Dust allergy families: how far did you go?

[Anonymous]

My dad got a medical grade HEPA air filter for his bedroom (and could move it room to room if needed) and it solved all his allergy problems fairly immediately.

[Anonymous]

I hear you on the vacuuming. That plus weekly linen washing is key for us, but keeping up with dusting and vacuuming is frustrating. We got rid of all of our bedroom rugs and just have area rugs downstairs. When we are truly exhausted and don’t vacuum, a quick lap around the house with the Swiffer helps.

[Anonymous]

Nasonex cured my dust allergy and it used to be horrible. That and living in newer houses.

[Anonymous]

PP, how long did you use nasonex?

[Anonymous]

Allergy covers for pillow, comforter and mattress pretty much solved it for my kid. Wash sheets frequently. I try to vacuum when he’s not home. Most of our house has wood floors but there is carpet in his bedroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’ve confirmed through testing that child’s terrible nasal allergies are to dust mites. Action plan is:

-encasing all pillows, comforters, mattresses
-throwing away as many stuffed and upholstered items as possible
-switching to a HEPA vacuum and emptying outside if bagless
-vacuuming the entire house twice a week
-covering vents with dust filters
-having two top quality air purifiers running at all time
-using dehumidifiers to keep humidity under 40
-hiring vent cleaners to come when we’re out of town

Phew.

But what about all the beloved stuffed animals 4 year old sleeps with? The sofas we sit on? Outdoor furniture? I’m so exhausted thinking about this but doc says our ability to execute may mean the difference between having to get allergy shots and not…

Thanks to anyone who has btdt

We pulled up wall-to-wall carpet. We have HEPA filters. And we dust / vacuum often. Plus allergy meds, as needed. I contemplated shots but docs offices don't make those easy or convenient (I can't take an hour twice a week, at least at the beginning) so I stopped.

We also have pets, and I have pet allergies (not bad), but that's a non-starter as they are not leaving. So, it's a lot of vacuum and dusting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vacuum daily.

My doctor said don't vacuum because you're just kicking the dust up and putting it in the air.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vacuum daily.

My doctor said don't vacuum because you're just kicking the dust up and putting it in the air.

Some high end vacuums retain all of the dust.

[Anonymous]

I am 37 and have suffered from allergies for the last 20 years. I started shots 18 months ago and it has made a vast improvement on my life. This kind of thing is death by a thousand cuts. Allergy shots are intimidating and a big commitment, but so is ridding your house permanently of dust. I wish I had gone straight to shots instead of years and years on daily allergy nose sprays and pills, chronic sinus issues, sinus rinses, etc.

Don't be afraid of the allergy shots, they are amazing!

[Anonymous]

Agree with shots but greatest impact for us are pulling wall to wall carpet, and using pillow and mattress encasements. the rest of it we didn't focus on. Dry air is bad for breathing too so be careful with air purifiers.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks again, everyone. It sounds like I should be more open to the shots. Will focus on encasement in the meantime. Do air purifiers dry out the air too much? Or just the dehumidifier?

[Anonymous]

Air purifiers do not dry out air. That is just dehumidifiers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks again, everyone. It sounds like I should be more open to the shots. Will focus on encasement in the meantime. Do air purifiers dry out the air too much? Or just the dehumidifier?

You don’t have to do shots. You can do sublingual drops. That way, you don’t have to go to the doctor’s office and wait there for 30 minutes. Data says that drops are almost as effective as shots. Although my son still suffers from allergy symptoms, they are much better than before immunotherapy.

[Anonymous]

adult sufferer here and I agree to being open with the shots. My mom wishes she had done them for me, and I have to say I do too! I don't like taking meds every day so I just suffer most of the time. I always sound a little stuffed up. It's probably not good for my sleep at all. But as a parent now I find making time for the allergy shots incredibly difficult (one of my son's has twice weekly therapy himself right now, how am I supposed to add myself in there??). Doing it as a kid would have been a good idea. I did start allergy shots in my mid-twenties but I wasnt able to do them long enough, I was too transient at the time and ended up moving etc. So again, with a parents help - easier! Ok this sounds like excuses.. maybe I should give it a go again

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dad got a medical grade HEPA air filter for his bedroom (and could move it room to room if needed) and it solved all his allergy problems fairly immediately.

Yes we got 3 IQAir machines and they could not have been more expensive, don't forget the replacement filters$$$! But cheaper than some of the alternatives. One for kid's room, one for main living area, and one for basement. I do think they make a difference.