A study conducted by a team from the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University, revealed that pest allergens (mouse and cockroach) can impact children with asthma. According to the study, Anna B.Fishbein, MD, MSci and her team evaluated 711 asthma patients. The team accounted for other contributing factors such as obesity, poverty, and smoking during pregnancy, in search of data relevant to cockroach or mouse sensitization.
In a recent article about the study, Fishbein said the team found that children with asthma, who were also allergic to pest allergens, were at greater risk of experiencing more daily problems from their asthma.
The study found that exposure is greater to families living in inner cities where pests are more prevalent. Other similar studies show that in some countries, one in four children living in urban areas is affected by asthma. Inner cities provide a unique setting for allergens because of the environmental conditions that exist.
The allergens produced by mice and cockroaches is often stirred into the air from everyday household cleaning. Activities like dusting or vacuuming stir up the allergens moving them from the floor to fabric cushions, or beds and other furniture. Inhaling the allergens is what causes coughing and wheezing in young children.
How can these allergens be eliminated?
Cockroaches especially are attracted to dark, moist areas. Reduce the humidity in your home to deter new nests.
Carpeting gives the allergens something to cling to and makes it hard to remove allergens, even with vacuuming. If changing the flooring to a smooth hard surface isn’t possible, consider increasing the number of times you vacuum every week.
Items like curtains, bedding, and fabric-covered furniture give the allergens a nice place to land, which makes it easy for people to breath in the allergens. To combat these problem areas, consider switching to blinds or an alternate window covering. Wash bedding every week in hot water, and vacuum fabric-covered furniture if you aren’t able to remove it all together.
