In case your baby has allergies, the first thing to consider is how to avoid the allergic triggers, the most common being dust and dust mite. While you cannot eliminate dust, here are some things that can be done to reduce exposure and lower your baby’s chances of having asthma attacks:

• Cover your infant’s bed mattress with special asthma-allergy-proof covers.
• Wash sheets, blankets, pillows, throw rugs, and stuffed animals every one to two weeks in hot water to kill dust mites.
• Limit stuffed animals in your baby’s room or reduce the time your infant spends playing with stuffed animals.
• Consider removing pets (especially hairy cats and dogs) from your home.
• Keep your infant out of rooms while you’re vacuuming carpets and dusting furniture.
• Consider investing in a special air filter (called a HEPA filter) to keep your baby’s room clean.
• Maintain the humidity in your house below 50 percent when possible; dust mites and mold grow best in damp areas.
• Avoid perfumes, scented cleaning products, and other items with scents that could become irritants.
• Reduce mold in your house by repairing leaky plumbing.
• Keep your baby away from cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoke, as well as smoke from a fireplace.
• Don’t allow anyone to smoke in your home or car.