If you have dust allergies what has helped you?

[innerkitten]

I finally got an allergy test and found out I''m allergic to two types of dust mites ( and some trees). It''s always really hard for me to sleep because I get very congested and I have developed mild asthma too. I sometimes get a really annoying post nasal drip too. I take a few types of medication, a nasal steroid and sometimes claritin or singulair and sometimes combivent. I''d like to cut back on the medications and try and keep dust out of my bedroom. What measures have you taken around your home and what''s worked for you?
TIA

 

[rainwood]

Inner Kitten -

I''ve got the same allergies. I put dust mite covers on the pillows under the pillowcases, I try not to have the windows open at night because the big pollen dump from trees comes at dawn and dusk. I''m hoping to replace the bedroom carpeting with hardwood floors. I also do a nasal rinse (not the Neti pot but the plastic squeeze bottle you fill with saline solution) once or twice a day depending on how bad it is. It isn''t perfect but it does seem to help.

Claritin has never done anything for me and the inhalers like Flonase make my nose dry out and bleed. That''s why I finally tried the nasal rinse even though the whole idea of it sort of freaked me out. You get used to it fast though. I no longer feel like I''ve just been thrown off my boogie board and gotten a nose full of seawater.

And I need to be a little better about dusting. I''ve started to declutter so that there are fewer dust catchers around.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

1) minimal carpeting
2) incasing the mattress and pillows
3) keeping the windows closed
4) washing the sheets weekly
5) flonase
6) allegra

If you have carpets, can you convince your husband to vacuum?

 

[Ali]

Solid flooring and allergen barrier mattress/pillow covers. Remove any fabric window coverings you may have and replace with a solid surface type (blinds) as well.
Make sure you linens are cleaned in HOT water at least once a week.

Since we spend most of our lives sleeping, taking these steps in the sleeping area will do wonders for any allergies.

Good luck!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

My son is allergic to dust mites. When he was in kindergarten, his constantly blinked his eyes, and so we had him tested and he came back positive for that and dogs.

The main changes I have made is I wash ALL his blankets and sheets in hot water using All Free and Clear detergent, got him a plastic cover for his mattress, and a allergen cover for his pillow case.

Just with that alone, his symptoms have gone away.

 

[redfaerythinker]

I used flonase for years, and it worked great. I agree with the anti-allergen covers for mattress and pillows. Make sure you vacuum often as well. But the thing that really helped on a permanent basis was allergy shots. Now this might be a bit more of an extreme measure, but I did it, and have been allergy free for over eight years.

 

[bebe]

Date: 7/1/2009 8:36:19 PM
Author: rainwood
Inner Kitten -

I''ve got the same allergies. I put dust mite covers on the pillows under the pillowcases, I try not to have the windows open at night because the big pollen dump from trees comes at dawn and dusk. I''m hoping to replace the bedroom carpeting with hardwood floors. I also do a nasal rinse (not the Neti pot but the plastic squeeze bottle you fill with saline solution) once or twice a day depending on how bad it is. It isn''t perfect but it does seem to help.

Claritin has never done anything for me and the inhalers like Flonase make my nose dry out and bleed. That''s why I finally tried the nasal rinse even though the whole idea of it sort of freaked me out. You get used to it fast though. I no longer feel like I''ve just been thrown off my boogie board and gotten a nose full of seawater.

And I need to be a little better about dusting. I''ve started to declutter so that there are fewer dust catchers around.

A Neti Pot nasal rinse, when I remember helps. Other than that, I suffer through. I''ve loaded up on too much allergy med in the past
and I''m making an effort to find non-medical ways to deal with it.
I also stay away from cold rooms and ceiling fans, seems to stir everything up.

 

[justjulia]

My husband and I both suffer from dander and dust allergies. What seems to help us is to change out the all house filter that is attached to the front of the central air intake, every other week. I get the one made to catch pollen, etc, which is a good bit more $$ than some others, but totally worth it.

 

[luv2sparkle]

I agree with what everyone else has said. I make sure I dust my room often, night stands and lamps and ceiling fans and vacuum the carpet. I also invested in
a Miele vacuum that is really good, has deep suction and filters to hold all the dust. I noticed a difference with that alot. I have had other vacuums that had
hepa filters (electrolux) but this one is much better. I also have a bed that has a high headboard that I have to dust often. I also bought furniture sliders to put
under my bed so it can be moved to dust behind. I hadnt done that for 4 years because the bed was so heavy it would have to be taken completely apart to
dust. After I did that I noticed a difference in how I slept and how I felt when I woke up.

I am also doing the allergy shot thing again. I have done it 4 times in my life and the effects for me last about 10 years, then all the allergies return.

 

[movie zombie]

i researched and then took myself off pharmaceuticals [i''d use for awhile and then it wouldn''t work; i''d be off to the next dr prescription only to have the same thing happen...this went on for years]. ithen i put myself on some herbs to boost my immune system, my upper respiratory system, deal with headaches, and dry out those nasal passages when necessary. this was years ago. i now live in a house with five cats [was 9 at one time] in a redwood forest [despite being allergic to mildew and mold] and have the windows open all night. i don''t dust that frequently but do vacuum several times a week....usually. removing any and all carpeting was paramount.......no matter how much one vacuums or has carpets cleaned, they aren''t dust and/or mite free. take a look at your carpet pad some time.....yuck.

mz

 

[bebe]

I also should add I noticed a huge improvement when I started taking Cortisol hormone replacement.
Within a week, my sinuses were not reacting to every puff of wind and every bit of dust.

 

[innerkitten]

Thanks for all the info ladies! I actually have hardwood floors with area rugs but no carpet. I''m get rid of the rugs and switch from drapes to some sort of blinds, maybe wood. A filter sounds like a good idea too, plus regular dusting and anti dust mite bed covers.

I have tried herbs and acupuncture. They worked but as soon as I stopped the symptoms came back again. My doctor did mention allergy shots but said they were expensive. However, if it meant keeping my symptoms away for 10 years it would probably be worth it.