Well-researched ways to help your children avoid allergies

Even though no parent likes to see their child deal with respiratory allergy symptoms like a runny nose, itchy eyes, wheezing or sneezing, the scenario is all too common.

Ten percent of children have respiratory allergies, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). If your child is one of them, you can take action to avoid his or her exposure to whatever it is that can trigger allergy. 

Here are some well researched tips:

1. Get rid of the dust
Your bedding is a favorite hiding place of dust mites and it can cause allergies. Wash your child's bedding each week in hot water — at least 130 degrees F — to kill off the dust mite allergen. Also use an airtight mattress cover that’s made of an allergen-proof material, the AAAAI suggests. Allergen-proof covers are also available.

2. Play indoors more instead

If your child has outdoor allergies, keep a close eye on the pollen and mold counts in your area. If your child must be outside, try to avoid peak pollen hours, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) recommends.
Let the kid rock sunglasses and a brimmed hat to reduce pollen in the eyes and hair.

3. Keep their stuffed toys clean

Those cute and cuddly, stuffed animals and other plush toys can also harbor dust mites. You can wash stuffed animals in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer just as you do the bedding, or you can put them in the freezer overniindoors4. Use wood instead of rugs.
Rugs and heavily draped curtains are another favorite hiding place for dust. If you want to use throw rugs, make sure they are washable, the AAAAI recommends. Or else, get rid of them.

4. Opt for air conditioning

Even when the temperature isn't so hot, consider shutting the windows and running the air conditioning at home and in the car. The best bet is using a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter as part of your air conditioning system — this will help to purge your entire home of mold, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) says.

5. Keep pets out of bedroom

If you have a pet but your child is allergic to animal fur, set a firm rule that the bedroom is off-limits.

As much as you can, keep pets from licking your child—there are allergens in the animal's saliva as well as urine and furl, the AAAAI notes.

6. Clean them up after playing outdoors

After a great time outdoors, ditch the pollen by removing your child's clothes and taking a bath. Also, put the clothes immediately into the washing machine to prevent pollen from spreading through your home. It's always a good idea to have your child shower and shampoo before bed to avoid getting pollen on the sheets and pillows, the AAFA advises.

7. Try drying clothes indoors

Letting laundry air dry on an , clothesline may seem pleasant, but not when your child has allergies. To prevent pollen, wash laundry at the right temperature setting and move it right into the clothes dryer at the warmest setting possible without shrinking. Hang them up indoors to dry.