Housecleaning, Asthma And Allergies

Whether it’s for spring cleaning, flu season or the coronavirus pandemic, cleaning product sales are on the rise. But new research suggests that deploying all those extra household disinfectants might be triggering asthma or allergy flare-ups.

Researchers recently surveyed adults with asthma. It found a large increase in respondents who said they used household disinfectants five or more times a week: 138% for disinfectant wipes, 121% for disinfectant sprays, 155% for bleach and water solution, and 89% for other cleaning liquids. The findings were published recently in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice.

"We became concerned with increased cleaning and disinfecting related to the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with people spending more time indoors may expose people with asthma to more environmental triggers for asthma symptoms," said study co-leader Kamal Eldeirawi, associate professor in the University of Illinois, Chicago, College of Nursing.

Can Cleaning Products Trigger Allergies Or Asthma?

“Yes, cleaning products can trigger allergies or asthma conditions, but typically not on an allergic basis,” said said Dennis E Rademaker, DO, Allergist at Franciscan Physician Network Family Wellness Center in Munster. “Usually these products have more of an irritant effect on the nose, eyes and airway, but their effect can be as severe as exposure to an allergen.”

However, the possibility of an allergy or asthma flare-up should not discourage extra cleaning during a pandemic or spring cleaning.

“It can be a very effective method of reducing allergens exposure. Particularly for patients who have year-round or indoor allergies,” Dr. Rademaker said.

The study authors suggested that increased use of household disinfectants could be affecting people with asthma, and they should talk to their health care providers about safer cleaning alternatives.

Cleaning product alternatives include vinegar, water and a drop of dish detergent, 70% alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide.

What Can Trigger Allergies?

“We typically categorize triggers into seasonal, perennial or year-round. Seasonal triggers include pollens which are mostly outdoors as well as molds and mold spores which can be indoors or outdoors. Exposure to these allergens usually occur on a seasonal basis spring through fall,” Dr. Rademaker said.

If you have an allergy, your immune system mistakes an otherwise harmless substance as an invader.

“Year-round allergens include dust mites, molds, animal danders such as cat and dog and some unusual allergens such as roach, mouse and feather. These exposures usually occur throughout the year and can cause chronic symptoms,” Dr. Rademaker said.

Can Spring Cleaning Help Allergies?

Spring cleaning can be very helpful to you and your family. Dr. Rademaker has suggestions on what to incorporate into the way you spring clean.

“It is helpful to ‘air out’ the house and pay attention to carpeting and floors to vacuum and clean properly,” Dr. Rademaker said.  “This will reduce exposure to dust mites, animal dander and mold spores. Changing your furnace filter will efficiently trap disturbed particles of allergens.”

“It is also a good time to yearly replace your pillows which can harbor significant amounts of dust mites. Thorough dusting can trap and remove allergen particles as well. Of course, mask wearing is essential to protect against sudden allergen exposure,” Dr. Rademaker said.

Additional reporting by HealthDay News