Finding Allergy-Friendly Cuddly Toys

Stuffed animals look so cute and cuddly in store windows, surrounded by cottony snow, glitter and marching toy soldiers, but for a child with allergies or asthma, those plush toys can cause a lot more trouble than joy.

Stuffed animals can make great holiday gifts, but they are a haven for dust mites and other irritants that can trigger allergy or asthma attacks, especially if children carry the toys with them wherever they go.

Last year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America launched a program to certify toys and other household items as "asthma friendly" - which means that the product has been scientifically tested and proven to be more suitable for people with asthma and related allergic sensitivities.

But take care, some products require a little bit of maintenance to keep them allergy friendly. You may need to wash them periodically or even keep them in a freezer occasionally to prevent dust mites. The

The list even has tips for keeping toys allergy-free for as long as the child has them.

There's a new list available this year too.

Check it out at www.asthmafriendly.com.

Some of the cute toys safe for allergic toddlers include:

  Build-A-Bear Velvet Teddy

Buy it here

Available at Target