- Exterminate, vacuum-clean and wet-wash the house.

- Place trash outside the home daily and avoid letting dirty dishes collect in the sink.

- Store food in sealed plastic containers.

- Seal cracks and remove sources of standing water.

Fungal allergen exposures generally take place outdoors; nevertheless, some fungi may invade homes through open doors and windows and grow on a variety of materials. If you are found to be allergic to them, try the following measures:

- Keep the doors and windows closed and use air conditioning.

- Control moisture by sealing water leaks, ventilating bathrooms and kitchen, and using dehumidifiers.

- Use chlorine bleach with detergent or quaternary amine preparations to clean contaminated materials.

- Use high-efficiency air filters.

- Use a mask when cleaning contaminated materials.

Although all these measures will not guaranty you an allergy-free life, most of them are easy to implement and can help you to reduce the symptoms. If you are not sure whether or not your symptoms are actually an allergy, see your doctor for advice and possibly testing. Remember, it's your home and it's up to you to say no to mites and cockroaches.

- Marat Plotkin M.D.

Healthpoint Pediatrics

Home | News | Sports | Opinion | Weekend | Churches | Classifieds | Archives Copyright 2004-Fayette Publishing, Inc.