Bedrooms are often considered the worst place of exposure to allergens. Never-before-seen study dissects allergen exposure in the homes of U.S. households.
It is the largest study ever conducted in the United States on the levels of indoor allergens in homes. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has indeed analyzed the dust collected in the homes of 7,000 American households. All this while analyzing the socio-demographic, regional and climatic factors associated with exposure to allergens.
Allergens are frequently found there and, with regard to bedding, it would be important to ventilate the bed every day and change the sheets frequently.
Bedding: a reservoir for allergens
Among the many homes analyzed, almost all had at least 1 allergen and 74.2% had between 3 and 6 allergens detected in them. Only 6.4% of homes had low allergens in their bedrooms, study published in The Journal Of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Bedrooms are often considered the worst place of exposure to allergens not only because of the time spent in bed: we consider that we spend on average 1/3 of our life in bed, but also because of the proximity of allergen reservoirs such as pillows to the sleeper’s breathing zone!
Animals and precariousness increase the risk
The study also shows that the high presence of allergens was most often associated with the presence of pets, pests and living in mobile homes, trailers, older homes, homes. rental, or in rural areas.
The relationship between exposure to allergens and the development of allergic sensitization is quite complex and still poorly understood. It is known, however, that indoor allergens can trigger and exacerbate asthma, and allergic symptoms in sensitized individuals. In non-allergic children, on the contrary, the presence of many allergens could play a role in educating part of the immune system.
The importance of good bedroom hygiene
Simple rules, however, make it possible to make your home and in particular your bedroom a healthy space. the Controlled Allergens Label For example, recommends airing the rooms in your house for one to two hours a day every day. Prohibiting smoking, choosing adequate heating with good humidification, avoiding particle board furniture, wall fabrics, drapes and double curtains, are also recommendations for avoiding allergens.
When it comes to bedding, it is important to air out your bed every day. Using a slatted base and changing your sheets very regularly are also techniques that allow you to avoid allergens.
In a 2017 study Philip Tierno, microbiologist and researcher at New York University, revealed that “sixteen varieties of microbes share our diaper”, he recommended changing his sheets every week and his bedding every 10 to 15 years !
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