Allergies bad in my home.....how/what to check for?

[ChristusG]

My allergies have been horrible here lately. We went out of town a few days ago and they seemed to get better. Now that we're home, they seem to be acting up again. Not sure if it's a coincidence or not. Also, before we left, my nephew (who lives with us) had quite a few nosebleeds. While we were gone he had none. Now that we're back (just got back yesterday) he's had one today. Not sure if it's related or not. My husband and three daughters seem to have no issues.

 

We do not live in an "old" home. It was built in the late 80's. We've had no water leakage that we know of (unless there's something behind the walls that we are clueless about). I'm wondering if it's something in the house that causing my allergies to act up? But not sure what it could be.

 

Do HVAC systems need to be periodically checked/cleaned? I'm wondering if there could be mold or something growing in the HVAC system? Is that a possibility? My husband seems to think not....but he's not very handy and hasn't checked into it himself. I'm not even sure who I would contact to check for allergens in a house? Anyone know?

[sbgrace]

Is the home new to you? If it's not new have you had any recent remodeling or similar new materials brought in that could be reactive? Do you have known indoor allergens? Outdoor?

 

With my son when he's worsening it's often that he's actually responding to something outside rather than inside. Tree pollens in some areas are starting now. My son starts to have trouble in mid to late February due to trees and we're in Southern Indiana. I'm sure the trees hit earlier where it's warmer. Either way a HEPA unit inside helps him and might help you. I'd try to make your bedroom allergy friendly (my son showers before bed so he's not bringing allergens into the bed with him and he has a HEPA in his room). A HEPA unit in the main living area (this one) helps him a lot including with outdoor things coming inside.

[Spryte]

Is the home new to you? If it's not new have you had any recent remodeling or similar new materials brought in that could be reactive? Do you have known indoor allergens? Outdoor?

 

With my son when he's worsening it's often that he's actually responding to something outside rather than inside. Tree pollens in some areas are starting now. My son starts to have trouble in mid to late February due to trees and we're in Southern Indiana. I'm sure the trees hit earlier where it's warmer. Either way a HEPA unit inside helps him and might help you. I'd try to make your bedroom allergy friendly (my son showers before bed so he's not bringing allergens into the bed with him and he has a HEPA in his room). A HEPA unit in the main living area (this one) helps him a lot including with outdoor things coming inside.

 

 

Ditto this. Also, if there is anything new in the house (as mentioned above), DS reacts strongly. Took us several years to figure out that our yearly spring remodeling was *not* a good thing!

[ChristusG]

I have both indoor and outdoor allergies (dust, mold, pollen, smoke, cats, ragweed, grass.... Just to name a few). We've been in this house for 8.5 years now. Only thing that's changed is that we've been using a housekeeper....but she quit due to the drive out to our house. But she says she used natural stuff. She hasn't cleaned in three weeks though, so I'm not sure that would be it. I'm so tired of not being able to breathe through my nose.

[sbgrace]

Did they start when she was cleaning? My son's allergies don't care if something is natural! I'd suspect I was reacting to something she used if the allergies correspond to the new cleaning. The remnants of products used could still be there.

 

Have you tried allergy meds?

 

I forgot to mention in my previous post but the nose bleeds are, very likely, from dry air...or picking...or both.

[Spryte]

I have both indoor and outdoor allergies (dust, mold, pollen, smoke, cats, ragweed, grass.... Just to name a few). We've been in this house for 8.5 years now. Only thing that's changed is that we've been using a housekeeper....but she quit due to the drive out to our house. But she says she used natural stuff. She hasn't cleaned in three weeks though, so I'm not sure that would be it. I'm so tired of not being able to breathe through my nose.

 

We've had problems with some housekeepers' supplies - even when they say they are "natural"... Sometimes the stuff labeled natural is bad for allergies, too. Also, some of the housekeepers had cats and were bringing in dander - that made it worse for us. Also, if she's not changing the vacuum bag between houses, the mop head, and other cleaning staples - she could be bringing allergens from other homes.