Asthma management

[WoolC]

My allergy triggered asthma is getting progressively worse and I’m ready to make big changes to manage it.  I’ve been trying to work with my primary care doctor but I’m requesting a referral to a specialist so that I have a better medication plan in action.  We’re planning to use our tax return to rip up the carpet and install vinyl plank floorings.  I’ve purchased hypoallergenic mattress and pillow covers and I’ve been decluttering to make weekly dusting easier.  I’ve read most of these recommendations here on the boards, so thank you for that!

My question is how does everyone deal with dust on all of your books?  We have multiple bookshelves in every room and while I’ve pared down the collection quite a bit, I’m not ready to part with what is left.  
 

Also, what have you found works best for window coverings?  I’m planning to remove our long drapes.  We have wide slat vinyl blinds, but I’m realistically not going to be able to wipe them all down each week and they seem to be dust magnets.  Any low maintenance options out there?  

[prairiewindmomma]

I vacuum the tops of the books and push the books back and wipe along the front of the cases. Once a year a kid does a deep vacuum of wiping of the shelves for me because bunnies will accumulate.

Roller blinds are a replacement option, otherwise, what I do is use an attachment on my vacuum. It looks like an amoeba. I use the same one to vacuum the tops of my ceiling fans.

[WoolC]

22 minutes ago, prairiewindmomma said:

I vacuum the tops of the books and push the books back and wipe along the front of the cases. Once a year a kid does a deep vacuum of wiping of the shelves for me because bunnies will accumulate.

Roller blinds are a replacement option, otherwise, what I do is use an attachment on my vacuum. It looks like an amoeba. I use the same one to vacuum the tops of my ceiling fans.

Thanks!  Mind if I ask what kind of vacuum you have?  I have a shark that I really like, but the attachments don’t fit between the tops of the books and the shelf above.

[Acadie]

If you can get some bookshelves with glass doors that helps keep dust out and reduces the need to vacuum. Keeping books out of bedrooms and being strategic about placing shelves with glass doors can make a difference.

I don't have any great tricks on cleaning books--I put on a mask and vacuum books individually with a brush attachment once a year.

Do you have forced air heat? If so, be very picky about duct cleaning services, because most of them only reach a few feet into the duct. If you can find a cleaner who uses a HEPA filter and a duct you might notice a big difference. 

Any potential mold issues in the house? Basements, attics, and areas around plumbing, windows, chimneys or peeling paint are the places to look.

Amy

[Carol in Cal.]

You can use a feather duster or one of those lambswool duster sticks to dust the tops of books.  

Washable curtains are better than drapes for allergies, because you can wash them easily.  Make sure that they don’t brush the floor.  Those heavy canvas tab curtains from a few years back are heavier than most curtains but are still washable.  I have those in our bedroom.  You can put shades behind them (we did).  But another good approach is wide slatted wooden blinds (like from Hunter).  They are rigid enough to be easy to dust, not like the vinyl or thin metal ones.  They have black out capability, and some degree of temperature insulation, and they are pretty attractive.

I’d suggest focusing the hardest on the bedroom.  That’s where folks spend the most time, and also it’s time spent lying down, contributing to congestion build up and reflux, both of which contribute to asthma.

[WoolC]

1 hour ago, Acadie said:

If you can get some bookshelves with glass doors that helps keep dust out and reduces the need to vacuum. Keeping books out of bedrooms and being strategic about placing shelves with glass doors can make a difference.

I don't have any great tricks on cleaning books--I put on a mask and vacuum books individually with a brush attachment once a year.

Do you have forced air heat? If so, be very picky about duct cleaning services, because most of them only reach a few feet into the duct. If you can find a cleaner who uses a HEPA filter and a duct you might notice a big difference. 

Any potential mold issues in the house? Basements, attics, and areas around plumbing, windows, chimneys or peeling paint are the places to look.

Amy

Thanks for the tip on finding a duct cleaner, that’s on our list and I wouldn’t have thought that most only clean a few feet.  No mold signs, but I’ll have dh check around the attic as well.

[WoolC]

59 minutes ago, happysmileylady said:

Call my kid a millenial, but, she doesn't keep a lot of books.  She has asthma that has been difficult to manage, it took a large number of years to find a good control med.  Hers didn't manifest until she was in college so it was a bit rough figuring it out.

But yeah, she doesn't keep many books in the house.  As a young adult who reads, but also a young adult in this very digital age, she has rid herself of many physical books, and either uses ebooks or the library.  

As far as window coverings....in a small apartment (one bedroom because she's only one person) she has drapes that she just takes down and washes.  They aren't heavy drapes and I want to say they are basic cotton, but honestly, I don't know.  I only know she takes them down and washes them (at my mom's house, because she lives close to her grandma and that's a free washer) on a semi regular basis.  

 I’m technically a millennial too, lol.  I read a lot on my kindle, but it’s just not a replacement for real books for me yet.  Maybe I’ll get there one day.
 

[prairiewindmomma]

I have an older Dyson. I looked for the tool name. I couldn’t find the exact tool, but the closest is the soft dusting brush.

Duct cleaning made no difference for us. Getting rid of carpet and using mattress and pillow covers was 80% improvement. We also switched to leather furniture and washable curtains but we didn’t see as big of a bump in asthma management.

[prairiewindmomma]

Coming back to add...lambswool/soft fluffy dusters are awful for me. They never come fully clean. I have to either vacuum with a HEPA filter or use microfiber cloths I can sterilize in the washer (I have a superheat sterilize cycle on my washer). Either way, I wear nitrile gloves when cleaning or I have hives. I clean often and well, I am just super allergic.

[WoolC]

25 minutes ago, prairiewindmomma said:

Coming back to add...lambswool/soft fluffy dusters are awful for me. They never come fully clean. I have to either vacuum with a HEPA filter or use microfiber cloths I can sterilize in the washer (I have a superheat sterilize cycle on my washer). Either way, I wear nitrile gloves when cleaning or I have hives. I clean often and well, I am just super allergic.

I’ve had this same problem with the fluffy dusters.  I seem to scatter dust all over the place with them and can’t get them clean.  I definitely think the vacuum with HEPA filter would be best; I just need to find one with an attachment that will fit.  I’ve tried to use mine that way in the past but it’s very awkward.  I’ve started wearing a mask and gloves when cleaning as well.  I tested positive for dust allergies when I was 11 but it’s gotten so much worse since I developed asthma after having pneumonia 3 years ago.

[SamanthaCarter]

Books: cull, cull cull. Only keep the best and the most nostalgic. Then dust what you have left on a regular (no less than once a month) basis. It’s a little sad to own so few books, but your health will thank you. 

[SamanthaCarter]

Windows: replace blinds with retractable shades. Or if you don’t really need them, remove them. Wash drapes or curtains every six months or so. 

[melmichigan]

I'll add this suggestion, because I didn't know how much it would be a game changer for me. Feel free to disregard.  Look into treating the allergy either through shots (I tried 20 years ago and don't tolerate) or oral drops.  I'm a year and a half into the LaCross Method of oral drop therapy, with three months until maintenance.  It's a commitment, but being off medications I've been dependent on for decades is a game changer.

Edited January 28, 2020 by melmichigan

[Ottakee]

When you talk to the doctor, see about daily allergy meds, daily Flonase (HUGE factor here) and daily preventative inhaler.  Those along with hitting any signs of symptoms hard and fast has made a huge difference here.

[TravelingChris]

My daughter who has very bad allergy asthma, is on Nucala, a biologic.  I have milder asthma and am on Dynamist (both flonase and azestaline combined). on Advair 500/50 and on Singulair 10mg.  My daughter is also on the high dose of Advair, no nasal drops since she can't tolerate them, no singulair since it gives her psychiatric side effects, but also takes another inhaler during the Spring pollen months.  Neither one of us has a dust mite allergy.  If you do not have that, getting rid of dust won't help allergic asthma.

[WoolC]

48 minutes ago, melmichigan said:

I'll add this suggestion, because I didn't know how much it would be a game changer for me. Feel free to disregard.  Look into treating the allergy either through shots (I tried 20 years ago and don't tolerate) or oral drops.  I'm a year and a half into the LaCross Method of oral drop therapy, with three months until maintenance.  It's a commitment, but being off medications I've been dependent on for decades is a game changer.

You’re the 3rd person this week that I’ve heard recommend oral drop therapy.  I’ll definitely check into it.  Thanks!

[WoolC]

23 minutes ago, Ottakee said:

When you talk to the doctor, see about daily allergy meds, daily Flonase (HUGE factor here) and daily preventative inhaler.  Those along with hitting any signs of symptoms hard and fast has made a huge difference here.

 

17 minutes ago, TravelingChris said:

My daughter who has very bad allergy asthma, is on Nucala, a biologic.  I have milder asthma and am on Dynamist (both flonase and azestaline combined). on Advair 500/50 and on Singulair 10mg.  My daughter is also on the high dose of Advair, no nasal drops since she can't tolerate them, no singulair since it gives her psychiatric side effects, but also takes another inhaler during the Spring pollen months.  Neither one of us has a dust mite allergy.  If you do not have that, getting rid of dust won't help allergic asthma.

I do have a dust mite allergy, along with mold, cats and dogs.  I’ve been on daily allergy meds since I was 11, different combinations over the years.  I began a daily maintenance inhaler 3 years ago after being hospitalized with pneumonia.  Unfortunately, my medication doesn’t seem to be effective anymore.  We’ve put off doing substantial home changes to reduce dust due to cost and general life craziness, but my health is reaching a point that can’t be ignored.

[WoolC]

1 hour ago, SamanthaCarter said:

Books: cull, cull cull. Only keep the best and the most nostalgic. Then dust what you have left on a regular (no less than once a month) basis. It’s a little sad to own so few books, but your health will thank you. 

I know you’re right, but baby steps!

[almondbutterandjelly]

Vertical blinds were the answer for us.  They don't hold the dust like horizontal blinds.  You can get them cut to fit any size window.

Air purifiers, especially in the bedroom.  

Really great air filters for the a/c/heater.  Like Allergan brand expensive ones.

[melmichigan]

On 1/27/2020 at 9:14 PM, WoolC said:

You’re the 3rd person this week that I’ve heard recommend oral drop therapy.  I’ll definitely check into it.  Thanks!

Make sure you "interview" a few doctors if you go this route.  My local allergist wanted to charge me $400-$500 for three months of drops because he'd formulate them.  (He really pushed shots because they make more money on them.)  Instead I travel an hour and a half every three months to see a doctor that uses the La Cross Method.  My insurance covers all the testing and office visits and I only pay $122 for three months of drops using the Allergy Choices pharmacy.  Once I hit maintenance I only have to go once a year.  The La Cross is three times a day optimally, but can be twice a day.

Edited January 30, 2020 by melmichigan

[J-rap]

Switching over to a good allergy/asthma doctor can make a huge difference.  Ours was terrific.  She found (through trial and error) a regiment that really worked for my dd.

Have you had an allergy test? (Do you know household things that you're allergic to?)  I often wondered if those allergy shots would help with asthma.  We never looked into that.  

When my dd and her new husband were moving into my parents' home while they job and apartment-hunted (my parents had turned one floor into kind of an apartment, except without a kitchen), it had only really been surface cleaned for years.  (My parents were 85 at the time.)  I was really worried about my dd's health there -- so much clutter and dust, and lots of people with pets had stayed on that floor over the years.  I decided to clean every inch of it before my dd arrived.  I started with the ceiling and walls.  I first vacuumed and then scrubbed everything down, also removing and gently washing (not just dusting) all pictures.  I removed any textured wall-hangings altogether.  I thoroughly washed all curtains, pillows, blankets, etc.  I washed all hard-surfaced furniture.  In the bedroom, I removed everything except the empty bookshelves and empty drawers and empty closet.  (Knowing my dd would be filling them up with some things, but things that were clean and hadn't yet collected dust.)  In other rooms, I left books in one area, but damp dusted every one of them, and anything else that sat on the shelves and end tables.  I damp dusted all lamp shades.  I washed all windows.  I took apart the bed in the bedroom and vacuumed everything (all the pet hair that accumulated between mattresses!), and then thoroughly washed everything down (mattresses, etc.).  I ended with the floor.  My parents had carpet throughout most of that floor and that had to stay (we had removed it from our own house), but I vacuumed it with my parents' dyson vacuum and then rented a carpet cleaner.  I went over the entire carpet probably three times, and also cleaned any upholstered furniture. 

Ugh, it was such a huge undertaking, but it was worth it.  My dd said she felt better than she'd felt in years!  That really told us how much things like old dust, pet hair, etc., were affecting her, even though the surface looked clean.

Anyway, I don't know if you can do something like that or not.  (And I'd think you'd need to get someone else to do it for you so it doesn't trigger your asthma!)  But it sure made a difference for my dd.