D.K. asks from Elk Grove, CA on February 26, 2009
Advice? Allergic to Something in Home?
Hi! For the past month or so I have been having a lot of sore throats followed by congestion (and snoring) at night, major nose blowing in the morning, and then it all clears out for the rest of the day, but starts up again in the evening. I have realized that the sore throat only starts when I am at home, but always comes on when ever I get home and lasts until late the following morning. I figured it was just allergies, but the pattern is telling me that i am allergic to something in my house. I am looking to all of you wonderful mommies for clever ideas of where/what to look for in my home. Here is a bit more info: We have a dog, cats, and fish and have had them for many years, so I don't believe that it is pet related. Our house is about 16 years old. I have tried opening everything up to air it out during the day, but that doesn't make a difference. The amount of cleaning I do or don't do doesn't seem to have any effect. I can not use a humidifier because we already have to dehumidify our house because the large aquarium will cause mold problems if we don't. ....So what am I missing??? I am getting sick of feeling sick every night!!! I was trying to avoid medicating myself, because allergy meds always dry me out and this time of year I have a problem with that already.
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More Answers
J.A. answers from San Francisco on February 27, 2009
Maybe try changing your air filter?
M.K. answers from Chico on February 26, 2009
Do you live near new construction or a new park where they have put in plants that weren't there? Do you live where they are spraying fertilizer or pesticides? (Tis the season!) Maybe you have a new plant from Christmas or something? Did you switch laundry or cleaning products? Did you try changing your AC/heater filter? Any new furniture or paint? Just throwing some ideas out there! Hope you figure it out.
Last thought- sometimes it takes years to develop pet allergies. If you can't figure it out, maybe go ahead and get an allergy test with cat and dog on the list.
S.E. answers from San Francisco on February 27, 2009
It could be mold. If this is a new thing, think back as you look around the house. What is newer and could relate back to the time when this all started.
Our MD said to keep the windows closed at night to keep the pollen from rolling in the window.
What do you eat once you get home? Might be eggs? My friend was fine and then developed an allergy to eggs after having her daughter. (Well, that's when she noticed the issue.)
It could something you eat when you get home. Maybe there is something on an old coat in the closet and when you hang up your coat each night, you get it on you. Yes, it could be that silly.
I'm highly allergic to cats and I'm a teacher. I had a student who had way too many cats for their home, like 36. I had a reaction every time she sat in or leaned on my lap during story time. We had to make arrangements about her school bag, clothes, etc.
J.K. answers from Fresno on February 27, 2009
It may be that you have mold in your home now that you cant see.I don't know who you would call but there are people who check for that.
K.B. answers from Yuba City on February 27, 2009
I advise getting bleach water (50/50) and q-tips and cotton balls and clean the little black rubber strip
along yr windows where mold grows unseen with qtips. use the cotton balls for the tracks of windows. also dust like mad, your fan blades from overhead fans too! and dont hang out yr laundry, it will be pollen laden if you do.
my home was new 15 yrs ago, has double panes windows.
I was shocked when doc told me to do this, but she was right. It should be done every year after rain has set in. Condesenation causes it, they, by law, must seal up newer homes too much. Good luck!
C.M. answers from Chico on February 27, 2009
D.,
Actually, you could be allergic to your dog or cats. As a child, my family always had a dog and a cat and it seemed that my allergies were only related to spring pollens. However, the allergies have been getting wose for me so I went and got tested. I found I am allergic to dogs, cats, dust mites, molds and spring pollens of almost every type in our area...lucky me.
What I found helps at night is the allergy pillow covers. We hope to buy a new mattress this year and I plan to get an allergy mattress cover at that time as well. I would suggest getting going to an allergist to find out what you are allergic to and considering allergy shot therapy to build up your immunity to the allergens. It is a long process and they will probably ask you to take meds, but eventually you will be able to get off the meds. I am naughty, I only take the meds when I am feeling REALLY crummy or prior to my weekly shot as advised.
Maybe one of the other moms will have a more wholistic, natural idea, but definitely get the allergen protectors and clean your bedding weekly or bimonthly in hot water as a start.
J.C. answers from San Francisco on February 27, 2009
One possibility is so-called "chem (chemical) trails" that you may notice have been going on for some time. You'll see these criss cross Xs in the sky or parallel lines coming from the backs of airplanes (different from contrails which dissipate fairly quickly).
Just look it up on the web and you'll see a bunch of info on it. The prevailing theory is that it has to do with weather-modification. Some people say it's causing global warming, other say it's supposed to prevent it! But whatever it is, it seems to be making people ill, especially with respiratory problems. Just one possibility. Anyway, we seem to have the same problem here. Whatever the problem, getting an air purifier may help.
P.U. answers from Sacramento on February 27, 2009
feather in the pillows? beds?
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