Epidermoid Avoidance
Epidermoid avoidance or prevention, involves removing or decreasing exposure to the symptom’s trigger in the environment around you. If one is allergic to dust mites, we often recommend pillow and/or mattress covers that are impermeable to dust mite antigen. Common known allergy triggers include: pollen, mold, dust mites and animal dander.
Epidermoid Avoidance Overview
Epidermoids are everywhere. The most important thing that an allergic person can do is practice epidermoid avoidance and this will help relieve most allergy symptoms.
Epidermoid Avoidance for Animal Dander
Horse Hair
Allergic people should practice epidermoid avoidance for horsehair. Avoid contact with horses and stables. Saddles, bridles and horse blankets should be excluded from the home. Horsehair can be contacted through its use in mattresses, hairbrushes, toothbrushes and in furniture.
Cow Hair
Cow hair can be found in rug pads, Chenille carpets, Chinese and Indian rugs and toy animals.
Feathers
Pillows are the most common source of feathers in the home. The best pillows to use are polyester or foam. Feather pillows should not be used by an allergic person.
Wool
Wool can be an allergen and an irritant to an allergic person’s airway at the same time. Practice epidermoid avoidance with coarse sweaters and sheepskin coats. Do not use woolen blankets or woolen rugs; especially in the bedroom.
Rabbit Hair
Rabbit hair is used in fur coats, lining for gloves and slippers, toy animals and stuffing for mattresses, pillows and quilts. Allergic people should avoid fur.
House-Pet Epidermoid Avoidance
Cat Hair
Cat hair is used in certain inexpensive furs, gloves and linings of slippers and coats. These may also be a source of allergic symptoms. Processed furs are less likely to cause allergies than exposure to cat hair itself. Washing a cat regularly does decrease the allergen load in the home.
Dog Hair
Even if you are not allergic to dogs, caution is advised if decided to have a dog in the house. There is no evidence that a Chihuahua, Poodle or any other breed of dog is better tolerated by a person allergic to dogs. Washing a dog regularly does decrease the allergen load in the home.