Allergic to your smartphone? New research shows why our phones might be triggering our allergies

23rd November 2022

Allergic to your smartphone? New research shows why our phones might be triggering our allergies

Did you know that there are around 53.5 million smartphone users in the UK? That’s 78.9% of our population! But we’re sure it doesn’t come as a surprise that smartphones are so popular in society right now. They’re not just our way of communicating, but a key part of how we shop, bank, entertain ourselves – well, practically everything we do can revolve around them.

So this recent research from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) won’t be shocking. They found that our smartphones are “reservoirs” of allergens, and could be exacerbating our allergies. Let’s take a look at their study and see what they mean…

What is the study?

The basis of this study makes a lot of sense. We use our smartphones constantly throughout the day, touching them around 2,600 times. So it stands to reason that they might pick up some allergens along the way.

For the study, researchers created fake phone models that had a similar size and surface to our actual phones. These were given to 15 volunteers to mimic our daily usage. The front of these models were wiped as part of the test so allergen levels could be measured.

What did the study find?

The research by the ACAAI found that our phones have “elevated levels of cat and dog allergens”, along with a rise in “β-D glucans (BDG) and endotoxin”. Cat and dog allergens refers to their dander, which people allergic to these animals tend to react to. It has a habit of sticking to our furniture, carpets, and apparently our phones.

BDG is something often found in fungal cell walls and is linked to mould. It can cause chronic airway problems, and is particularly important for anyone with a mould allergy. And endotoxin is another inflammatory agent, which won’t help with symptoms.

What does this mean?

So what does this mean for our everyday life? Well, it just goes to show that allergens can be found somewhere we wouldn’t usually expect. If you live with an allergy, you might be used to cleaning the house to get rid of any irritating particles. Now it seems you might have to add your smartphone to your cleaning routine.

The study used a number of industrial chemicals that you can’t buy on the shelves to clean their mock phones. But at home, this isn’t possible. It’s recommended that you clean the phone with a “soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth” according to Apple. If you have a phone case, take it off and wash it with soap in lukewarm water. Do this frequently and it should remove allergen particles.

This research shows a fascinating insight into how our technology affects our allergies. And it likely doesn’t end with phones. Tablets, TV remotes, keyboards, laptops, and anything else you touch throughout the day could be a source of aggravated allergies. So don’t skip over your tech when it comes to cleaning.

If you ever have any allergy concerns and want some expert advice on how to manage them, feel free to reach out to us. You can register as a new patient or simply call on 02031 433 449.

5 tips for living with pets when you have a pet allergy

7th September 2022

5 tips for living with pets when you have a pet allergy

There are times where you can’t get away from your allergies. Ask anyone with hay fever; when that time of year rolls around, you better believe you’ll be facing stuffy noses and itchy eyes. And that can just as easily happen with a pet allergy. Maybe you don’t want to give away the dog that has become part of your family. Or perhaps you’re not in the position to move out of your home even though your flatmate’s cat is aggravating your symptoms.

That’s how life goes sometimes. So what can you do to help yourself? Thankfully, there are a few quick and easy tricks to make your life that bit easier. These obviously won’t get rid of your pet allergy, but it’s the next best thing. Here are our top five tips.

Check your allergies

The first step is to make sure it’s actually your pet allergy affecting you. You may have another allergy that is making it seem worse. For example, it might be your hay fever that’s having more of an effect, so it isn’t the pet dander but the pollen on the animal that’s setting you off.

It isn’t fair to pin all the blame on the pet if it isn’t even their fault!

Check the pet

Something might be affecting the pet that’s making you more sensitive to them. They may have a skin condition that’s causing them to shed more skin and dander. And if there’s more of this around the house, then you’re going to experience more symptoms. Take them to the vet (or get their owner to if they aren’t yours) to make sure everything is okay.

Regular grooming

What causes your reactions is likely pet dander, which they shed and leave all over the house. The best way to deal with this is through regular grooming. This means a lot of baths and more trips to get their hair cut. That way, there’s less for them to shed, meaning there’s less to set you off.

Clean your home often

Yes, unfortunately, there’s even more cleaning to do. Just because you groom them regularly doesn’t mean they still won’t shed. But getting a good cleaning schedule in order can work wonders. Clean where they spend most of their time. Around their bed, in the living room, in the kitchen – you name it. 

At least once a week should be a minimum, if not more. Maybe it’s time to invest in that robot vacuum you’ve always wanted?

Keep them off the furniture

This one might sound a bit mean, but it’s effective. You don’t want their dander somewhere where you’ll spend a lot of your time. The obvious pieces of furniture are the sofa and your bed. Still clean these areas regularly, but by keeping them off them, you save yourself some of the pain.

It might also be time to think about changing that fabric sofa to a (faux) leather one, or tearing up that carpet and going for hardwood floors. This way, there are no fibres for their dander to stick to.

And those are our five tips. It does mean more work for you unfortunately, but such is life when you have an allergy. Our furry friends can make the day seem brighter, so if this is the alternative to getting rid of them, it might just be worth it. As always, if you ever have any concerns about your allergies, it’s best to speak to an allergist.

For all the advice you need about your pet allergy, get in touch with our allergy specialists today. You can register as a new patient, or give us a quick call on 02031 433 449.

Q&A: What to do when you find out you’re allergic to your dog

24th February 2021

Q&A: What to do when you find out you’re allergic to your dog

Plenty of people in the UK love their pets. It could be a cat that lazes around the house all day, a bird that sings to them, or a lizard bathing itself under a heat lamp. By far the most popular pet is man’s best friend – the dog. It’s estimated there are about 9 million dogs in the UK and with the lockdown, there’ll be plenty more.

But what happens when you realise you’re actually allergic to your new furry friend? We’re here to answer your questions about what to do if you’re allergic to your dog.

Can I keep my dog?

The first question on many people’s minds will be whether they can keep their loyal companion. The answer is, usually, yes – if you’re prepared to live with the consequences. The advice from doctors would probably be to bite the bullet and find a new home for them. It won’t be easy, but it will help you live easier.

I don’t want to give them away. What else can I do?

If you really don’t want to part ways (and we can easily understand why), there are precautions you can take to minimise allergic reactions. Keep windows open to stop a build-up of pet dander, the culprit that usually causes your reactions. Stay on top of your cleaning schedule, vacuuming daily around areas your dog spends time. Don’t let them on furniture such as beds and sofas.

Also, talk to your doctor. They may have more advice or be able to prescribe medication to ease your symptoms.

Could something else be causing my allergy?

There is a chance it might not be your dog. If they spend a lot of time outside, they might be bringing pollen in on their hair, aggravating your hay fever. They may even have some hitchhikers, and your allergy is to the mites instead. Regularly washing your dog and watching where they go can help with this.

What if I don’t have a dog yet? Can I still get one?

If you know you’re allergic to dogs and still want one, definitely give it some consideration. Ask yourself if potentially having symptoms every day is worth it. If you still want a dog, there are some that might be better for you. Those that shed less, thus leaving less pet dander, might help. Though keep in mind that no dog breed is truly ‘hypoallergenic’ – i.e. completely allergy-free.

How can I be sure I have a dog allergy?

The only way to be 100% sure is to have a doctor or allergy specialist test you for allergies. Through one of many methods, they can help uncover what allergies are holding you back. When you want medical advice, this should be your first port of call.

We know the choice between your health or your pet can be a tough one. But you should put yourself first and find a solution that works for both of you.

At Allergy Clinic London, we can test you for a range of allergies, helping you live a healthier life. To find out more, get in touch with us on 02031 433 449.