Safeguards for Children With Dust Allergies

Children with dust allergies are allergic to the microscopic insects known as dust mites that inhabit dust particles. Dust mites can exist in even the cleanest of homes; however, the more surfaces available to collect dust, the more severe your child's allergies will be. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, there's no way to remove or protect against dust mites completely, but taking certain precautions in your home and car can alleviate the symptoms of your child's dust allergy.

  1. Ditch Dust-Collecting Materials

    • Upholstery, cloth and carpeting all store dust mites, according to MedlinePlus. Ditch wall-to-wall carpeting in favor of hard floors, especially in areas where your child plays. Switch from slatted window blinds or heavy drapes to pull-down shades, which are easier to clean and collect less dust. Get rid of throw pillows on furniture as well, as these just add another place for dust to collect. Secure plastic covering over car seats or the booster seat where your child sits in the car.

    Maintain Bedding

    • Your child's covers, mattress and pillows can be a secret hotspot for dust mites. To reduce dust mites, wrap her mattress and box spring in dust mite-proof covers. Wash her pillows, sheets and blankets once a week in water at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit to successfully kill all the dust mites. Forgo decorative accessories like bed canopies and bed skirts, as these only collect more dust. Wash and dry beloved stuffed animals and security blankets in hot water as often as possible, especially since your child is likely to hold such items near her nose and mouth.

    Cool and Dry

    • Keep your home and car cool and dry to ward off dust mites. Dust mites do best at 75 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer with 70 to 80 percent humidity, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Place dehumidifiers throughout the house, and especially in your child's bedroom, and turn up the air conditioning when the temperature hits the low 70s. Install HEPA air filters in your little one's bedroom and vacuum with HEPA filters as well.

    Aggravating Actions

    • Avoid doing anything that could undo the safeguards you implement. Keep all pets out of your child's bedroom -- even a guinea pig or hamster can increase the dust mite rate, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Avoid cleaning and vacuuming when your child is home so he's not inhaling all the dust that stirs up -- remember that dust takes at least two hours to completely settle. Also, avoid projects that could stir up dust when your child is home, like rearranging the bookshelf or cleaning out the closet.

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