Help! I'm allergic to my house...

[jcm]

Well, now that the weather is cold I've had to shut the windows and turn on some heat. I spent most of last winter w/ constant post-nasal drip and allergy symptoms. It's started again. Changed the furnace filter thinking that would help and it's made no difference. We have carpet in the basement and upstairs, the main floor is wood. Any suggestions how to figure out what is causing the allergies so I can eliminate the problem and not have another miserable winter? I have a perscription for allergy meds, but that is obviously just covering the real problem. Plus, I've noticed it always elevates my heart rate when I run. I'd be open to suggestions ... this is miserable!

Jen

 

[mj476]

Jen - I'm sorry to hear of your problems. I had the same. Between allergies, asthma and itching, I was going out of my mind in the winter months. You're not going to like my answer, but the best thing I did was move from New York to Georgia. All of my problems are now gone. It feels so good to breathe easy, not be up all night itching and not have to take allergy pills all the time. I don't know if I was allergic to my house or not, but like you, having the house closed up in the winter was a problem. I have central air conditioning now which I didn't have before and it really helps to filter the air. I notice when I don't have the blower on, my symptoms act up.

As far as the allergies go, have you ever been skin tested? You might want to consider allergy shots. It's a long commitment but they've helped me. If you have pets, don't keep them in the bedroom with you. (This was really hard for me and I couldn't do it, but that's what an allergist will tell you.) It's better to have hardwoods than carpeted floors. Wash your sheets in hot water. Keep an air filter in your bedroom. Try and have someone else do the vacuuming and dusting.

Marcy

 

[martijean1]

First of all, go in for allergy testing to see what's causing the problem! It could be a whole slew of things...Dust, cats, dogs, mold, pollen...You name it. Can't fix the problem until you find out what it is, right?

I totally agree with the air purifier. I would also suggest a furnace filter made with that "allergy" stuff, change monthly (you can get the same type for your vaccum)...Wash your drapes! Vaccum out all vents (one step further is to get all ductwork cleaned)...

Good luck!

MJ

 

[ElaineP]

Enclose your mattress,boxspring and pillow with allergy resistant cases. You can get them just about any deprtment store. My son's allergist suggested washing his bed blankets and comforter every week. Wood floors in the bedroom made a huge difference for my son. If you have blinds get rid of them, they are big dust collectors. Hepa filter air purifiers work great. Rid your bedroom of anything they may collect dust or pollen.
As someone said get tested then you'll know what is the culprit.

Good Luck!

 

[kathryn]

I'd guess it's either the carpet (Olefin is something I've had problems with in the past) or dust mites (which collect in carpet, bedding and curtains).

Reduce as much carpeting and drapery as you can, and use a vaccuum cleaner with a Hepa filter to regularly clean the rest (or wash in the washing machine if you can).

I agree that a Hepa air filter is a good idea as well.

 

[jcm]

Thanks for the ideas! I wondered if the testing would tell what is the problem currently. I know I have the usual allergies - cats, seasonal (late summer -but that actually seems better since the birth of #3), mold. This even happened over the summer when I had to shut up the house for air conditioning. We've been here 11 years and it just started a year ago! I'm wondering if it's mold in the basement. There was a place where we used to get water and there is some mold on the walls in that spot. Thinking of replacing the basement carpet. We have no pets and my house is actually being dusted reguarly now (hired a cleaning lady - so happy/spoiled). We have this fancy crazy filter on our furnace. Replacements are $40!! I'll put in a new one tomorrow. Glad to hear at least I'm not alone!

Jen

 

[kathryn]

Another thought: have you had your heating ducts cleaned lately? That could help.
I was also going to mention a new Hepa heating duct filter (this thread reminded me I had to get a new one, and I picked up a Filtrete with a 1700 rating! The most I'd been able to find before was 1200).