Allergy UK launch Stamp Out Damp campaign

When struggling to find the root to your eczema woes, or any allergy for that matter, perhaps one of the most frustrating responses a person can hear is that the cause is dust-mites. An answer that promptly leads to the question, what the heck can I do about that? And rightly so as the average bed will contain 100 000 – 10 million dust-mites so, aside from hoovering the bed before you sleep every night, there’s very little you can do to deter those pesky little critters, who are unfortunately just part of day to day life.

Well national charity, Allergy UK has now launched their campaign, Stamp Out Damp, in a bid to raise awareness for allergies that are provoked by house or mould in the home – conditions in which dust-mites thrive.

The campaign is part of Indoor Allergy Week (11^th – 17^th), during which the charity will be issuing advice on indoor allergies, as this time of year sees the highest levels of people suffering from allergies to mould.

Those already suffering from atopic eczema, asthma and rhinitis could have the most severe reactions to mould in the home and people living in damp conditions, such as those who are renting, are more at risk.

A recent Yougov survey showed 35% of renting families have a problem with damp in their homes and Allergy UK believe that the UK’s student population, living in older university housing could be at higher risk too.

Kirsty Ashman, 22, had to leave university after having 15 hospital admissions in two years due to allergic reactions.  She said, “My health has suffered so much due to indoor allergens and there is very little information out there about avoiding them. Last autumn and winter I spent 60 per cent of the time in hospital because of my allergies.”

Maureen Jenkins, Director of Clinical Services at Allergy UK, said, “The impact of mould in the home is all too often underestimated. For those suffering symptoms, it is important to visit your GP who can refer to an allergy specialist to gain an accurate diagnosis and see whether you are reacting to an indoor allergen.”

Reactions to mould spores, house dust mite excrement or pets are all indoor allergies and mould will also provide additional food for house dust mites.