Cockroach allergens can increase asthma attacks in children much more than allergens from dust mites or pets.
Cockroach allergens can increase asthma attacks in children much more than allergens from dust mites or pets.
The research, funded by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, US, said that incidence of allergens from cockroaches in homes may however be specific to certain areas of the cities.The researchers had exposed children suffering from asthma to cockroach allergens and found out that there seems to be a significant increase in the frequency of number of days they suffered from coughs, wheezing spells with tightening of chests, nights of interrupted sleep, missed school days and disrupted play activities.
Cockroach allergens can come from several sources such as sewage, saliva, and exposed food particles or dead animals. Keeping the house clean, mopping the floors regularly, cleaning out garbage on a daily basis can keep the cockroach allergens under control at home. Other measures to control allergens from the roaches can be eating only in the dining or kitchen areas, keeping all the food items covered in airtight containers, repairing leaking faucets etc.
The research report is published in the current edition of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
