The ragweed season is over, and the air outside feels clean and crisp. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah are approaching.
It’s an exciting and busy time of year, but also one in which parents with children who have asthma or allergies have to be careful not to introduce irritants and allergens, along with their holiday traditions, into their homes.
(Photo: (c) Jeffrey May 2008: The jar rim is black, but most of the soot from this candle went into the air.)
Below are some tips to help you keep the air in your home contaminant-free during the holidays. Read the rest »
By Jeff on 11/16/08 in Columns, Featured, Health, Healthy Home Tips, Holidays
If your child has a cold or asthma you may be tempted to operate a humidifier in his or her bedroom. But humidifiers can cause mold and indoor air quality problems.
Children play hard and get dirty, so their bodies and clothing need to be washed often. It’s also important to keep the house clean, especially the floors, where toddlers crawl and children play. Careful cleaning should reduce odors, dirt and dust, but unfortunately, the opposite is sometimes the case. For example, a conventional vacuum cleaner may spew out allergens in its exhaust, and a sponge or mop contaminated with bacterial growth can make the broom closet or surfaces you wipe stink. (image of magnified bacteria digesting skin scale on a stinky sponge – (c) J. May 2008) 
No one wants a child crawling around on dust and grime, so we vacuum carpets and mop kitchen floors. 
Dust is home to dust mites, a pest virtually invisible to the naked eye, and one of the most common causes of allergy and asthma symptoms in the world. Dust mites thrive on our skin scales and body moisture, so they are found in beds, pillows, frequently used cushioned furniture, and even clothing. If your child has allergies or asthma, take steps to minimize the presence of dust mites, as well as other allergens, in your child’s bedroom. 
