Does your child or a child that you know suffer from asthma or allergies? Asthma attacks are triggered by things such as exercise, temperature changes and also environmental irritants. While there are some things you can’t control, other things you can. As a healthcare professional and an asthma sufferer myself (along with my kids), I try to avoid certain triggers to keep bad days at bay. Here are a few ways to help you and your family stay healthy at home.
1. Natural air freshener
Because a lot of us like to spray our homes with popular air fresheners that contain multiple chemicals, this can be quite irritating. So try this alternative:
All you need is an empty spray bottle, one cup of water, 2 tablespoons of vodka, and about 20 drops of an essential oil. (These are generally small 15mL bottles of potent but natural fragrances found in health food stores)
2. Perfume
I LOVE designer fragrances and parfum. At times, I still spray a little when I’m not around the kids and I want to feel “fancy”. If you want to try something a little different, try natural perfumes. These types of fragrances are making their way into mainstream popularity now. A lot of them are free of phthalates (which have been scientifically proven to cause health problems) and made with natural grain alcohol. A plus is that natural and essential oils work with your own body chemistry to become YOUR signature scent.
3. Cleaning your home
More and more, I am beginning to use environmentally-friendly cleaning products. This is for several reasons. I want my kids safe when they do their chores and and its a lot less irritating. I have even made several of my own cleaning solutions, thanks to Pinterest. I like to call it The Homemade Miracle Cleaner. Why? Because it works on virtually all stains and a great surface cleaner. We all know that Kids = Stains. So, here’s the 2 ingredient recipe for the natural cleaner: To a spray bottle, add 1 part Dawn dishwashing liquid (original blue kind) to 2 parts hydrogen peroxide.
4. Freshening up your home
Some of you may actually use the popular brands of household odor eliminators, like Febreze on your clothes, rugs and upholstery. Well, here’s a more natural alternative for refreshing your home. In a spray bottle, simply add 1/8 cup of fabric softener, 2 tablespoons Baking Soda, hot tap water. Voila!
Asthma can be triggered and exacerbated by exposure to many environmental factors. The American Academy of Pediatrics states: “Avoiding environmental allergens and irritants is one of the primary goals of good asthma management”. While I make no claims that these suggestions will provide the same results or evoke similar excitement, these have proven helpful for me and my family and hopefully the same for you! Not only are we striving to live healthier, we are “being green” in the process. Every little bit counts! Here’s to healthy living and a breath of fresh air for you and your family!
What do you do in your home to keep allergies and asthma under control?