What child doesn’t love toys – and that too when they are soft and cuddly? Soft toys are extremely popular as they are not only play companions but also provide comfort to babies while cuddling and sleeping. And while they provide them with warmth and security, doctors warn of their hidden dangers – including being a trigger for asthma.

According to experts, stuffed toys also aggravate many other respiratory problems, causing sneezing, cough and cold.

How do stuffed toys cause asthma in children?

Doctors say that when stuffed toys are taken everywhere, a lot of dust and germs accumulate in them. These toys can be a source of infections and allergies. Asthma is a chronic condition with occasional flare-ups that involves inflammation of the bronchial airways, causing symptoms such as breathlessness. While pollen, mold, and pet dander are well-known culprits, these toys often go unnoticed.

Dust mites – microscopic organisms that thrive in warm, humid environments – hide in the layers of stuffed toys and are commonly found in soft fabrics. Asthma symptoms also cause chest tightness, as most babies who hug stuffed toys or sleep with them face constant irritation and discomfort.

According to a 2008 study by the Ecology Center, a Michigan-based consumer-protection program, more than 33 percent of all toys tested contained potentially harmful levels of substances, including lead, cadmium and phthalates that are carcinogenic, Are mutagenic. , and is linked to reproductive problems.

Cadmium damages lungs and kidneys

Experts say children with high phthalate exposure may suffer neurobehavioral and male reproductive organ development. And the hidden dangers of toys extend to the environment as well.

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 the dryer on high heat for at least 45 minutes
• Hot water and heat drying should effectively eliminate any dust particles and germs.
• Clean the surface of the toys with mild detergent and warm water.
• Clean the outside of the stuffed toy thoroughly.
• 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 floors. It will absorb the dust particles.

Ways to take care of children’s asthma

To manage your child’s asthma, you need to:

• take medications as prescribed
• Identify and avoid triggers
• Make sure your child gets the updated COVID-19 vaccine and annual flu vaccine
• Know the symptoms of flare up
• Know what to do in case of severe outbreak
• Use an asthma diary.

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