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Which child doesn’t like toys – and that too when they are soft and cuddly. Soft toys are hugely popular as they not only are play companions but also offer the kids comfort during cuddles and sleep. And while they give them warmth and security, doctors warn against their hidden dangers – a trigger for asthma.
According to experts, stuffed toys exacerbate many other respiratory issues as well, causing sneezes, coughs, and colds.
How do stuffed toys trigger asthma in children?
Doctors say stuffed toys gather and collect plenty of dust and germs while they are being carried everywhere. These toys can be a source of infection and allergies. Asthma is a chronic condition characterised by occasional flare-ups that involve inflammation of the bronchial airways, leading to symptoms like breathlessness. While pollen, mold, and pet dander are well-known culprits, these toys often go unnoticed.
Dust mites – microscopic creatures that thrive in warm, humid environments – are hidden in the folds of stuffed toys and are commonly found in soft fabrics. Asthma symptoms also lead to chest tightness as most children who cuddle or sleep with stuffed toys get exposed to ongoing flare-ups and discomfort.
According to a 2008 study by the Ecology Centre, a Michigan-based consumer-safety program, more than 33 per cent of all the toys that are tested contain potentially harmful levels of substances, including lead, cadmium, and phthalates which are carcinogenic, mutagenic, and linked to reproductive problems.
Cadmium causes lung and kidney damage
Experts say children with higher phthalate exposure may suffer impairments of neurobehavioural and male reproductive organ development. And the hidden dangers of toys extend to the environment, too.
How to keep your toys clean?
According to experts, you can clean your toys in the following ways:
- Wash your child’s stuffed toys in hot water every week
- Place them in a pillowcase or lingerie bag during the wash cycle
- Dry the toy in dryer on high heat for at least 45 minutes
- Hot water and heat drying should effectively eliminate any dust mites and germs
- Surface clean toys by using a mild detergent and warm water
- Thoroughly scrub the exterior of the stuffed toy
- Let them dry in the sun
- Do not use hand sanitizer gel to clean stuffed toys
- Vacuum all the stuffed animals while you are vacuuming the floor. This will suction the dust mites.
Ways to take care of children’s asthma
To manage your child’s asthma, you must:
- Take medicines as prescribed
- Identify and avoid triggers
- Make sure your child gets an updated COVID-19 vaccine and gets a yearly flu vaccine
- Know the signs of a flare-up
- Know what to do for a severe flare-up
- Use an asthma diary.