A runny nose is only one of the many symptoms that may indicate a baby allergy. If your child has red, itchy eyes, rubs their nose often and when you wipe their nose the discharge is clear, these are other indicators of an allergy. Typically children do not show signs of outdoor allergies until the age of three. Though indoor pollutants such as mold and dust may affect children as young as six months. Here are some steps to help prevent baby allergies in the home.

Look for telltale signs of allergens in your baby

Observe

Watch when your baby experiences symptoms the most, excessive sneezing or fussiness because of itchy eyes, etc.  If they exhibit heightened symptoms while in their crib, the culprit may be dust mites in the crib bedding or dust or mold in the nursery.

Clean

A thorough cleaning may reduce allergens in a specific environment like the baby’s room. Dust everything, including normally unnoticeable areas like the blades on a ceiling fan, vents in the room and the tops of door sills. Also look for signs of mold, possibly around windows where moisture is getting in. Replace crib bedding with hypoallergenic mattresses and sheets.

Purify

Run an air purifier in the nursery. Check out air purifier reviews to find the best one for your needs. However, a HEPA air purifier is key for cleaning indoor air, capturing most airborne particles including allergens. You may also want to get one that has a carbon filter for odors, a nice feature for diaper changes.  Many air purifiers like the AeraMax Baby Air Purifiers have extra quiet performance so as not to disturb babies as they sleep.