Hypoallergenic - Avoid the Hype.

Hypoallergenic- adjective. Definition: non-allergy producing. A term applied to a preparation in which every possible care has been taken in formulation and production to ensure minimum instance of allergic reactions.
(Blakiston’s Medical Dictionary)

Think you’ve been hearing more about allergies lately? It’s no illusion; the overall incidence – whether of the classic runny-nose, itchy eyes rhinitis kind or of food allergies – having risen significantly in the past 30 years; with reliable asthma studies showing at least a 100 percent increase in the prevalence of asthma (an allergy-related disease). ¹

The rise in asthma and other allergies appears to be particularly high in such industrialized countries as England, Canada, Greenland, New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, and the United States. The main hypothesis for this is due to the increasing prevalence in industrialized countries of increased airborne pollutants, rising levels of indoor allergens due to tighter construction methods and poor ventilation.

The rise in pollutants, airborne and otherwise in our lives makes it that much more important to pay attention to the products in our homes and on our bodies. At The White Pebble we like to think of hypoallergenic as a side benefit of holistic, naturally fabricated products rather than as a feature to promote. When you choose to buy organic products, you have opted to keep allergy-causing chemicals out of your home; resulting in a more hypoallergenic lifestyle. In that way, we are touting the additional, and possibly overlooked, benefits of organic products.

The following suggestions can help you make your life more hypoallergenic:

* Reduce surfaces that can harbor dust and mold by eliminating carpets and fabric curtains; substitute stone or wood flooring and consider wooden blinds.

* Use a dehumidifier in your home to reduce or eliminate mold. When combined with the proper air filter, your dehumidifier will also reduce dust and pollen throughout your house. Consider air filters with HEPA and/or electrostatic filters to capture fine particles. Your home will also smell fresh and clean.

* For your bedding, use special, preferably organic fabric encasements on your mattress and pillows that can reduce or eliminate dust mite problems (one of the biggest “hidden” causes of allergies for people, and one of the most simple to abate).

* Since your skin is the largest and most absorbent organ in your body it’s very important to pay attention to what you put next to it. Start by choosing natural fabrics for your bedding and clothes, and remember that when you can also choose organically grown fabrics you’ve eliminated one more “layer” of potential allergens and irritants.

* Look for simple-to-install filters for your shower and washing machine that can remove chlorine and other harmful chemicals in your water. Also use environmentally friendly detergents as these tend to also be more hypoallergenic than chemical cleaners.

* Watch out for the health of infants and young children. Whenever possible, buy bedding and clothes made of organically-grown fabrics, like the ones available at The White Pebble (www.thewhitepebble.com).

* Be more aware of what you eat, especially if you have food allergies. We can all live more healthier lives by eating locally produced, organic foods.

* There are now even some options when traveling as some Hilton, Marriott, and Millenium hotels now offer hypoallergenic rooms at some of their properties and are planning on offering more as demand warrants. Depending on the property this can be anything from special encasements on mattresses and pillows to special environmentally friendly low VOC cleaning products to completely re-designed rooms.

* While pet choices are often limited for people with allergies, remember that dogs such as Poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs, Bichon Frise, and Wheaten Terriers are all known shed minimally and produce and little or no “dander.”

It is important to be informed about what you can do to minimize pollutants and allergens around you and your family. As an informed person, take care to understand the differences between various products and their touted benefits.

1.Dr. Robert Wood http://drrobertwood.com/food-allergy-epidemic.shtml

Tags: allergens, hypoallergenic, natural fabrics, organic clothing, organic cotton, organic products