giving Your Pet Frequent Baths
Although studies have demonstrated that washing pets with water removes some surface allergen, the effects are temporary and may not last long enough to reduce symptoms. Specially-formulated pet shampoos can be used to help remove dander.

For 25 years, Allergy Control Products has been recommended by thousands of physicians as the most trusted allergy company for revolutionary products. Whether you’re looking for the highest quality air purifier, air cleaner, air filters, hypoallergenic bedding or more, you can rely on the over 500 allergy products that have helped hundreds of thousands of allergy sufferers combat allergies and allergy relief. STD Screening ,

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hen you have indoor allergies to dust, mold and pet dander, you come into contact with allergy irritants all year round. This contact can be the highest in your bedroom, where you come to rest and rejuvenate, but may end up worsening allergy symptoms. The high levels of allergens found in your bedroom can affect your health, and the path to a healthier night’s sleep is through reducing your exposure to allergens and therefore preventing allergy symptoms. While steps should be taken throughout the home to reduce allergens, start in the bedroom as you spend the most time here. When you take these allergy relief steps, you’ll be on your way to a healthier home and a healthier night’s sleep.

Step 1: Cover Your Pillow and Mattress in Dust Mite-Proof Allergy Encasings

Over 1 million dust mites can live in a single bed. These dust mites love the dark, warm and humid environment found in any bedding, such as your pillows, mattress, box spring, comforter, blankets or linens. You are allergic to dust mite allergens, which are the dust mites’ dead bodies and fecal particles. You can protect yourself from the large source of allergens within the bed by using allergy-proof covers (or ‘allergy encasings’), which create a barrier between you and the allergens inside. Certain allergy encasings may also protect against pet dander that has built up in the bed and are helpful if you have pet allergies. The allergy encasings zip fully around your pillow or mattress, and the most recommended encasings, such as Allergy Control® encasings, are made from tightly woven fibers that are breathable, totally comfortable and easy to care for. Scientific studies prove the effectiveness of including these allergy encasings on your bed, and by taking this simple step, you can make a lasting difference toward a healthier night’s sleep.

Step 2: Wash Your Bedding Frequently

After including Allergy Control® encasings on the bed, it’s important to wash any other bedding, such as linens or blankets, frequently in hot water. Physicians recommended washing every 1 to 2 weeks, as hot water washing removes the dust mite allergens from bedding that contribute to your allergy symptoms. If you prefer not to wash in hot water, special allergen-removing laundry products such as Allersearch Allergen Wash or de-mite Laundry Additive can remove dust mite allergens in any temperature.

Step 3: Clean Regularly to Reduce Allergen Levels

Regular cleaning of your bedroom and home will keep allergen levels lower. Focus on the bedroom, following these 6 Steps for Allergy Relief and then use similar methods throughout the house. Prioritize your efforts to those cleaning steps that are the most practical and beneficial for removing allergens. An allergy sufferer should avoid being home when cleaning is done, or wear a face mask when others clean or when doing the cleaning. A face mask similar to Allergy Zone face mask includes a center valve that filters allergen particles while allowing breath to flow comfortably for easy use while cleaning.

Step 4: Remove or Treat Carpeting, the Second Largest Source of Dust Mite Allergens

Dust mites like to burrow into the fibers of the carpet, and as a result, the carpet is the second largest source of dust mite allergens after the bed. Removing the carpet in favor of hardwood or tile floors is the best option. If removing the carpet is not possible, clean the carpet with an allergy-related carpet treatment that is designed to kill dust mites or denature (meaning to ‘deactivate’) allergens. Also remove heavy curtains in favor of light, washable versions or blinds, and select leather or wipe-able furniture over stuffed upholstered furniture.

Step 5: Filter Air with HEPA Air Cleaners, Air Filters and HEPA Vacuums to Remove Airborne Allergens

Allergens can circulate in the air in your home and using air filters and HEPA filtration products such as HEPA Air Cleaners and HEPA Vacuum Cleaners will trap these allergens to decrease the irritants that you may inhale. Allergy-free® air filters in your central air/heat system will trap allergens from further circulating through the vents. HEPA air cleaners and HEPA air purifiers will trap 99.97% of allergens down to 0.3 microns that flow through the HEPA filter. HEPA air cleaners will trap dust, mold spores, pollens and more and are especially helpful for pet allergies as pet dander remains airborne for longer periods of time for improved filtration.

Step 6: Dehumidify Air to Reduce Dust Mite and Mold Levels

Dust mites and molds thrive in humid environments. Keeping humidity levels below 50% will decrease the growth of each, which will reduce the allergens in your home. Use air conditioners and dehumidifiers to keep levels ideally between 35 – 40%. Monitor humidity levels with a gauge to make sure that you’re in the right zone, even in the winter when using a humidifier.

For 25 years, Allergy Control Products has been recommended by thousands of physicians as the most trusted allergy company for revolutionary products for indoor allergies. Whether you’re looking for the highest quality air purifier, air filters, hypoallergenic bedding or more, you can rely on the over 500 allergy products that have helped hundreds of thousands of allergy sufferers combat allergies and allergy relief.

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Arthritis is a joint disorder or a rheumatic disease that causes pain and inflammation where the bones meet. The most obvious symptoms include joint stiffness, tenderness, swelling, warmth, redness, and limited function of the joints.<!–more–>

There are many different forms of arthritis that can affect other parts of the body that are not necessarily connected or even involving with joints. When this happens the symptoms can include weight loss, fatigue, fever, and gland swelling. It can also affect other areas of the body a cause serious problems to the lungs, kidneys, and major organs of the heart.

Hundreds of million of men, women, and children all over the world are affected by arthritis. Studies show that 60 out of 10 of arthritis patients are women and more than half of those suffering from this disease are over the age of 65.

There are over 100 types of arthritis that have been diagnosed. The more common and well known types of arthritis include septic arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, pseudo gout, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing sodalities, and still’s disease.

If you believe that you are suffering from arthritis it is important that you make an appointment with your doctor so that you can be treated immediately. Your doctor might refer you to a rheumatologist - an expert in the field of medical arthritis. Seeking out treatment early in the stages of arthritis could help to prevent disability and damage that cannot be reversed.

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A heart attack will hit someone when the blood flowing to a certain part of the heart is being blocked. If the flow of blood remains blocked for too long of a period then that part of the heart will be damaged due to lack of oxygen and it can die.<!–more–>

Heart attacks and the symptoms experienced during one can vary. There are some heart attacks that are very intense and can strike a person very suddenly and with very little warning. This is one of the more obvious symptoms and makes it easy to identify that it is a heart attack.

However, most heart attacks will strike someone slowly and the patient will only feel mild pain that is hard to associate with a heart attack. People who experience these mild symptoms must look for the more obvious signs so that they get help right away.

Chest Pains - When someone is experiencing a heart attack they will usually have pains in the center of their chest that will last for a few minutes. This pain will go away and come back and will feel as if someone is squeezing too hard.

Upper Body Pains - A person might also feel pains in their arms, neck, jaw, stomach, and back.

Shortness Of Breath - This can occur even if you are not having chest pains.

More Signs - These are some of the big signs to look for. Other smaller signs include nausea, lightheadedness, and breaking out into a cold sweat.

It is important to remember these symptoms. Cal 911 if you know or even suspect that you are having a heart attack. This is the fastest way for anyone to get treatment. The sooner someone who is having a heart attack is treated the more likely they are to survive from the experience and to avoid disability.

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