Untitled Document

Home > Clean your way to a healthier home

June 2006 Articles

Asthma: Jackie and Jerome control it, and so can you

Clean your way to a healthier home

Get peace of mind with a health care budget

Clean your way to a healthier home

Allergies are annoying, uncomfortable, and can lead to complications like sinusitis. They're expensive, too. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, doctor's visit and medicine costs due to allergic rhinitis — also known as hay fever — add up to $3.4 billion a year. So it's smart to reduce your exposure to the leading causes of indoor allergies:

Dust mites — visible only through a microscope, these creatures live in household dust and leave droppings that cause allergies
Pets — allergens reside in small protein cells from an animal's saliva, urine, and dead skin cells (known as dander) ... not the animal's fur
Mold — fungus tends to grow in damp areas like bathrooms, basements, and closets

While you may not be able to eliminate allergens in your home altogether, you can limit their impact on your health. These tips are especially important for bedrooms, where adults and children spend the most time.

Tip 1: Give your house a clean sweep

Tip 2: Do some preventive maintenance

Tip 3: Invest in items that keep your house cleaner

Tip 4: Use MyHumana as your online Allergy Guide

Bottom line:

You may not be able to eliminate allergens in your home completely — but it doesn't take much time or money to limit their impact on your health.

Additional resources:

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

MyHumana — Asthma and Allergy Center