Many times, those of us who are allergy sufferers will have to give up some home comfort in order to breathe well. If this is the case, try to substitute one comfort for another.
If you are allergic to fresh flowers, for example, try silk ones or shells or figurines or something else to brighten up your home. Use paintings of flowers. Keep potted flowers by your door or on your patio or deck so that you can see them from inside. Note that you will need to keep even silk flowers well dusted.
If you cannot have carpet and you like carpet, you might be able to use a flat rug (not plush) on a hardwood or tile floor.
If you react badly to potted plants, try one that grows on air or water.
If you are allergic to one type of pet, be flexible. You might be able to have another type. Or, you might be able to have an outdoor pet if you give it proper shelter.
If book dust bothers you, there's always Kindle or NookBook.
Yes, I know that the substitutes aren't as fun as the originals, but they can help make up for the loss of a home comfort.
I'd love to hear any substitutes you have found.
Today's tip...Check dresser scarves and other coverings that might sit for some time on tables. These are big dust catchers, and they also hide dust underneath them. They should be washed frequently. Likewise, check kitchen throw rugs and outdoor welcome mats.
An extra incentive to cut down on dust inside your home -- In her book on skin care, Chizu Saeki says that dust can dull the skin. She is speaking of removing dust on the skin through proper skin care, but it couldn't hurt to keep the overall dust count of the house down as well.Remember, when it comes to dust and allergies, it's not the dust itself that usually irritates our nasal passages and causes respiratory allergies. It's more often the dust mites that feed on dust that bother us. Practically, though, removing dust cuts down on the mite's food supply and makes it harder for them to live and multiply in our homes.If you are highly allergic to house dust and there is no one else in the family who can dust and vacuum for you, you might find someone who would like to earn a little extra by doing a thorough dusting and vacuuming for you once a month. If you can find someone, perhaps a student, to help out periodically, you might be better able to handle daily dustings. Likewise, see if a friend will help you when it's time to dust books, clean out the attic, etc., or pay someone. Again, if you seek help for big projects, you might be able to handle smaller ones. When making a family chore chart, assign non-allergic family members to the dustier chores. Enjoy!
