Getting control of allergies: 18 helpful tips

So, once the allergens are identified, how do you help your child avoid them?

Some things are obvious. If his symptoms get worse when he's around the neighbor's cat, then he shouldn't play with the cat. However, many allergens are not that easy to avoid.

Indoor Allergens

Dust mites, cockroaches, molds, and pet dander are some of the more common sources of indoor allergens. And even though you may feel you keep your house immaculately clean, these microscopic particles may be found in almost anyone's house. While there are elaborate, very time-consuming strategies that may be employed to limit allergens in the household, most parents find that following all the possible ones is tiring and discouraging.

Following are eight interventions that may help:

1. Limit the number of carpets on the floor. Indoor allergens are very difficult to remove from carpets, and even if successfully removed, they quickly return.
2. If you have a basement, keep your child out of it. Most basements are damp even if there is no standing water in it. This damp environment is a great place for mold. Using a dehumidifier to keep the humidity below 50 percent may be an option as well.
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