Hidden Dangers Around The Home: Which Pest Are Children Most Allergic To?

Household pests are really very annoying. But for some of us, they can be more than just a headache. If your child suffers from allergies or respiratory problems, having pests in your home can be very dangerous for their health.

If you or your children come into regular contact with pests in your home, you could even develop an allergic reaction to them. It’s a real concern that should be taken seriously by parents, schools and other child care services.

Symptoms of pest allergies can include things you might not suspect as being pest related, like having a runny nose and sneezing, or skin problems like rashes and itching. At the more frightening end of the spectrum, it can even mean going into anaphylactic shock. This is why it’s so important to keep pests to a minimum. It’s vital in keeping your family safe.

Here are some pests that can cause allergic reactions. 

Stinging Insects

If you have a stinging insect allergy, it becomes life threatening if you are stung. Many people who are allergic to stings carry an epi pen with them at all times just in case. Wasps and bees are the most common culprits when it comes to allergies.

To reduce the likelihood of being stung, there are a few steps you can take. When a stinging insect lands on you, brush them off gently rather than swatting at them. Avoid dressing your kids in bright coloured clothing or using strongly scented products when you are outside

Cockroaches

The faeces, saliva and dead bodies of cockroaches are what sparks the allergy to cockroaches. Youngsters in your household who suffer from asthma could experience an increase in symptoms if there is a cockroach infestation. Other symptoms include itching skin, throat, nose and eyes. Asthma sufferers may also have increased problems with breathing, because cockroaches are known to trigger asthma attacks.

Dust Mites

Proteins in droppings and dead bodies of dust mites trigger allergies in some people. Once these proteins enter the allergy sufferers body, it triggers the allergic reaction and inflames their nose, lungs and eyes.

Having long lasting and regular exposure to any of these allergy causing pests can cause serious health problems, not just for children, but for all members of the family. The very young, the elderly and those with poor health are at even greater risk. If left long enough, the physical reaction to pest allergies may cause damage to the body that will never be able to be fixed.

The most effective way to deal with pest allergies is to remove the pests from your environment. If you know there is an infestation in your home or garden, don’t tackle it yourself. Call in a professional pest control service, like Empire Pest Control, to help you straight away. Prevention is better than cure, and a pest expert will advise on the appropriate deterrents.

To treat allergies, you should consult your doctor. There are also a lot of over the counter options you can take as well, as long as the symptoms are mild and you have ruled out anything serious with a competent heath care professional. 

Disclosure:  This is a contributed post.