ALLERGIES

WHAT IS AN ALLERGY :

An allergic reaction happens when a persons immune system overreacts to a substance. It is an adverse reaction caused by hypersensitivity to a substance.

      ALLERGENS :

        *   Substances called allergens are responsible for causing allergic reactions.

        *   Most allergens contain a protein.

        *   Common allergens include dust-mites and mould's.

If a person has an allergy, their body thinks the allergen is harmful and produces a special anti-body to attack the allergens. This leads to other cells in the body releasing chemicals, this then causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

             PREVENTING CONTACT WITH THE ALLERGEN,

                                            PREVENTS THE SYMPTOMS FROM OCCURING.
 

                              DUST-MITES

 Dust-mites cause major health preblems. They are recognised as    being the leading cause of Asthma, Hay-Fever and Eczema. Besides these main allergies, the Dust-Mite can be the cause of many other ailments, including, Bronchitis, Sinus Problems, Fatigue, Chronic Dermatitis, Skin Rashes, Itchy Skin or Eyes, Puffy Eyes, Headaches,Coughing, Sneezing and even Depression.

      ASTHMA

Dust-mites are recognised as the leading cause of Asthma. 470,000 adults and children in Ireland suffer from Asthma. Asthma can start at any time in your life, although, it normally begins in childhood. Typical Asthma symptoms are : Wheezing, Breathlessness, Coughing, Chest Tightness, Frequent Yawning, Frequent Colds and Chest Infections.

                                          HAY-FEVER

This is a good example of how Dust-Mites can cause and trigger Chronic Allergic Disease. Inital contact with the Dust-Mite droppings, produce annoying symptoms, Sneezing or a constant Runny Nose. Further exposure can lead to a permenently Stuffy of Bunged Up Nose and Loss Of Smell.

                                ECZEMA

Dust-Mites are unlikely to be the main cause of Eczema but Eczema can be made worse by the Dust-Mite Allergen.

                  THE DUST-MITE

   ( Dermatophhagoides Pteronyssinus )

YOU ARE NOW LOOKING AT ONE OF THE MOST

UNDERESTIMATED LITTLE BUG'S IN THE WORLD.

The Dust-Mite population has increased hugely over

the last ten years. The increased capacity of people

to keep their homes warm and cozy, together with the

general climate becoming warmer has created the perfect conditions for Dust-Mites to multiply. This by the way, is what they do best.

It is no coinsidence that an increase in allergy suffers has also happened during this same period. Asthma now effects 470,000 people in Ireland. We are nou forth in the world league table for Asthma suffers.

                                             SOME DUST-MITE FACTS

* Dust-Mites can cause major health problems.

* You cannot see them with the naked eye. 1000 of them can fit on the head of a pin.

* Dust-Mites are related to Ticks and Spiders.

* Their favourite place to live is in the mattress and pillows of your bed.

* A female Dust-Mite can lay as many as 300 eggs over its 170 day life cycle.

* Dust-Mites produce about 20 waste droppings a day. 200 times its own body weight over     its life span.

* 10% of the weight of an average pillow can be made up of dead Dust-Mites.

* A Dust-Mite gains nourishment from its own waste droppings and will eat them several times over.

* Humans are very kind to Dust-Mites. Their favourite food is dead skin and we shed 10,000 million scales of it every day for them to feast upon.

* And to wash it down, we supply them with ample amounts of our sweat every night.

* The Dust-Mites waste droppings and decaying feces contain a protien which allergy suffers are allergic to.

* Bed clothes should be washed at a temperture of 60 degrees or more for at least one hour to kill Dust-Mites.

* Freezing bed clothes can also kill Dust-Mites.

* WHEN WE CARRY OUT OUR SERVICE AT YOUR HOME THEY ALL DIE.

                    THE IRISH BED HYGIENE COMPANY