For many people, a nightly eight hours of sleep can be an unfortunately difficult thing to come by. Concerns about work or school, noise from the neighbors and more can interrupt your sleep, leading to an exhausted and cranky next day. One factor you may not have considered when designing your perfect night’s rest is how allergies affect your sleep.
A study aimed at characterizing sleep disorders associated with respiratory allergies of 1786 participants found that the likelihood of sleep issues rose exponentially along with the severity of allergies. The most commonly observed sleep complaints were poor-quality sleep, snoring, frequent awakening and difficulty falling asleep.
Effective allergen avoidance can be a great way to catch your full eight hours a night. Your house is probably full of more allergens than you realize. From dust mites and mold to pet dander and pollen, allergens can hide in the smallest nooks and crannies. Take a look at a couple of our tips for reducing allergens in the home.
Dust and Vacuum
Dust mites love to hang out on wood floors, under the bed and in the carpeting. Sweeping and mopping the hardwood floors, vacuuming the carpet and dusting hard surfaces at least once a week will help reduce the amount of dust mites in your home.
Bathe Your Pets
Not only can pet dander exacerbate your allergies, but your furry friends may be carrying pollen or other hidden allergens into the home. After a day at Granada Park, give your pets a quick bath to wash away potential allergens. For extra protection, keep pets out of the bedroom to prevent allergens from getting on your carpeting or bedsheets.
Close Doors and Windows
Pollen and other airborne allergens can fly through an open window and into your home. During high pollen count days, keep your windows and doors shut and rely on indoor heating and cooling methods
Run Exhaust Fans
Approximately 10% of people have a mold allergy. Mold can grow anywhere in the home but is most common in the bathroom, kitchen and basement due to the high moisture content in those areas.
To help prevent mold from growing, run your bathroom fan during showers and for at least thirty minutes afterward. For the kitchen, run the exhaust fan whenever you’re cooking or when you notice moisture accumulating around the windows or appliances. For the basement, run a dehumidifier if the humidity level surpasses 50%
Reducing allergens in your home is an excellent way to prevent allergy symptoms from disrupting sleep. For more information on managing your allergies, contact Arizona Desert Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists today to make an appointment with one of our specialists.
