Contents
Things in the house that cause allergies
These items are found in almost every apartment. They do not harm someone in any way, while others undermine their health day after day.
There are more and more allergy sufferers among us. Doctors even say that children become them because of us, parents. And adults acquire this disease due to poor ecology and low-quality products. And even our home – our fortress – is not a fortress at all. For our health, it is sometimes just a prison. For example, here are a few things that often cause allergies.
Door handles, jewelry and water taps
Guess what unites these three objects, touching which it is easy to get rashes of varying severity on the skin – up to eczema? The reason is nickel, a metal often found in various alloys. In everyday life, nickel can be found in kitchen utensils, zippers, eyeglass frames, needles, belt buckles, and hair accessories. If you noticed a painful reaction of the body to nickel, exclude it if possible in the future and consult a doctor, then the intensity of the disease can be reduced.
The lotion, which is impregnated with cosmetic wipes, may contain synthetic preservatives, such as methylisothiazoline, which is toxic to the nervous system and causes an allergic reaction. Previously, you may not have known about the reaction of this substance when washing off detergents with water. And when using napkins, the entire composition is absorbed – as a result, rash, redness, itching are possible.
Plastics, including polyethylene, contain a chemical compound called PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which can cause allergies. But if plastic bags are easy to exchange for paper ones, then contact with plastic in the world around us cannot be avoided. Furniture, dishes, table lamps, computers and smartphones, vehicle seats, TV – the list of potentially dangerous items is endless.
Usually, irritation to this substance appears relatively soon after touching – within a couple of hours. Probable signs include coughing, sore throat, sneezing. If you cannot completely eliminate the risk of allergies, then you can at least minimize it. For example, replace plastic dishes with glass or porcelain.
The beauty industry lures customers with more and more comfortable and unusual novelties that make their hands well-groomed and beautiful. Did we think 20 years ago that nail extension technologies, gel polishes and intricate textures would be invented? Meanwhile, these are all developments of the chemical industry: in the compositions of glue, gel varnishes, acrylic nails, nail polish removers, there are completely chemical elements – methacrylate, phenyl ketone, butyl acetate, etc.
What can a manicure turn into? Dermatological allergies with blisters, swelling, peeling, respiratory – cough, sore throat, sneezing, tears in a stream. And from low-quality gel polish products, a chemical burn of nails can occur. In this case, you will literally have to grow your nails again.
One of the most common allergens is house dust mites. These organisms cannot be seen with the naked eye, but they release an allergen to which the body reacts sharply. Personal items such as a pillow, bed linen become the source of infection. In feather pillows, ticks feel especially comfortable and can double in number in a few months. In new apartments, ticks are not found if the source of infection is not brought there.
By the way, experts say that house dust is even more dangerous than street dust, despite the presence in the latter of carcinogens, heavy metals and other “delights” of city life.
Air freshener and deodorant
Air fresheners are usually used in closed, unventilated rooms, so ether particles easily enter the lungs along with oxygen. Sprays usually contain phthalic esters, which are cheap and unsafe.
True, scientists have expressed the opinion that phthalates are a weakly toxic substance, and if certain proportions are observed, then there will be nothing terrible for health. But phthalates are capable of accumulating in the body, causing chronic intoxication: allergies, diseases of the respiratory tract, liver, kidneys and other organs and systems. By the way, the presence of phthalates on the bottles is not always indicated, disguising it as a fragrance or perfume.
It will hardly be possible to get rid of phthalates completely: the industry is actively exploiting this chemical compound, producing not only air fresheners and decorative cosmetics, perfumes, but also paint, toys, PVC windows, carpets, pipes and much more.
The industry almost does not produce natural fabrics in their pure form, they are too impractical and inconvenient, and with the addition of artificial components, the quality of the material improves markedly. Synthetic fabrics include viscose, polyester, acrylic, lycra and others. They can leave contact dermatitis on the skin, irritation manifested by rashes, itching, redness and other discomfort.
This is not the most difficult type of allergy, and it is easy to replace the allergen with natural fabric. But what exactly can not be done is to ignore possible symptoms in the form of a rash and redness when in contact with synthetics.
They are printed on thermal paper, in the production of which bisphenol A is used. This substance is moderately hazardous in terms of the degree of effect on the body. Bisphenol is also used in the production of plastics, from which bottles for drinks, medical instruments, sports equipment and much more are made. Of course, in ordinary life, the amount of a substance harmful to health entering the body is negligible, but one must remember that it tends to accumulate. Therefore, it is absolutely useless to store packs of checks at home – throw them away and minimize potential harm to health.