Can You Get Hives from Dust?
Hives (technically urticaria) are raised, itchy bumps on the skin. They can last a few hours or linger for days. No matter how long they last, they can make you miserable.
The cause of hives can be elusive to pin down. They are the result of an allergic reaction. Can you get hives from dust? Yes, if the dust contains allergens you can get hives from dust. Here’s why.
What’s in Dust
Dust is just tiny, fine particles of stuff. That stuff can be anything. Indoors, dust is made up of textile fibers, shed bits of human and pet skin, hair, fur, food crumbs, feces from cockroaches dust mites and other indoor pests, pollen and soil. It can also contain small bits of paper, road dust and dead dust mite particles.
Dust is disgusting. It is a microcosm of our environment, reduced to a fine powder. If you are allergic to one or more of the components of the dust in your house it can cause hives, watery eyes, sneezing, wheezing coughing or a stuffy or runny nose.
Dust can make you miserable.
Protecting Yourself from Dust
The best way to protect yourself from dust is to prevent it. Keep road dust out by closing doors and windows. Minimize pet allergens in dust by keeping pets outdoors.
You can reduce the amount of textile fibers in dust by removing carpeting and rugs and replacing fabric upholstered furniture with wood and leather furniture.
If you have throws and blankets, wash them frequently to remove loose fibers and shed skin from people and pets. If you can’t replace furniture, carpets or rugs, spray them frequently with denaturing sprays like ADMS antiallergen spray. These sprays break down the allergens in the dust without staining or adding any fragrance to the air.
To keep dust mites and dust mite feces out of your mattress and pillows you should protect them with special dust mite proof covers. Wash sheets every 7 days in hot water to get rid of the dust there.
Vacuum and dust at least once a week. Use a HEPA filtered vacuum and wear a mask that prevents against dust. Dust with damp rags to prevent particles from becoming airborne and settling again.
Run HEPA filtered air cleaners to reduce the amount of dust floating in the air.
Easing the Misery of Hives
If you get hives from dust, don’t scratch. It’s hard not to scratch, but you can injure the skin and risk infection from MRSA or impetigo.
Oral antihistamines can reduce the itch and swelling from hives. Soaks in Epsom salt or colloidal oatmeal baths can soothe hives. Always soak in warm or cool water and pat skin dry, don’t rub skin with a towel.
Calamine lotion or aloe gel can also easy the misery of hives. Don’t use any topical solution with an antihistamine. These can cause allergic reactions that will just make the hives worse.
Till next time
Cheryl
P.S. Allergy elimination is about eliminating the allergy-causing substance in your home the best you can. To learn more please click here to download your free copy of" You Can Do It! Allergy Free Living.