Hope Rollins has three kids.
"Twin boys that are 11, and my daughter is 14," said Rollins.
And all of them have severe allergies.
"My husband has hay fever, so my home is full of lots of sneezing and tissues every single morning," explained Rollins.
That's why she's done a few things to keep allergens away.
"Make sure your kids and adults as well take their shoes off as they're entering the door, or have a mud room available where they can drop their coats and their shoes," said Rollins.
Keeping the home clean and allergy free.
"We dust the floors pretty often," said Rollins. "We also don't have pets, even though they would love to have a cute little dog running around."
Plus they don't have any carpet.
"Carpeting is wonderful habitat for dustmites, and if you remove it, they don't grow very well on hard surfaces," said Dr. Lawrence Hennessey, an Allergist at Okemos Allergy Center. "They don't thrive."
You're bed is also a place that collects dust mites. That's why allergists recommend changing your sheets and washing those pillow cases at least once a week.
"Use dust mite proof mattress and pillow covers," said Dr. Hennessey. "Avoid feathers, feather pillows or down comforters because feathers are wonderful foods for dustmites."
And don't trust your vacuum to do all the work.
"They really aren't as efficient as people would hope," said Dr. Hennessey. "They do make some chemicals and sprays that are designed to kill dust mites to break down allergens."
But he wouldn't recommend using those either.
"Some of them may be irritating or cause issues for people with sensitive airways," Dr. Hennessey explained.
All things Rollins is ready for come allergy season.
"I am very excited," said Rollins. "I will take the sneeze, love the sun love the warm sun."
