Woman's Day Interview

We are thrilled that Woman's Day interviewed us to find out our best "Dust Buster" tips. The interview appeared in the June 20 issue of Woman's Day.

Oat Bath for Sensitive Skin

If you feel like a soothing oat bath for itchy or sensitive skin, read on!
You'll need:
– a handful of rolled oats (not instant oats) 
– a clean knee-high stocking or muslin bag

Either tie to or place under the hot water tap. When the water runs through the oats, a nice milky bath is formed. You can then use the oat bag as a soap substitute to gently rub the skin.

Dust Mite Reduction Tips

Dust mites are tiny, can’t be seen with the naked eye and love warm, damp conditions. They feed on mould, skin flakes from humans and animals, cereals and crumbs. They live in carpets, soft furnishings, lounges and clothing, but beds are their prime habitat. It’s not the actual mite that’s the problem, but a substance in it’s droppings which can cause allergic reactions.

Dust mites are impossible to remove totally, although they can be reduced significantly. Eczema, asthma and allergic rhinitis (a runny nose) often improves dramatically when allergic individuals take reduction measures.

Following are some tips for dust mite reduction:

1 Dust mites thrive inside most mattresses and pillows because of the presence of skin flakes, the heat we generate during sleep and the moisture that we expel. Encasing your pillows, matress and doona in zippered dust mite covers will substantially reduce exposure to dust mite allergen, keeping the mite droppings and allergens inside the cover and out of contact with the human body. There are also bedding products being sold which are labelled as good for allergies. The fabrics and fillings used in these products are designed to minimise dust mites and moulds. Frequently wash and change bed linen (a weekly wash is recommended). Hot wash at 55-60 degrees to help kill dust mites.

2 Dust mites prefer warm, damp conditions. The preferred living conditions of the dust mite is at temperatures between 17 degrees and 23 degrees – the normal indoor temperature range in the majority of homes, schools and offices. The highest densities of dust mites occur in the humid summer months and the lowest density in the drier winter months. Reducing humidity in the home helps reduce dust mites, but it is important to remember that if the moisture levels in the air become too low, this can also dry out the skin. Air the bedroom and living room daily to reduce humidity.

3   If your baby/child has allergies, avoid placing a mobile above their bed. Mobiles hung above a cot or bed will gather dust which may fall on your child when the mobile moves.

4   Dust mites in school classrooms can often aggravate eczema. If your child is getting itchy and restless when sitting on the carpet, supplying a rubber yoga mat to sit on can help improve concentration and reduce eczema flare ups from dusty carpets.

5 If dust mite allergy is severe, removing carpet and rugs from the home (especially the bedroom of the allergic person) and replacing with tiles or wooden floors can help. Sunshine destroys dust mites, so where rugs can’t be avoided, hang them out regularly in the sun to air.

6 Keep clutter in the house to a minimum. Surfaces should be kept clear of toys, books, ornaments and wiped with a damp cloth.

7 Vacuum regularly (including under the bed, mattresses and lounges). When vacuuming, HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter vacuum cleaners are best as they reduce the allergens put back into the air from the vacuum cleaner. HEPA filters remove 99.97% of particles bigger than 0.3 micrometers in diameter and even a higher percentage of larger particles. HEPA filters are also used in air purifiers, reducing allergens such as dust, pollen and mould from the air in homes.

8 Avoid stuffed toys unless they are certified Asthma and Allergy Friendly. Stuffed toys are a natural hiding place for dust mites and other allergens which can be a major trigger for asthma and eczema. Placing toys in a plastic bag and freezing them overnight helps kill dust mites. They should then be washed before using again.

9 Dust mites love cushions and curtains, so if possible they should be avoided. If you need to use fabric curtains, choose ones which can be washed at 55-60 degrees celsius. When choosing soft furnishings such as a lounge, it is best to choose leather or one with removable, washable covers.

10 Dust mites thrive in undisturbed environments, such as where winter clothes are stored. When unpacking clothes which have been stored away, wash them and hang out in the sunlight before wearing. (Note: If you or your child has pollen allergies, then be careful when drying washing outside, especially if it is windy as pollen can be blown over the clothing). Where possible, hot wash the clothing at 55-60 degrees. I know that when I unpack my winter clothes, I have a huge sneezing fit!

Easter Cocoa Balls

It’s that time of the year again, when chocolate is at the forefront of everyone’s minds. For those of us who can’t eat dairy (myself included), there is still a way to satisfy those chocolate cravings. These cocoa balls are healthy, delicious, and the kids can even help you make them. They will keep up to four weeks refrigerated in an air-tight container. They also make a great lunch-box snack. Have a wonderful easter!

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups of whole raw almonds (or you can cheat like me and use 2 cups of almond meal)

20 fresh Medjool dates, pitted

2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract or seeds from 1 vanilla bean

2 tablespoons of pure cocoa powder 

2 tablespoons of hulled tahini

1/2 cup of desiccated coconut (for rolling)

METHOD:

Place the almonds in a food processor until roughly ground. Add dates and vanilla, then process until combined. Add the cocoa powder and tahini, then pulse until combined. Transfer to a large bowl and kneed by hand until the mixture binds together. Roll into bite-size balls and roll in coconut. 

Our New Animal Friends

We'd like to introduce our new animal friends at The Allergy Shop. Floppy Monkey, Baby Buddy Bear and Pastel Puppies are now available. These super-soft toys are certified Asthma Friendly and do not contain any fabrics or fillings know to aggravate asthma. The toy's quality and workmanship allows for the effective allergen and dust mite reduction process of freezing, washing and drying, while maintaining durability. It is recommended to repeat this process every four weeks.

3 metre rolls of Tubifast Bandage now available

Tubifast Bandage is now available in 3 metre rolls in the following sizes:

- Green (small and medium limbs)

- Blue (large limbs)

- Yellow (heads/children’s trunks)

The original 10 metre rolls are still also available and have the additional sizes of:

- Red (small limbs)

- Purple (adult trunks)

Tubifast Bandage is an eczema treatment used for wet wrapping and dry wrapping. The Tubifast 2-Way Stretch bandage covers the dressing/limb and gives it a light, even, non–constricting pressure.

Epaderm Cream is now available

Epaderm Cream is a 2-in-1 emollient and skin cleanser for all dry skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis. The light consistency makes it great for daytime use. It comes in a convenient pump pack which is easy to use and reduces the risk of cross contamination.