Allergies and asthma are a major cause of illness and disability, affecting allergic Americans from infants to seniors. Because allergies are cumulative, building in allergic symptom severity with each successive allergen exposure, minimizing exposure to all allergens is vital for all allergic individuals. Fortunately, information about allergies and allergy control products can help allergic people to live normal lives without incurring permanent damage to lungs or risking death from an asthma attack or life-threatening food allergies.

Some common allergies include:

• Airborne Pollen Allergies-allergies and asthma symptoms triggered by trees, grass, plants and flowers.
• Dust Mite Allergies-allergies and asthma symptoms activated by microscopic bugs that live in carpets, upholstered furniture, bed linens, mattresses and box springs, animal dander and house dust.
• Pet Allergies-allergies and asthma symptoms triggered by animal dander, old skin scales.
• Mold Allergies-allergies and asthma symptoms set off by mold, mildew and fungi, inside and out.
• Food Allergies-allergies and asthma symptoms triggered by something eaten.
• Although any food can cause an allergy, life-threatening food allergies can be caused by allergic reactions to peanuts, shellfish, citrus and monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Allergy symptoms are caused by too much immunity. Everyone's system produces antibodies to fight infection. An allergic person's system produces an allergy antibody (IgE) in response to allergens. Allergens include substances in our environment such as pollen proteins. For an allergic individual, an allergy antibody is a fuse that ignites an allergy bomb-allergy cells that release histamine and other natural chemicals that cause allergic symptoms. Histamine can be released anywhere in the allergy-prone victim's body. Histamine released in the nose causes sneezing and a runny nose; in the lungs causes bronchial spasms or wheezing-asthma; in the skin causes itching or hives; in the stomach causes nausea. If histamine is released through the body, a life-threatening allergic reaction-anaphylaxis--can be produced causing death without immediate treatment. AllergyRelief.net is Your Best Resource for Allergy Prevention and Asthma Control.

Since avoiding allergens is the best solution for allergy and asthma sufferers, AllergyRelief.net offers these suggestions to make your home an allergen-free haven for the allergy and asthma sufferer:

Reduce your exposure to dust mite allergens:

• Remove carpets and keep upholstered furniture to a minimum.
• Encase your mattress, box springs and pillows in allergy-free, washable zippered encasings to control odors, dust, pollen, mold, animal dander, as well as some bacteria.
• Use an Air purifier in the bedroom of the allergy sufferer.
• Hang clothes in your closet and shut the door, or put them in dresser drawers.
• Wash all bedding with Allersearch Wash Detergent in hot water to reduce the dust mite population.
• Keep pets out of the bedroom; they are a popular feeding source for dust mite allergens.
• Cooler nighttime temperatures (between 68 and 72 degrees) promote better sleep for the allergic individual.

Reduce your exposure to house dust:

• Leave the dusting and vacuuming to someone without house dust allergies or dust mite allergies.
• If you must vacuum, wear a pollen mask to avoid allergens and use a Panasonic vacuum cleaner with an anti-allergen high-efficiency HEPA filter.
• Use a damp mop and damp cloth on floors, windowsills, under furniture, on window blind slats, bedsprings and other dust catchers.
• Keep pets and pet dander allergens out of the house. Your family's allergy-free health is more important than the habits of your pet.

Reduce your exposure to pollens:

• Educate yourself and your family about the pollen allergy season and the local pollen allergen timetable.
• Stay indoors during peak pollen allergy seasons.
• Keep windows and doors closed. "Fresh air" is not "fresh" for allergic individuals.
• Caulk and seal windows to stop pollen and dust infiltration.
• Bathe pets frequently and keep pets outdoors. Pets bring pollen inside on their fur and dust mite feast on pet dander.
• Replace regular filters on air conditioning system air returns.