Controlling Allergen Exposure In The Home

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Controlling Allergen Exposure In The Home (NAPSA)—There may be no place like home, but for more than 37 million Americans who suffer from allergies, there’s no place for allergens in the home. Indoor allergens, such as dust mites, mold and pet dander, are more common than people maythink. In fact, at any given time, 80 percent of people in the U.S. are exposed to dust mites, and 60 percent are exposed to cat or dog dander. To help prevent bothersome allergy symptoms, such as nasal congestion, a runny, itchy nose and sneezing, it may be necessary to drag the mop and dustpan out of the closet. “Many people put a great deal of time and energy into making their house a comfortable place to live,” said Linda Cobb, host of the television series “Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean.” “But as an allergy sufferer, I know that even the comfi- est couch or prettiest table settings can’t distract from the discomfort caused by allergy symptoms.” This Old House While the entire houseis susceptible to allergens, certain rooms may be hot spots for the culprits. For example, more than Cleaning Up Your Act Investin allergen-protective covers for mattresses, boxsprings and pillows Wash your sheets weeklyin hot water—at least 130 degrees F—to kill dust mites Vacuum regularly using a machine with an air filter and bags thatsealin dust, minimizing allergens Keep bathroomswell-ventilated and wash towels regularly to prevent mold growth e Preventpet dander from spreading by keeping dogsand cats off furniture Visit a doctor for proper diagnosis of yourallergies andto discuss treatment options Check out nasal-allergies.com to learn more aboutindoorallergies @ 1 million dust mites live in the average bed—they thrive in pil- lows, mattresses and comforters. The bathroom is also a danger zone, because moisture from the shower and damp towels creates the ideal environment for mold growth. Thorough cleaning helps rid a homeof allergens by creating an unwelcoming atmosphere for these unwanted guests. Treating Your Allergies Even for the most meticulous cleaner, it’s impossible to remove all allergens from the home. Cobb recommendsvisiting a doctor, who can prescribe an appropriate treatment if you continue to expe- rience symptoms. Nasal-inhaled steroids, like NASONEX (mome- tasone furoate monohydrate) Nasal Spray, 50 meg (calculated on the anhydrousbasis), are a recommended first-line treatment when nasal congestion is the primary allergy symptom. “Nasal congestion is often the most bothersome symptom for nasalallergy sufferers, and nasalinhaled steroids like NASONEX are an effective way to treat it,” said Dr. Matthew Clarke, a board-cer- tified family and occupational medicine physician in private practice in New YorkCity. “With a few simple cleaning tips and a visit to a doctor, it can be easy to control allergies—and appreciate your shiny floors and windows, too,” said Cobb. NASONEX is a nasal-inhaled steroid related to cortisol, a hormone produced naturally by the body, and when used as directed, is safe, nonsedating and not addictive. NASONEX reduces nasal congestion caused by an allergic reaction. NASONEX providesrelief from symptomsof seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, including nasal congestion, sneezing and an itchy, runny nose. Side effects were generally mild and included headache, viral infection, sore throat, nosebleeds and coughing. Visit http://www.nasonex.com for more infor- mation on preventing and treating seasonal nasalallergies. For additional important safety information, full prescribing information is available at http://www.spfiles.com/pinasonex.pdf.

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