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Rdr1051 t1_isxeyqf wrote

From 2018-2020 I had multiple "sinus infections" and was constantly congested. My physician insisted I see an ear nose and throat MD as he believed I needed surgery. The ENT checked everything and told me I had no structural issues but had allergies. He gave me a shot of corticosteroids which solved all my problems for 3-6 months but insisted I see an allergist after it wore off.

I did. Diagnosed with significant dust mite and mold allergies. In addition to immunotherapy (allergy shots) my allergist recommended the following activities:

  • Vacuum all carpets with a HEPA vac 2 x weekly
  • replace down pillows with anti allergy pillows (Breathewell pillows at Target)
  • Cover pillows and mattress with anti dust mite covers (I replaced my mattress also with a memory foam mattress in addition)
  • Wash bedding every three days in HOT water
  • vacuum and steam clean all fabric covered furniture and mattress monthly.
  • Vacuum walls, baseboards and wash every six months.
  • Change furnace filter monthly with a very high efficiency filter (check your HVAC can use these)

I did all those things in the weekend after my allergy test. Cleaned my house from top to bottom in a flurry of craziness. The difference it made (before starting allergy shots) was amazing. I still follow the schedule and with that and allergy shots my quality of life is significantly improved. I still have occasional flare ups but they are getting further and further apart as I continue with my allergy shots.

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thatG_evanP t1_isyejs3 wrote

Glad I don't have allergies. That's a lot!

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Rdr1051 t1_isyfo72 wrote

I’ve had seasonal allergies my whole life but nothing like what started year round in 2018. I really started noticing when I got a new job which involved a lot of travel. I felt much better while traveling than when I was back home (not just at home, in the general area). My airplane would land and I could immediately tell the difference. Well, turns out SW Ohio is a nightmare for allergies according to my docs. I was 45 when this started getting real bad by the way.

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BigNastySmellyFarts t1_isz9z41 wrote

Have you been tested for Alpha-1 antitripsen? And SW Ohio/Eastern Indiana I do well with my allergies…guess my allergies know “home”.

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Rdr1051 t1_iszb6ig wrote

I haven’t that I know of. Never heard of it until now. Just reading up on the markers though it’s highly unlikely that this affecting me. My liver function has always been completely normal and once I stopped smoking 25 years ago I stopped having any lung issues other than the occasional chest cold. My allergies have always manifested as sinus issues, no asthma.

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BigNastySmellyFarts t1_iszbfsv wrote

Great news. It is one of those genetic things that can cause a lot of later life issues. 🙋‍♂️

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scalyblue t1_it2k5r5 wrote

The neat thing is you can spontaneously develop allergies at any point in your life

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cetacean-station t1_isyj8at wrote

Thank you!! My girlfriend has asthma that gets aggravated at my house and I'm gonna do this to help her out

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Ericaohh t1_isylp3u wrote

This is very nice of you :)

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cetacean-station t1_isyvssu wrote

Of course!!! I feel sad that she feels anxious coming to my place bc of the dog hair and dust, and I want to create a welcoming and safe environment for her. I know her family didn't take her asthma seriously growing up and so she'd never ask me to do that, cuz she feels guilty about it... so I want to go out of my way to show her care in this way specifically.

When someone isn't shown the right amount of care about a thing, they tend to minimize it, because they don't know how to get help with it. I recognize that I have an opportunity to show her care in that way, and maybe help her recognize that it's valid to ask for help with stuff like this. No need to have an asthma attack in someone's house just because it's "too much" to ask them to clean for you.

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alv51 t1_isz1zyy wrote

A thoughtful soul, you are.

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Jd771 t1_isycz9w wrote

Also certain bedding materials hold onto allergens more than others. I believe cotton is guilty of this.

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alv51 t1_isz2fyz wrote

Linen is supposed to be good I’ve heard…it doesn’t hold on to dampness as much, and therefore is less hospitable to dust mites. Wool duvet and pillows similarly so.

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Atty_for_hire t1_isyq7dp wrote

My wife was recommended the same. And we’ve done quite a bit, but Jesus it’s hard to keep on on this and we are just a couple with a cat (which she’s allergic to, but love is love). It also doesn’t help that we live in an old house and my favorites activities are home improvement projects!

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Rdr1051 t1_isz0b14 wrote

I hear you! It’s just me and the dog in this oversized house. I keep 3 rooms closed off and only vacuum them about once a month. Each day of the week is a different room to go through and clean. I won’t lie though, I’m usually a few days behind and once a month just take 8-10 hours and do a blitz. Staying on top of laundering the bedding is the real key for me.

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jhrogers32 t1_isz9m6w wrote

Additionally,

A blue air filter in every room, get a roomba and have it run as much as needed, get a moppie (mop roomba) run as much as needed, check and seal all windows and doors (many times your house shifts over time and you develop new cracks).

Also a ton of dust in the home comes from us humans. Wash and MOISTURIZE your skin, take off shoes at the door, change from street clothes to home clothes immediately. Street clothes go straight into a covered bin.

You’ll get through this!

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jjthedragon t1_iszcgra wrote

Get a robot vaccum, put it on a schedule and buying a reusable washable air filter for my furnace is nice. Hose it down with soapy water and let dry. Saves you lots if it's recommended to change your filter frequently.

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5ittingduck t1_iszhnyc wrote

Excellent advice.
Carpets are an issue, hard floors are much better but removing carpets might not be achievable.
Window covers, we use cheap washable curtains. Another significant allergen which is often unidentified is perfume (particularly artificial ones). Detergent, cleaning products and fabric softeners are available in unscented forms and are highly recommended.

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southern_mimi t1_it0hfwp wrote

All of the above. Except I couldn't finish the allergy shots. I became allergic to them! But still managed almost a year. Moved to a home with all hardwood floors. (The wood floors were a deciding factor).

5 years later some of those rules have relaxed & it's still good.

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Alexis2256 t1_iszl7dc wrote

I don’t know if it’s allergies but I always wake up sneezing in the mornings. Don’t think my room is dusty and I do have an air filter in my room, it’s one of those tower ones.

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XXI_Regeneratis t1_it00xrd wrote

I’m sorry did I read that correctly? You have to vacuum your walls? Holy moly 😂

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