Common Allergies for Kids and How to Combat with Cleaning

If you’re noticing your child coughing, sneezing, itching or wheezing, there’s a good chance they’re subject to a common allergy and could be set off by something around your home. No matter the season, there are plenty of steps you can take to make sure that your child has the best chance of getting through the year, without any irritating symptoms as possible.

From mould to dust mites, making sure that your house is kept clean and knowing how to effectively get rid of allergens can make all the difference to your child’s health.

Here are some common allergies and symptoms to look out for, and how to clean to combat them.

 

Dust Mites

Sneezing, a runny nose, itchy or watery eyes and congestion, are all common signs of an allergy to dust mites. If your child seems to be struggling with their allergies indoors, there is a high chance that they may have developed an allergy to dust mites.

Dust mites are invisible to the naked eye, and hide in dust throughout your home, often in blankets, pillows, carpets and couches. Even in the cleanest of homes, often dust mites are still found lurking and causing respiratory problems for young children.

A simple vacuum often isn’t enough to get rid of these little critters. Make sure to use a damp cloth at least once a week to wipe flat surfaces, wash and air dry any bedding your child may use frequently, and deep clean your carpets and upholstery at least once a year. This will ensure that the majority of dust where dust mites reside is removed, and prevents the spread of these unwanted, miniscule bugs.

Performing a regular and thorough deep clean of your furniture and carpets doesn’t have to be an expensive and time-consuming effort. Have a look at our Rug Doctor cost calculator to find out if hiring a Rug Doctor could be an easy option for you and your family.

 

Hay Fever

Like many other allergies, hay fever is the immune systems response to common allergens in a house hold, and is often triggered by wind-blown pollen's from trees, grass and flowers. This often occurs in children during a change of season when pollen is released, starting in spring and extending into the end of summer. If your child is experiencing symptoms similar to a common cold, set off seemingly quite randomly, they could be suffering from hay fever.

Cleaning to avoid pollen induced hay fever can be difficult, as often these pollen's are air born and carried inside from the outdoors. Ensuring that doors and windows are closed during windy days can be a great step towards helping your child’s hay fever allergy. Take a look at New Zealand’s official pollen calendar if you’re unsure of when these seasonal changes occur. It’s also important to regularly clean your home from top to bottom and wash any clothing that has had outdoor exposure. 

Furthermore, installing efficient air filters in your home can lessen the amount of pollen's in your home, and significantly help kids who are suffering from pollen allergens.

 

Pet Fur 

It can be difficult when your child is madly in love with the family cat, but simply patting their furry friend can induce a quick succession of sneezes, itchy eyes and a runny nose. Small animal allergies are extremely common in young children and can negatively affect their respiratory systems.

Never fear, there are many ways to clean and prepare, so your child stays healthy and you get to keep the family cat. A great place to begin is to keep your pets outdoors, or if they are indoor animals, limit the spaces in the house that they are allowed. This reduces the amount of pet fur spread throughout the house, as well as the pollen count brought in from the outdoors.

If this isn’t possible, thoroughly cleaning can be your best friend. Make sure to regularly clean the spaces that your pets love to lay on, vacuum frequently, and professionally deep clean your carpets to remove any unwanted animal fur or stains that are lodged in your carpet’s fibres. 

 

Mould 

With the winter months, comes the issue of cold and damp houses with plenty of condensation, and in turn, the growth of mould spores and other fungi. In children, an allergy to mould can bring on mild to severe allergic reactions, from sneezing, to itching, runny noses and congestion. If mould spores enter the lungs of children, it can also trigger asthma and worsen respiratory systems over time.

If you find mould within your home and you think it may be affecting your child, don’t panic straight away. There are plenty of ways to clean to avoid contamination and get rid of those harmful spores. Make sure to wash clothing in warm water, use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air and reduce the spread of mould, and use bleach to wipe down surfaces that are affected. 

Unfortunately, mould can affect much more than walls and ceilings. If you can visibly see dark patches in your carpets (be sure to check the back of wardrobes and other dark and damp areas) then it’s likely the mould has spread. Although mould is very difficult to remove once it has embedded into fabric and fibres, you can safely use a Rug Doctor machine along with the Rug Doctor Odour Remover solution on carpets, upholstery and rugs to stop the spread of this kind of mould. Regular carpet cleaning can help prevent the spread of mould spores, in the places you least suspect it.

 

If you’re worried about allergens in your home and decide that a thorough clean of your carpets and upholstery is a good option, be sure to check out Rug Doctor’s FAQ page, and get the best tips on how to effectively clean your home.

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