Today is the Great American Smokeout – the day the American Cancer Society hopes smokers and their families make a plan to quit smoking for good. Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US. Not only is the smoker affected, but entire families can have health ramifications due to secondhand smoke.
Dust mites are a leading cause of allergies and allergy-related asthma, second only to pollen. And it’s no wonder. They’re everywhere. A single gram of dust can hold up to 19,000 mites. The dust mites’ feces, which contain allergenic proteins, then gets into bed sheets, pillows, mattresses, and teddy bears—making your home and bed an asthma nightmare.
The fall allergy season is here and for those of us with asthma, things are that much trickier. But by taking some simple precautions, you can make this season a lot more pleasant.
Unclean indoor air carries with it all sorts of asthma/allergy triggers such as dust mites (and their droppings), dead skin cells, fumes, mold, etc. that can be harmful to breathe in. Indoor air is important to keep fresh as most Americans spend around 90% of their time inside, especially during the winter months. By following these simple dos and don'ts, you'll be well on your way to healthier indoor breathing.
