Four things in your house that could be making you ill
If you haven't been feeling 100% and you don't know why, it might be worth having a look for things in your home that you could be allergic to.
A number of common things in your house could be making you feel not quite right, including certain cleaning products and mould.
Alastair Lockwood, an eye health specialist and ophthalmologist at Feel Good Contacts, has listed several irritants that could be impacting your health and what you can do about them.
Household products
There are a number of products that could trigger allergies, including cleaning and beauty products.
"Firstly, avoid using any products that may provoke your allergies, harsh cleaning products or even cosmetics," Alastair suggests. "Did you know that eye allergies can be caused by certain beauty products, makeup, and eye drops? Eye brighteners for cosmetic purposes and artificial tears to help with dry eyes can cause irritations."
He advises that you "test products" and "read product labels" before committing to them.
Dust mites
Dust mites are one of the most common triggers of allergies, so it might be a good idea to try to keep your house dust-mite-free.
"If you're sensitive to dust mites then there are many measures that you can take to keep these pests at bay but it is impossible to completely clear a house of dust mites," Alastair says. "Hard wood floors are easier to rid dust then carpets. For hard wood floors use a damp mop rather than dry dusting as this will be more effective in limiting exposure. If removing a carpeted floor is not possible, then it's important to vacuum the carpet regularly."
Mould
Mould, which is known to produce allergens, can often be found if you have damp areas in your home.
"If mould is an irritant then you can get rid of it in the home by minimising damp and keeping areas where mould may appear extra clean," the expert explains. "Investing in a HEPA filter for your air conditioner can help to trap any mould spores that may irritate your eyes. You can also purchase air purifiers with an allergy trapping filter for your heating/cooling system."
Pets
If you are a pet owner struggling with symptoms such as itchy eyes and a runny nose, you might be allergic to your four-legged friend.
"If your cat, dog or hamster is causing you allergies and re-homing your pet is not an option then confine your pet to certain parts of the house and do not allow them in the bedroom so that you are not exposed to pet dander while you sleep," Alastair recommends. "If possible, remove carpets and rugs where your pet is kept. Replace these carpeted floors with a hard floor; these are easier to keep free from pet dander."
