Dust– this is what allergy sufferers have to deal with first. The hypoallergenic method is wet cleaning with plain water and a cloth. All horizontal surfaces in the house should be wiped down at least once every 1-3 days.
Vacuum cleaners and their filters. Each filter allows dust to pass through it, and even more of it flies out of the crevices of the vacuum cleaner itself. The safest cleaning method is a damp broom, mop and rag. Allergy sufferers should completely avoid "chemical" cleaning in the house. And if this is not possible, entrust it to a loved one when you go out for a walk.
The best choice for the allergy sufferer is to not have curtains or to replace them with blinds with metal slats that are easy to clean from dust.
Dust is well retained by mosquito nets, and a special filter net will protect you from pollen and other allergenic particles.
The fewer objects in the house that collect dust (skins, carpets, canopies, curtains, souvenirs, figurines, books, soft toys), the better. It is recommended to store things in closets in special boxes or bags.
In the interior, it is preferable to use synthetic fabrics: nylon, polyester, etc. They are more practical: they are not destroyed by light, changes in humidity, do not rot and are very resistant to wear. Easy to maintain: they accumulate less dust, they are easy to wash and clean. And they themselves are not a source of dust and allergens. The most allergenic natural fabrics are wool and fur, as well as natural and artificial (viscose, acetate) materials with hair.
Another risk factor is bedding, as a potential habitat for dust mites, whose waste products can provoke severe allergies. It is recommended that instead of the most allergenic filler - "feathers" - you use hypoallergenic options: holofiber, bamboo, natural latex, etc.
There are special cases with locks that protect bed linen from mites. It is best to change bed linen once a week and wash it on high heat, and to clean pillows at least once every six months.
Using a bunk bed is dangerous because the child sleeping underneath gets a double dose of "dust" allergens.
Mold control and prevention- an important factor for a hypoallergenic life, since mold fungi are in 2nd place after mites in the list of household allergens and in most cases they act together.
If the air in the apartment is dry, more dust accumulates in it and it becomes difficult to breathe, and if there is excessive humidity, this contributes to the spread of dust mites and mold.
Humidity in the house can be controlled using a special humidifier. "Folk" humidification methods include placing containers with water in the apartment, especially during the heating season, hanging wet towels, mostly on radiators. The presence of an aquarium or indoor fountain in the apartment serves the same purpose. Indoor plants (they should be hypoallergenic), which require daily spraying, also contribute to the humidification of the air.
Pets.Allergies are usually caused by pet waste (particles of fur, down, feathers, secretions) and food (eg dry fish food). Allergens can linger in a room for more than 2 years from the moment a cat, dog, hamster, parrot and other pets no longer live there.
Hypoallergenic diet
The first rule of thumb for any allergy sufferer is to avoid contact with the allergen if unpleasant symptoms appear and take the necessary medication. Correcting the diet in this case significantly improves the condition of an adult or a child.
Of course, if there is a food allergy confirmed by clinical diagnostic tests, the doctor prescribes a specialized diet. But there is also a non-specific hypoallergenic diet approved by doctors. It can be followed regardless of the nature of the allergen (domestic, insect, medical, etc. ) to reduce the burden on the body and speed up recovery. Including atopic dermatitis, which often worsens in winter.
Prohibited products.According to the degree of allergenicity, all products can be divided into strongly, moderately and slightly allergenic.
First of all, you should exclude everything fried, smoked, salty and spicy. As well as semi-finished meat and fish products - cutlets, sausages, fish burgers, sausages, etc. , Because they contain a large number of aromatic and aromatic additives, stabilizers. The preferred method of cooking when following a hypoallergenic diet: baking, boiling, stewing with a minimum amount of oil. Instead of coffee, drink rosehip infusion, weak tea and still water. To control your diet, keep a food diary and write down everything you eat during the day.
Recommended foods |
Products to exclude |
|---|---|
Dairy products and eggs.Goat milk. Fermented dairy products (one-day): kefir, acidophilus, matzoni, narine, cottage cheese (individually). Butter - small children 10-15 g, older children - 20-25 g. (preferably processed) Not sharp types of cheese. Hard-boiled yolk at least 1-2 times a week (individually). |
Non-fermented cow's milk (including dry and canned), fermented milk, fermented baked milk, cream, sour cream, children's cream cheese, processed cheese, sharp cheeses, cheeses with spices. Egg (including products that contain it: mayonnaise, creams, sauces, some types of bread, sweets). If you are sensitive to molds, exclude kefir, cottage cheese, muffins, kvass and moldy varieties of cheese. |
Cereals and their dishes. Buckwheat, pearl barley, oatmeal, corn, rice porridge (boiled in water). Pasta (1-2 times a week). To reduce allergenicity, it is recommended to soak cereals in cold water for 1-2 hours. |
Cereals from semolina and millet, Artek cereals, wheat, rye. |
Vegetables (green or white).Potatoes (soaked for 10-12 hours). Cabbage (white, cauliflower, fresh). Parsley, dill, lettuce, zucchini, pumpkin, fresh cucumbers (except greenhouse). Boiled carrots (separately). To reduce allergenicity, it is recommended to soak vegetables in cold water for 1-2 hours. |
Pumpkin, turnip, rutabaga, tomatoes, tomato sauce, radishes, sunflower seeds; eggplants, peas, beans, green peas, celery, raw onions, sorrel, pickles, sauerkraut. |
Fruits, berries (light color).Green apples, plums, white and yellow cherries, white currants, green pears. Blueberries, blueberries, cranberries, prunes. Older children: gooseberries, blueberries, bananas (individually). Fruits that are peeled, stored in the refrigerator, baked or in the form of compotes are less allergenic. |
Strawberries, wild strawberries, raspberries, currants (black, red), cherries. Peaches, apricots, cantaloupe, persimmon, grapes, pineapples, mango, papaya, pomegranate, sea buckthorn. Canned juices and compotes. Citrus fruits (orange, tangerine, lemon, kiwi, etc. ). |
fats.Refined vegetable oil - up to 30 - 40 g (preferably corn or olive oil). |
Lard, animal cooking fat, margarine. Fish (red and white, smoked and salted), canned fish. Caviar (red and black). Vinegar, mayonnaise, black pepper, mustard, garlic, cinnamon, horseradish, salty foods. |
Bread.Bran bread. White (unsweetened) and black (unsweetened) bread; ordinary dryers, crackers, crackers, diabetic biscuits. For older children - homemade pie with yeast without eggs, with prunes or apples. Apple marmalade. Marshmallows (in small quantities). |
Chocolate, chocolates, coffee, cocoa, cream cakes, rich breads and rolls, Tula and honey gingerbread, marshmallows, ice cream. Nuts, halva, honey. |
meat.Beef (steamed, boiled). Rabbit, turkey. Horse meat. Pork and lamb (lean). Specialized canned food for children. The allergenic activity of meat decreases with freezing and subsequent gradual thawing, soaking and prolonged cooking. Meat from young animals is more allergenic. |
Chicken, duck, goose. Chicken, meat, fish, mushroom broths. Pork, lamb (fat). veal. Liver, kidneys. mushrooms. Sausages, sausages, offal, sausages, ham, canned meat. If an allergy to cow's milk is detected, beef, veal and veal liver are excluded from the diet, becauseCow's milk protein has an antigenic affinity for beef tissue products. |
Drinks. Black tea (leaf, unsweetened, no flavorings and no fruit additives). Still drinking water. Juices (diluted with boiled water by 1/3) and compotes of dried fruits and fresh fruits and berries recommended above. |
Carbonated drinks. Kvass. Canned foods. Food additives (colors, preservatives, emulsifiers, flavorings). Chewing gum. |
In addition to a hypoallergenic diet, histamine-rich or histamine-releasing foods should be excluded from the diet of people suffering from food allergies.
Histamine-rich foods:Pickled herring, strawberries, wild strawberries, peanuts, beans, game, brewer's yeast.
Histamine release agents:Sauerkraut, spinach, pork liver, dry smoked sausages, fermented cheeses, mayonnaise, vinegar.
It is recommended to follow a hypoallergenic diet for at least 7-10 days. And if at the end of this period there are no noticeable improvements, you should consult a doctor and carry out a series of laboratory tests. They will help determine the true cause of the allergy and distinguish it from intolerance.
I hope this information will help you create comfortable and safe living conditions. Stay healthy and take care!