Wellness

[151949]

I've been waking up in the mornings with a runny nose , scratchy throat and a lot of sneezing . I already am an asthmatic so I have a lot of allergies but, honestly, I believe I am allergic to Florida - all of it. Anyway, all the experts will tell you to wash or get a new mattress and completely clean your bedding so yesterday I steam cleaned the mattress, and washed in hot water with bleach every single bit of our bedding, then even washed the pillows. Also turned on the AC instead of having the windows open, and dusted and throughly cleaned my whole house.Even changed the AC filter. Went to bed last night feeling sure we would wake up this morning without all the congestion. Woke up with a runny nose, sniffles and sneezing just like every other day - absolutely no difference. All the wasted soap & water and electric and effort! Darned "experts" know nothing.

[KYToby]

What you did was a good step, but someties it is not enough.

I have done the things you mentioned and have my mattress and pillos in allergy barriers, but I still have to take a daily antihistamine and rinse daily with a neti pot.  I see an allergist twice a year, and these have been his recommendations for the past five years,

[ChynnaBlue]

Have you actually been tested for allergies? A lot of people think they have allergies and do not. If you don't have them or are addressing dust when you're allergic to grass, you won't be helped by what any expert says.

I've had allergies since I was 3 and get re-tested occasionally. If you get tested and learn what things you are most allergic to, you can also find out when those things are in season and then prepare yourself before they become a problem. For example, if you are allergic to something that's in season in Florida but doesn't bother you when you live in your other location, you can start taking medication a few weeks before you go to Florida and prevent most symptoms. 

I am most allergic to cedar and oak pollen. Cedar season starts in November, so every October I visit my doctor and get prescriptions for things I only need some of the year and up the dose of medications I use all year long. That gives me a 4-week lead on anything that might bother me. My allergies are severe, but I fare better during cedar season than my friends with lesser sensitivity but no preparations. 

Listening to generic advice only helps so much. See a specialist, get tested, and make a plan based on your personal results.

Good luck!

[qualitygal]

I'm sure you thought of this already, but how about curtains and rugs?

[151949]

I have plantation shutters on the whole house and already got the carpets professionally steam cleaned. I have been an asthmatic my entire life so I know what to do -it just isn't working. I am already on a prednisone nasal spray for my asthma - one would think that would solve environmental issues wouldn't you? I think the next step will have to be DH & I moving some larger pieces of furniture to clean behind them and to be certain there is no mold anywhere. My worst allergy is mold.

[RedTop]

Could it be your body getting acclimated to FL again, after your summer in PA?   Air quality, the water you bathe in, and wash your clothes, bedding in, etc?   New car?   

[sophiamarie]

@151949  I live in Florida too and don't have any of your problems but my g/d has been "stuffy" for the past two weeks.  She has a lot of allergies, so she takes Contac I think.  Also, I don't know anyone here who doesn't keep their central A/C on all the time.  Why would you want the outside pollen blowing in your house anyway, especially if you have asthma?  

Try spraying your bedding with Lysol every morning and let the bed air out.  The best advice I can give you is to keep your windows shut and your air on.

[VaBelle35]

Sometimes it's food related or you could even have a sinus infection.

[151949]

Called the doctor for a Rx for allergies. With my renal disease I can't just take any OTC drug. He said it is probably red tide as it has been bad here this year so stay away from the beach, and stay indoors with the AC on as much as possible until it passes. No drugs, ok with me as I don't want to end up on dialysis over a simple allergy.