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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 9, 2019 14:27:20 GMT
After having a dry hacking cough since Christmas, numerous doctor appointments, conversations with nurses back and forth, medical tests, etc. she had a CT scan that showed almost complete sinus blockage with all her sinuses. We finally got the referral I wanted to an ENT for DD8 who gave her the referral to have allergy testing as a first step to figuring out what the heck we’re really dealing with. Allergy results say she is highly allergic to both types of dust mites and somewhat allergic to dogs (but thankfully not so bad that we would have to rehome our dog).
The doctor added Singulair daily and suggested washing *all* her bedding weekly in hot water (yay) and keeping our small non-shedding dog well groomed which we already mostly do, but will step it up a notch and take her in a little more frequently and bathe her more in between. But seriously, dust mites are freaking EVERYWHERE. We can take the stuffed animals and books out of her room (which she isn’t excited about) and vacuum more frequently (I freaking hate carpet).
Is there anything else we can do that would help minimize the problem? We have a boiler/radiant heat in the winter but central air that we use in the summer months to minimize DH’s and my issues with pollen and outdoor allergens. Poor kid. We go back to the ENT in another month where I’m sure he will order another CT scan to see if her sinuses are draining at all, or if surgery has to be the next step.
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Kerri W
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,776 
Location: Kentucky
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Post by Kerri W on Apr 9, 2019 14:41:26 GMT
My allergist suggested an allergy cover for the mattress and pillow and removing as many carpets/soft surfaces as possible. She also recommended changing the furnace filters vigilantly with allergy filters.
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Post by bbkeef on Apr 9, 2019 14:41:43 GMT
I also have a severe dust mite allergy. I take singulair nightly and generic Zyrtec daily. I bought an air purifier (brand is Germ Guardian) to keep in the living room where I spend the most time. Other than vacuuming, dusting and washing bedding often, that's all I do. It's just something you live with and it will get better. The ENT and allergist will advise you with all they can. My next step is taking the carpet out of our bedroom and that will hopefully happen this summer. air purifier |
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Post by Basket1lady on Apr 9, 2019 15:19:13 GMT
Is your DD using a Neti Pot or Neil Med bottle? It literally saved me from brain surgery.
After dealing with a blocked sphenoid sinus for about 18 months, with full blown infections every other month and constant vertigo, my ENT finally decided to do surgery. Because your sphenoid sinuses are deep in your head, I needed a landmark head CT. She had me use the Neil Med system leading up to the surgery. But the landmark CT came back clear. The only difference was the sinus rinse.
I use it diligently once a day. During allergy season (as in now!), I use it twice a day and after I've been outdoors for any length of time. I also wash my hair after being outdoors. That ways the pollen isn't on the pillow as I sleep. Also encourage her to drink a lot of water to keep her sinuses hydrated and draining.
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Post by gryroagain on Apr 9, 2019 15:19:50 GMT
My oldest has one, and it was hell being a military family moving so often into crappy rentals, etc. a mattress cover always, I washed all stuffed animals, curtains, etc often, no pets in her room (though that was a different allergy!) and mostly combinations of allergy meds switched up regularly. To this day she alternates Flonase/Claritin/Zyrtec/si gulair/Allegra. Because they work best in short does like for a month, switch, switch back, etc. also sinus surgery helped a TON. The allergy was still there but the sinus infections ended.
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Post by shevy on Apr 9, 2019 15:24:55 GMT
I do the same as others: duct, limit soft surfaces, take singular, netipot, use the air conditioner instead of windows open to blow dust into the air...but if I'm outside for more an about an hour in any given day, I wash my head at night before sleeping to get all the allergens out. I also use a new pillow case each day. Those things have helped because having my head on a fresh pillow case and not putting my nose/mouth near anything with dust or anything else on it means I sleep much better.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Apr 9, 2019 17:53:25 GMT
Check filters on every thing more frequently. Vacuum AC vents including the ones on the ceiling very frequently.
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pilcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,997
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Post by pilcas on Apr 9, 2019 18:05:23 GMT
I don’t think anyone has mentioned allergy shots. Lots of excellent advice from everyone.
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Post by Lexica on Apr 9, 2019 18:23:31 GMT
Excellent advice from everyone. I use a fresh pillowcase every night and put my hair in a ponytail rather than washing it daily. I used to wash daily when I was working, but now that I’ve retired, I stopped that practice and my hair is much healthier now. I find fresh pillowcases and ponytail suffices.
I went through all the allergy testing and had a series of shots for quite a long time. I stopped the shots when I got pregnant with my son because the allergy doctor couldn’t guarantee that my receiving the shots while pregnant wouldn’t cause some issue with the baby. Who knows. Anyway, I still take a daily allergy pill, use a nasal spray to dry up the drippy nose whenever necessary, and I removed all the carpeting downstairs where I spend the bulk of my time. I also use an inhaler but I guess that is considered more for my asthma. I get stuffy and can’t breathe when around my kitties too much, so I don’t know whether that is allergies or asthma or just what the difference is.
I am highly allergic to cats, and my heart didn’t want to listen to that. I’ve rescued 4 of them. I have decided that after these kitties pass, I won’t be taking in another one. I brush them daily, which they love, vacuum daily, and I go through a ton of swiffer cloths on all the furnishings. My dog doesn’t shed and he gets bathed every few days anyway, and I have never had any reaction from him.
Thinking may have changed on this since I went through all my allergy testing, but back then, the doctor said your system can usually handle one or maybe two of the items you are allergic to, but introduce the third and the body can’t handle it and you have a major allergy attack. I try to keep that in mind when I am around anything that I showed a strong reaction to. My dad laughed when I showed him my allergy test results. I’m a huge animal lover and the only animal that I didn’t react to was goats. He offered to buy me a pet goat.
Has your daughter had the testing done? If not, consider it and the custom shots that will slowly help your body overcome the allergy. It did make a big difference for me.
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Post by ladyinpink1969 on Apr 9, 2019 19:48:22 GMT
In addition to the mattress cover, I suggest getting a cover for her pillow. Walmart has both. I like the brand Aller-Ease. I have dust mite allergies (most people do) and as a kid my Mom was told to wash all my bedding in hot water. My sheets would end up ripping faster than if she had used warm water. Then one allergist said to wash them in warm water, but make sure the dryer is on high heat. The heat from the dryer would kill the dust mites.
There’s a ton of stuff you can buy, but I like my Mom’s theory of not going overboard. Do the mattress and pillow covers. Wash the pillow before putting it inside the cover. Vacuum the mattress before putting the cover on. Wash the stuffed animals or you may be able to freeze them so they don’t melt or become a big puff ball. Put the stuffed animals at the bottom of the bed. Let her have one or two up by her. Wash sheets weekly. Keep animals out of her bedroom. See if that works for your DD. If it only helps a little bit, then start to do more preventative measures.
Good luck!
PS - some doctors are finding histamine problems are related to the gut. I don’t know a lot about it, but am starting to look into it.
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Post by dewryce on Apr 9, 2019 20:11:08 GMT
In addition to changing out your air filters frequently with good quality ones, I’d start by getting the air ducts professionally cleaned.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 9, 2019 21:50:22 GMT
Thanks for all the helpful replies! She had the testing done yesterday. Her mattress already has a cover on it so that’s done. I picked up the two pillow covers Target had in stock and some extra pillowcases but I need two more allergy pillow covers which I’ll look for at the other store later this week (she has a queen size bed). I don’t think DH will go for pulling out the bedroom carpeting yet because we can’t afford to replace it right now with our ongoing cabin renovation currently going on, sigh. I think the family room carpet will be the first to go because it is walked on the most and will likely wear out the fastest. Thankfully our lake cabin will have all hard surface floors. We don’t have a forced air furnace so that’s not an issue. We already switch out the filters more than typical for the A/C and we use the HEPA type filters, so that’s covered. We probably should get the A/C ducts and vents cleaned, that’s a good idea. We bought a fancy battery powered Navage neti pot thing that flushes the saline through very quickly and she refuses to even try it, but she’s only eight and the thought of running water through her head freaks her out.  I agree that it would really help if we could get her to do it. In the meantime she will use the mist type saline nasal spray so at least that’s something. Washing her hair more often might help, but she has super long hair and it’s curly, so washing it more than once or twice a week would be hell (both on me and on her hair because it tends to be dry). She does keep it tied up in a braid down her back most of the time though. When my hair stylist sister comes to visit in June, I think DD will agree to getting her hair cut quite a bit but it will still be long. I plan to change out her pillow cases if not daily at least every other day. She doesn’t have a lot of stuffed animals in her bed but she does have a lot of pillows. She has a bunch of stuffies in her room but they’re on a shelf on the other side of the room. We might have to look at moving them out, along with a lot of her books. The big decorative pillows might also have to go. The stuffed animals she sleeps with are small and washer friendly. I’m thinking of maybe getting her a duvet cover or two for her comforter that could be swapped out weekly because it might be easier to wash that vs. her whole big comforter. The dog does go in her room but doesn’t sleep in there, the dog sleeps in my bed with me. Allergy shots would be almost a dead last resort, the kid is also needle phobic and starts crying even at the mention of needing a shot for anything. She wailed for 45 minutes straight the last time she got a flu shot. I don’t think I could subject her to weekly shots if there was literally any other alternative. I think I’d be able to sell her on surgery before getting her to sign on for regular allergy shots, she gets that freaked out by it. Ugh. I foresee a whole crapton more weekly laundry in my future. |
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Deleted
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Jul 8, 2024 1:09:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2019 22:10:10 GMT
I am allergic to dust mites along with other environmental things. Basically, I'm a hot mess of environmental allergies. I take allergy drops the allergist compounds that are specific to my situation and they have been a God-send. I have my house professionally cleaned bi-weekly. We have been working to pare down on the amount of stuff we have inside our home. We are not hoarders by any means but we decided this is great motivation to get rid of things we don't truly love. This has helped a lot. I can't take Singulair - it makes my bones hurt. We have a robot vacuum that runs daily which is another huge help. Full room air filters are another must have even if you change the central unit air filters out frequently. Lots and lots of laundry are a part of life as are twice-daily showers during peak allergy season.
Call you allergist back and see if they can get your DD on the drops. They really are wonderful. Expensive, but worth it.
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Post by dewryce on Apr 10, 2019 0:29:02 GMT
Is she into gross? If so, you could make it about seeing “how much boogers and snot” she can get out every time. Maybe watching you do it? Using colored water? I’m trying to think of things to make it more enticing. Though be warned, it can drip out long after you leave the bathroom so make sure whatever you color the water with won’t stain.
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mvavw
Full Member
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Jun 25, 2014 20:21:43 GMT
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Post by mvavw on Apr 10, 2019 1:01:48 GMT
Taking the books out of my room helped a lot. Another suggestion is to buy an air purifier. It's next on my list of purchases. I bought one for dd and it has helped her a lot. Allergies suck |
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likescarrots
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by likescarrots on Apr 10, 2019 3:21:53 GMT
I don’t think DH will go for pulling out the bedroom carpeting yet because we can’t afford to replace it right now with our ongoing cabin renovation currently going on, sigh. I think the family room carpet will be the first to go because it is walked on the most and will likely wear out the fastest. Thankfully our lake cabin will have all hard surface floors. honestly, you need to convince your husband that it's not just an inconvenience, this is your daughter's health. If your daughter had cancer and you could help her by removing the carpet, you would do it. This isn't any different. I think people minimize the effect allergies have on sufferers. Before I was diagnosed I honestly thought I was just going to die in my sleep. I was so depressed thinking I was never going to get better, never find out what was wrong with me, and I was so tired that I was terrified of driving because I couldn't concentrate and was worried about falling asleep. It's not just sneezing and sniffling like most people think. Your family room carpet can wait, maybe it looks worn out but your daughters health should come before cosmetic preferences. Most people covered helpful things. I would suggest getting a hepa air filter and make sure you're running it while you're vacuuming, it will help to pick up the debris kicked up from the vacuum. Also, it might be hard for her to vacuum, if I vacuum, I have to wear a dust mask. My husband does it for me even though it bothers him too, if I do it I'll be out for the rest of the day. So if someone else can do it for her when she's not in the room that would probably be best. |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 10, 2019 4:35:56 GMT
I don’t think DH will go for pulling out the bedroom carpeting yet because we can’t afford to replace it right now with our ongoing cabin renovation currently going on, sigh. I think the family room carpet will be the first to go because it is walked on the most and will likely wear out the fastest. Thankfully our lake cabin will have all hard surface floors. honestly, you need to convince your husband that it's not just an inconvenience, this is your daughter's health. If your daughter had cancer and you could help her by removing the carpet, you would do it. This isn't any different. I think people minimize the effect allergies have on sufferers. Before I was diagnosed I honestly thought I was just going to die in my sleep. I was so depressed thinking I was never going to get better, never find out what was wrong with me, and I was so tired that I was terrified of driving because I couldn't concentrate and was worried about falling asleep. It's not just sneezing and sniffling like most people think. Your family room carpet can wait, maybe it looks worn out but your daughters health should come before cosmetic preferences. Most people covered helpful things. I would suggest getting a hepa air filter and make sure you're running it while you're vacuuming, it will help to pick up the debris kicked up from the vacuum. Also, it might be hard for her to vacuum, if I vacuum, I have to wear a dust mask. My husband does it for me even though it bothers him too, if I do it I'll be out for the rest of the day. So if someone else can do it for her when she's not in the room that would probably be best. I get what you’re saying but I would say she probably spends more time in the family room in an average week than she does in her bedroom which is why we’d do that first. It wouldn’t just be for cosmetics, it’s the room where we spend a lot of our free time. She literally only sleeps in her bedroom and we can clear a lot of the dust collecting stuff out. DH and I both have our own allergy problems so I understand completely how it can affect a person. (I have chronic rhinitis and frequent sinus infections resulting from ANY excessive airborne pollutants both indoor and outdoor.) We would likely have to remove ALL the carpeting in the entire upper level of the house (~1700SF) not just her room, vs. the contained carpet in the family room on the main floor where we hang out. We have a commercial grade Rug Doctor that we can use as needed, and an air purifier (questionable if it still actually does anything) that we could put in her room, but that’s the best we can do about it right now to minimize the dust. We’re eyeball deep in our cabin renovation project that went horribly sideways when a significant amount of damage was discovered that was caused by negligence from the previous contractor, after demolition started and there was no turning back. The scope of the project doubled overnight, it was like one of those nightmare Mike Holmes shows on HGTV where tens of thousands of dollars in additional repairs were needed and we had no choice but to fix it or lose everything. The cabin will have only hard surface flooring. If I told DH we need to tear half the house apart right now too, there would be mutiny. If we didn’t have all this other stuff going on, that carpet would be gone in a heartbeat. She’s only eight, and doesn’t do much if any cleaning now as it is. Now that we know this, she won’t be expected to do any of the dusty stuff and will instead get more kitchen and outdoor chores in the spring (I have more outdoor issues and she has none). I already do most of it when she’s out of the house. The allergy doctor basically said that her allergies likely contributed to her current sinus problems but likely aren’t the main reason. A lot will be determined when she sees the ENT next month. Even if we were able to remove most allergens (which is impossible) it doesn’t change the fact that she has tiny sinus passages that don’t want to drain (like me). It could also be that she has a fungal problem and that will make a big difference in how it has to be treated. So we’ll just do what we reasonably can for now and see what the ENT says. |
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Post by nlwilkins on Apr 10, 2019 5:04:12 GMT
Don't forget to vacum under the bed! I tested as allergic to dust mites and have done all the mentioned things above. A few things I might mention is to change the comforter to a thin bedspread, one that is easy to wash. A textured blanket type one might work best. You can get them cheaper at Tuesday Morning and perhaps get two or three so as to be able to change them out more often. I am serious about vacumming under the bed - with a queen size bed you might have to lift up the matress to do a good job. We had a king and I would lift the mattress up from the head and tilt/lean it to the wall at the foot of the bed to be able to get in and vacum. It was a chore I did once a week for many years.
It sounds like she has a lot of stuff on her bed. You might minimize your work by switching out to a twin size bed or if you need room for an extra person, a bunk bed. Twin sheets and bedspreads are a lot eaiser to wash than queen. Check out the curains. Are they washable? use short curtains instead of long ones, easier to wash. Mite proof matress covers need to be changed out periodically. Check the info sheet you get with them. I am thinking it was once a year, but maybe they have changed since I used them. Use foam pillows, no feathers. Get cheap matresses that can be discarded and replaced every few years. I am sure I don't have to tell you not to get used ones.
This will be a way of life for her, routines need to be started and learned now that will be used her entire life. Its a shame she won't use a Neti Pot, but that is something that can't be forced and I completely understand her revulsion. Maybe you can introduce it to her gradually. Like at first just get some of the water in the nose and let it run back out. Even that would help. If she persist in using the saiine spray, learn how to make your own and make sure she uses it several times a day or more.
Sinus infections can be real serious. I had a sphenoid infections that turned into a fungus ball. It crystalized and was a major hassel to remove. The first ENT could not do it so had the surgery twice and the second one had to do major work making the opening to the sphenoid larger so he could get in and do what needed to be done. There is such a thin wall between your sphenoid and your brain...don't want to scare you but it can get hairy. Just can't stress enough how serious you need to take this.
About the needle thing - those shots really helped me. I eventually learned how to give them to myself and found then not nearly as scary as when someone else was giving me them. The needle is tiny and short and so easy to do. You pinch up a bunch of skin and fat on your leg and poke the needle into that. The pinching seems to help numb the needle stick.
OOPS got so long sorry
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LeaP
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Posts: 3,939
Location: Los Angeles, CA where 405 meets 101
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Post by LeaP on Apr 10, 2019 15:35:34 GMT
Can you put hepa filters in your HVAC and vacuum? The first time I was in a home with a hepa filter and a bunch of cats was nothing short of miraculous. Hours passed and no asthma. I would vacuum with a hepa filter vacuum cleaner and put a hepa in your HVAC system.
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mallie
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Post by mallie on Apr 10, 2019 19:28:02 GMT
Vacuum frequently -- minimum once a week, including using the attachments to do the edges and corners. Move furniture, especially beds. But make sure YOU wear a mask. A friend developed dust mite allergies due to vacuuming frequently to combat her dd's dust mite allergy.
Deco pillows -- they need to go. Sorry. But they need to go.
Curtains -- need to go.
Bedding -- blankets can be the Vellux which can handle weekly hot water washing. They also wear like iron.
Shots -- Same friend's dd was terrified of the shots. After about 25 of them, she got over her fear. It was difficult to deal with her fear (and screaming), but it was a necessity, so they plowed through. Now, the kid doesn't even flinch.
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I agree that it would really help if we could get her to do it. In the meantime she will use the mist type saline nasal spray so at least that’s something.
