Q&A: Dr. Loubser answers commonly asked questions about Allergy-proofing your home

Loubser answers commonly asked questions about Allergy proofing your home

An estimated 20 to 25 percent of people have some form of respiratory allergy, and if you’re one of them, it’s likely you’ve always got a pack of antihistamines at the ready. But did you know that there are several environmental changes that we can make in order to keep the attacks at bay? How can we protect our homes against the most common allergens?

Leading allergen specialist Dr. Michael Loubser, Consultant Paediatrician, Immunologist/ Allergist answers frequently asked questions about allergy proofing your home.

1. What is a respiratory allergy?

This is the type of reaction that manifests because of a trigger in your environment. The symptoms include puffy eyes, itchiness, redness, a blocked or running nose, and itching in the mouth or ears. 

2. Which triggers are most common in the UAE?

The weather in the UAE means it is different from more temperate climates, in that we don’t have to deal with seasonal allergies. But what that does mean is most of the allergens in our environment are inside our homes.

3. Should I be concerned about molds in my home? How do I get rid of molds?

Due to the humid climate, we face a lot of indoor humidity which causes mould, as does the air conditioning that we use to combat the humidity. It’s almost always the case that poorly installed or maintained air conditioners are the source of a mould allergy. You can also develop mould if you have a water leak, or the damp proofing hasn’t been done properly. 

Treatment

Ideal humidity is around 45 to 55 percent, and if your AC is not working properly the levels can get up to 85 percent. If you’ve got a lot of humidity inside, I would recommend investing in a dehumidification unit, which will work to take some of the moisture out of the air. And even if your humidity levels are ok, the AC still needs to be cleaned regularly to make sure it’s not full of dust and that the drip trays don’t get blocked up. 

4. Can dust mite allergy cause asthma? Where do they come from?

A dust mite is a microscopic, eight-legged insect which is just 0.2 of a millimetre. They live in warm, humid environments, and when they’re in your bed there will be around a quarter of a million. But don’t worry it’s got nothing to do with how hygienic you are, it’s down to the climate we live in. Humans who are allergic to dust have adverse reactions to the bug’s bodies and faeces, rather than dust itself.  

Treatment

You can’t vacuum them out as they’re too small, so the best approach is to have a company come in to kill and remove them. A steam system is the best way to do so, before a high-pressure suction to remove the bodies. But what’s critical is you’ve got to get a mattress encasement put on afterwards. A high-quality dust mite cover should be breathable, not just a plastic sheet! The tightness of the weave should be so tight that dust mites’ can’t get through the air. Even the size of the needle that is used to stitch the zips in has to be standardised so that you don’t leave great big holes that dust mite can come through.  

5. How do I know if I’m allergic to cockroach dust? 

When we talk about someone being allergic to cockroaches, it is not the live ones we’re worried about. For every one cockroach you’ve ever seen, there’s probably a million others that have died outside. It’s the ones that have decomposed into dust that are the allergens. 

Treatment

When it comes to the removal of this, you obviously want to remove as much dust from your environment as possible. This is where air purifiers come in to suction out the floating particles from the air. You should also make sure to use a vacuum cleaner with either HEPA filters in them or water traps. 

6. Is there a long-term cure for allergies?

As a rule, it’s not a good idea to rely on medication to control your allergy. Instead, start by addressing the allergen triggers in your home environment. But remember that you want to clean your home, rather than sterilise it. It’s important to implement the use of technologies such as a dehumidifier, air purifier and mattress protector to safeguard yourself against attacks. And who are mono sensitised may receive immunotherapy. This is achieved by exposing the patient to very small but increasing doses of the allergen, either under the tongue or by injection. The process takes 2-3 years. You should always consult the advice of a professional allergy doctor before taking action. 

When my patients want to address the root cause of their allergens and put an end to the attacks, I refer them to Sani Allergy by Saniservice. As the GCC’s premier source of hypoallergenic products they have a range of high-grade equipment and expert services including:

  • Dehumidifiers
  • Air purifiers 
  • Mattress encasements 
  • AC sanitisation  
  • Dust mite/ bed bug control
  • Air Quality testing
  • Surface and air microbial testing

About Dr. Michael Loubser

Dr. Michael Loubser is a renowned immunologist and paediatrician in Dubai. After earning a degree in Medicine in South Africa, he went on to further his studies in the UK and Canada. He has held various positions within the GCC, including Head of Allergy and Immunology and Chief of Paediatrics. As a member of the European Society for Immune Deficiency and the Clinical Immunology Society, Dr Loubser is an expert in the field of allergens.

In 2013, Dr Loubser played a crucial role with Saniservice, – pioneers in the disinfection industry – to establish Sani Allergy. As a division of Saniservice, Sani Allergy specialises in high-grade hypoallergenic products aimed at alleviating allergens from the indoor environment. All Sani Allergy products face rigorous testing including going through a professional Simulation Chamber, before hitting the shelves. 

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How to Choose the Best Dehumidifier

If you’re looking for the best dehumidifier for your home or office, here are some things you should consider before even getting started.

But before that, you should know what each type of dehumidifier does and what is it that best suits your home. Knowing what is a dehumidifier and what your options are will help you make the right decision when buying one.

Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture in the air, preventing mold buildup that causes allergies. There are 3 main types of dehumidifier. These are:

  1. Refrigerant Dehumidifier
  2. Desiccant Dehumidifier
  3. Whole House Dehumidifier

Every type of dehumidifier has its own mechanical system of removing excess moisture in the air. In this article, we will discuss them one by one, including their advantages and disadvantages to identify the best dehumidifier for every specific need.

Refrigerant Dehumidifiers

This type of dehumidifier has the same mechanism as your air conditioning unit. The process involves cooling a metal plate where the moisture of the air condenses. The fan draws the air in, refrigerant cools it, and excess moisture comes in drips. Throughout this whole process, relative humidity is reduced to normal levels and the dehumidifier will automatically turn on when there is excess moisture,

However, this type of dehumidifier only works best at room temperature. It is not suitable for cooler indoor conditions. If the room where your dehumidifier will be placed has a commonly normal temperature,  then the best dehumidifier you can use is a refrigerant dehumidifier.

Desiccant Dehumidifiers

Meanwhile, a desiccant dehumidifier uses a desiccant (similar to silica gel) to absorb water from the air. The desiccant turns slowly like a wheel, through the incoming air, which absorbs moisture. 

During the process, the warm air passing through reactivates the desiccant, removing moisture in the air. This condensated water is collected via tanks and drained out in tubes. If you wish to have a compact and lighter machine than a refrigerant type, a desiccant is the best dehumidifier for you.

Apart from that, this type can work even with low temperatures.

Whole House Ventilation Dehumidifiers

Whole House type is the best dehumidifier that effectively  removes damp, mould and condensation indoors.  It is relatively cheaper to operate than other types of dehumidifiers and even runs quietly. It removes old, stale, air in your home, leaving your home fresher and moisture-free.

Saniallergy is the first Hypoallergenic Boutique Store in the Middle East, providing solutions that alleviate and prevent allergies – from the best dehumidifier, air purifiers, antibacterial disinfection light, to bed and pillow encasement.

Dehumidifiers: How Do They Work?

The levels of relative humidity in the air can affect your comfort and even affects how your ac units function. In the UAE, indoor relative humidity is one of the biggest problems residents face. This is why keeping a safe indoor humidity level using dehumidifiers is important.

 

But what is Indoor Relative Humidity?

 

The capacity of the air to hold water changes as the temperature changes. Indoor Relative humidity is the amount of water vapor present in air indoors. This is usually shown as a percentage of the amount needed for saturation at the same temperature. It is ideal to keep indoor humidity below 60 percent and keep a 30-60 relative humidity.

 

How does a dehumidifier work?

Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air, thus, regulating the humidity in the room. Having dehumidifiers in a room helps avoid dust mites, molds, and allergens. This is an effective way to curb allergic reactions especially in the UAE where a lot of people are suffering from asthma and allergic rhinitis.

 

Basically, dehumidifiers take moisture in a gas form from the air and remove it as liquid water. Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air. 

 

There are 4 different types of dehumidifiers:

  1. 1.Heat Pump Dehumidifier- Consists of a fan, heat pump, and heat exchange coils.
  2. Dehumidifying Ventilator- Uses an exhaust fan to expel air outside and a sensor.
  3. Chemical Absorbent or Desiccant Dehumidifier- Has hydrophilic materials like silica gel. 
  4. Homemade Dehumidifier –Which are made from charcoal or a special kind of salt.

However, there are only two methods by which dehumidifiers work.

Refrigeration dehumidifiers are standard types of dehumidifier because they are simple to use and effective in removing excess moisture in the air.

Meanwhile, Desiccant or Absorption dehumidifiers use a different method of dehumidification which gets rid of excess moisture by squeezing or mopping it out of the air,

Indoor air dehumidifiers are just like air conditioning units. A fan draws moist air inside the dehumidifier, then this air condenses on the coils.

Here’s a simple illustration explaining the process of dehumidification.

 

Source: https://learnmetrics.com/best-whole-house-dehumidifiers/ 

Dehumidifiers have a drip pan or a bucket for collecting and easy disposal of condensate, as well as a pump for drainage. The cooled air which passed by the refrigerant) slightly heats the air before it is released back into the room. This air attracts moisture and regulates the indoor relative humidity level.

Saniallergy is the first Hypoallergenic Boutique Store in the Middle East, providing solutions that alleviate and prevent allergies – from dehumidifiers, air purifiers, antibacterial disinfection light, to bed and pillow encasement.

Allergy in the United Arab Emirates

Among the situations is when you’ve got a great bed. however, it’s too firm and you need to soften this up. Moreover, puffy eyes aren’t nearly discomfort because eyes puffy problem is linked to health issues too. Heading out in sunlight ought to be strictly avoided to be able to stop more color changes. A Busy individuals who don’t have the opportunity to reapply makeup. Not just that, but it makes you feel more sluggish and not as inclined to want to work out. Some are easy and others somewhat difficult. To put it differently, there’s an opportunity the antibodies she received might not do the job.

Many cancers are due to overexpression of cellular receptors or protein solutions. Obesity and inactivity alone is not sufficient to cause type two diabetes. Asthma can limit one’s capacity to acquire enough exercise and do things they want and will need to do. Allergy triggers should be recognized and avoided if at all possible. A banana allergy is not too common but it can nevertheless cause a good deal of issues. In the event the allergy has progressed then it may be better to select the medication in the shape of a pill. If you are afflicted with a mango allergy then you are going to locate a lot of restrictions in your dining choices.

The majority of the rooms supply a captivating view over the city. The hotel breakfast has lots of safe choices. Passover meals cannot be guaranteed. Processed foods have a lot of chemicals and preservatives inside them. Foods to Avoid Food has an important role in regards to getting a wonderful skin. Kosher meals are ready to comply with Jewish dietary requirements.

While the quantity of Americans with a food allergy may appear small, it’s the increase that is very alarming. The range of kosher goods in U.S. supermarkets exceeds 125,000. Additional it might also be extended to incorporate an internet address for an archive of further info about the standards. Interestingly, it’s tough to locate decent info on the topic that includes solid science. New research suggests that gluten alone might not be accountable for the symptoms created by the condition currently referred to as gluten sensitivity. There are only a few studies evaluating the price of asthma in UAE.

The complications reported are extremely low. ETIOLOGY OF THE DISEASE A blend of genetic and environmental factors play a part in the growth of schizophrenia. The majority of the symptoms involve rashes or hives on the skin that can lead to a wonderful deal of discomfort. You will typically be in a position to manage the indicators of allergy with the aid of over the counter medications. The rash is normally itchy and at times also bleeds. If you tend toward getting skin rashes then a cream may be the very best choice for you.

A Holistic Approach You must locate a doctor who opts for a holistic approach in regards to treating Rosacea rather than pushing you towards a particular therapy. You hope your doctor is a good-enough Sherlock Holmes, but sometimes it is extremely challenging to generate a diagnosis. You need to go to a doctor to be able to get to the root of your problem. Remember you should always visit a doctor in case your symptoms are severe. Doctors rarely feel that a mango allergy is quite a significant condition. The physician will prescribe certain tests to be able to learn whether you are really allergic to cinnamon or not. Some patients may develop fever after a number of days.

The process is essentially the exact same, though. You might also have allergy tests. Specific allergy testing could be critical.

The region away from the seed sequence of miRNA is usually not too complementary to the target mRNA, or so the target mRNA is brought to a distinctive place in the cell where it’s degraded. A standard array of proprietary brands of baby meals are offered on Emirates flights. Cosmetic industries proactively offer better benefits for individuals who need to boost their eyes besides the cosmetics for the eyes. A good deal of food businesses have jumped on the gluten-free bandwagon as a way to profit from gluten-free products. As health insurance is anticipated to cover the expense of consultations and eventually the bulk of OTC medication across the full nation, growth will be stable as prices are maintained. On account of the realities of our healthcare system, thus, it is essential that one has health insurance policy coverage.

Since chemicals are involved with the production of the toppers, it’s imperative you work with a reliable company which you’re sure doesn’t utilize harmful chemicals that may be hazardous to you. All neighborhood water needs to be considered contaminated. Ensure you use drinking water if you have a tendency to swallow while gargling. If you’re asthmatic, excessive moisture in your house will tend to create the condition worse.

Dehumidifier is Simple Device Used For Drawing Out Excess Humidity From The Air

There are various kinds of Dehumidifiers are offered in market. It is essential that you maintain your dehumidifier clean or it will not operate properly for you. Dehumidifiers play a significant function in doing the needful. They are an excellent way of making the conditions in your home more comfortable and healthy. Well, a dehumidifier with a humidistat will be able to help you keep humidity constant within the best variety.

Dehumidifiers are quite important in our life. It is a household appliance that will reduce the amount of humidity in air to raise the air quality. To the contrary, a dehumidifier shouldn’t be mistaken for an air purifier. In addition, there are whole house dehumidifiers which may be connected to your ac system.

Purchasing a dehumidifier can help restore your living area, which makes it a much healthier environment for your house or workplace. Dehumidifiers can be a small heavy. Some of the best portable dehumidifiers on the market nowadays are created by legendary appliance maker Meaco.

A dehumidifier is a great approach to control the humidity levels in your residence. It is just another household appliance that is used to reduce the level of humidity inside a room for health reasons. It will keep the area dry and your photos and documents will not be ruined.9. Dehumidifiers can vary from a couple hundred dollars to more than a thousand dollars based on the brand and capability. They offer a very important service for your home. You will find a lot of unique dehumidifiers on the marketplace.

Dehumidifiers are generally household appliances that are utilised to decrease the degree of humidity in air. They remove excess moisture from the air, improving the comfort and health of your home. They remove some of the moisture from damp air. Dehumidifiers The dehumidifier is currently becoming increasingly more essential. It is one equipment that can solve the issue. Dehumidifiers are the devices which could arrive in very very handy when you have areas or spaces that are burdened with humidity. You can discover the best dehumidifier to get for your requirements.

A dehumidifier takes moisture from the air by condensing it on a cold surface. It is used to remove extra moisture from the air. It will thus enhance the process of perspiration as it will leave the air relatively drier. It may be an essential part of equipment in your residence. Dehumidifiers are perfect for removing surplus humidity in a home temporarily. What you need are the business dehumidifiers that are tougher and heavy duty in comparison with the residential dehumidifier.

A dehumidifier will tackle the issue in its root. It is a simple device used for drawing out excess humidity from the air. It consists of a number of hot and cold coils which are involved in the process of dehumidification. It is not a device that you can use all around the year and in every season. Dehumidifiers are an easy, cost-effective means to get rid of extra moisture from the air. In general, it can readily be said that choosing the very best dehumidifier is about checking its few most important things.

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