The World’s Dustiest House
Okay…it’s not only because I had to fire my housekeeper a few months ago. That’s not the reason. Even she admitted that she’d never seen a dustier house than mine…and this was when she came every week.
My house is dusty and I don’t know why!!!!
We had all of our duct work redone last summer…though it took summer through winter to get it right. We’ve had dust “experts” come out and inspect…they see nothing wrong. We’ve redone our dryer vent. We change the filters on our air conditioner religiously every month. We have had no less than FOUR air conditioner companies and our electric company come out and do inspections and seal leaks in the new duct work.
We replaced the duct work, btw, because of mold. So now, not only do we have new duct work, we also have a UV light in our air handler to stop the growth of mold…and we replace it every year.
So why is my house so dusty?!?!?!?
Normally, I wouldn’t care. I’m not a great housekeeper and I don’t care who knows it. However, for the last few nights, my daughter hasn’t been able to sleep because of congestion. She doesn’t have a cold. It starts only after she goes into her room to read and then go to sleep. She’s fine when she goes in, but 30 minutes later, she’s stuffed up and can’t breathe and she can’t sleep, which means I can’t sleep and people, I get the minimum amount as it is, so this has to stop!
I put her back on Claritin (she developed pollen allergies last year…first time ever) and today, decided to give her room a really thorough dusting and vacuum. I’ve since learned this is not a job that can be completed in a single day. I’ve moved out her Toys-R-Us sized collection of stuffed animals and tomorrow, we’ll dust each one individually with the vacuum cleaner. I’m taking her bedding to the dry cleaners to get a good cleaning. I’ve ordered an air purifier just for her room.
What else can I do???
Don’t believe me how dusty her room is? Check out this photo of a doll that was on her shelf. Poor doll has turned grey…
If anyone has any suggestions as to where this dust is coming from (please don’t suggest I get a new housekeeper…trust me, that happens when the child goes back to school!)…I’d sure love to hear them!!
I wish I could help you Julie but I am the world’s worst cleaner ever. Hate it with a passion. Too bad I can’t turn that passion into the need to clean, but alas, I’ve failed miserably. I do wish you luck on the dust issue, and I hope your daughter feels better soon, poor kid.
Comment by Stacy ~ — July 25, 2007 @ 6:26 am
I don’t know where the dust could be coming from. I have a similiar problem in my house, but I think that is because of the open windows. I hope that your daughter feels better soon, and that you get some sleep.
Comment by Jen Hall — July 25, 2007 @ 8:21 am
I’m also the worst about dusting my house. I need to have a housekeeper too. I’m allergic to dust and when I dust my house I have an allergy attack. I do know that my doctor told me to make sure there were as few set arounds in the room and to wash all sheets and blankets in hot water every week plus to put a dust mite cover on all my pillows and mattress. Sounds like it might help your daughter. My middle niece has some of my same allergies and her doctor told them to take all stuffed animals out of her room since they are a breeding ground for the dust mites(she was 6 at the time so they just washed them each week in hot water).
Comment by Liza — July 25, 2007 @ 8:40 am
Sounds crazy, but I’ve heard of carrying the mattresses and pillows outside and letting them bake in the sun for a day. Something about the UV rays kills dustmites that are in those, and there isn’t any other way to get them out. I’ve had to do the allergy free mattress pads and pillow covers for all of us because my house is extremely dusty too, but I’m surrounded by farmland so I have an explanation.
I’d like to share something else real quick too. I feel like the Plotmonkey family is an extended family and I’ll be really brief. Last Thursday I commented about some health news hubby had received. He’s been having problems with his neck and just to be cautious the doctor did an MRI.
The good news is, his neck is fine. The bad news is, they found a large, deeply imbedded mass in his brain. The good news is, they’re pretty sure it’s the kind that grows very, very slowly and is often benign or very low grade malignacy (not aggressive). The bad news, they can’t get it all.
We go to Duke next Thursday for surgery and once they’ve removed what they can then they’ll know more about what we’re dealing with and how to go about treating the remaining part. I told Janelle I’ve prayed so hard that I keep telling him it’s going to be completely gone by the time they get around to doing the surgery, but I think hubby doubts my manifestation ability
so any prayers of support in that would be deeply appreciated.
I missed hanging out here last week and realized I really do feel like you’re all friends. Hmmm…some might say I need to get a life, but you’re all a great, fun group and a bright spot in my day! Thanks!!!!
Comment by Jodie — July 25, 2007 @ 8:48 am
Jeez, not too brief. Sorry!
Comment by Jodie — July 25, 2007 @ 8:48 am
Jodie, I’m so sorry! I will light a candle for you and your husband at church and say special prayers for both of you as well. Please keep us all updated!
I’m going to check into the sun/UV idea…of course, we’d have to have sun for one whole day, which hasn’t been happening much lately. But you all bring up an interesting point…usually, her stuffed animals, which live on her top bunk, are relatively ignored. This week, she’s been digging through to find certain ones, tossing all of them on the ground and then putting them back up. I think we’ve stirred the dust mites! I can’t wash them all (it would take about 10 loads of laundry…honestly, I’m not kidding) but I might put them in garbage bags and take them out of her room for a while. Great suggestion!
I did vacuum her mattress and washed the sheets and bedding in warm water…hers are color, which is why I didn’t use HOT. I’ll look into the allergy-free sheets.
Thanks and keep the suggestions coming. I’ve never had allergies myself, so I am pretty clueless about how to handle them.
Comment by Julie Leto — July 25, 2007 @ 9:02 am
Wishing you and your husband the best, Jodie. My thoughts and prayers will be with you both during this difficult time.
I agree also regarding stuffed animals; I put the kids stuffed bears a few at a time in a large bag for delicates (large open weave for air to get around in) and toss it in the dryer on fluff for about 10 minutes. I try to do it each month as I love to have the windows open when the weather is decent and know how dusty the house will get. Whatever the problem I hope you are able to discover it soon so your daughter and the rest of your family can remain healthy and well rested.
Comment by Shari C — July 25, 2007 @ 9:32 am
{{Hugs}} Jodie. I’m sorry you and your family is having to go through this. Try to keep the most positive thoughts and I’ll be praying everything turns out well.
Lori
Comment by Lori Borrill — July 25, 2007 @ 9:37 am
Oh no! I sure feel for her. I have dust allergies, too, so I know how much fun they’re not. I’ve got the pillow covers and mattress covers and the electric air purifier… other than that, I dunno. I did see in a catalog once, rectangular foam-like filters that go over the register vents in the ceiling. I thought about ordering them but I either lost/tossed the catalog, so I can’t vouch for their efficiency. Best of luck!
Comment by Erica R — July 25, 2007 @ 9:40 am
have you tried the spray on Febreeze allergen reducer? i would spray this on her mattress etc.. it should help.. it does me.. i know all about dust..i live in the country and love to have the windows open. boy you should see the dirt roll off these gravel roads.. you can write your name anywhere in my house..loll…
I sure will be saying a prayer for you and your family Jodie..how scary that must be to deal with. My cousin had a brain tumor as an infant.. and i remember how scared everyone was in dealing with that.. ((HUGS)) and keep everyone up on how he is doing..
Comment by Jolene — July 25, 2007 @ 9:46 am
Jodie- I’ll add you and your husband to my prayer list and will pass on the information to my class at church. They are awesome prayer warriors and I agree that we can pray the tumor away.
Comment by Liza — July 25, 2007 @ 10:07 am
Jolene, I’d never even heard of this! Thank you so much! I’m going to store today and will pick up the Febreze. I use the regular stuff, but as this allergy thing is still new, I didn’t know about this.
I wish the dust in my house came from open windows…we never open our windows except in Spring and we didn’t this year because of her allergies!
Comment by Julie Leto — July 25, 2007 @ 10:10 am
{{{{{hugs}}}}} to Jodie and her husband…..
Julie, I don’t have a clue, but if someone can help, let me know (I am the worst cleaner, ever, too…that’s why I have a housecleaner….although she doesn’t dust).
Comment by katie — July 25, 2007 @ 10:12 am
Jodie, I’m so sorry to hear — will keep your husband in prayer!
Julie, I haven’t the faintest idea (although I did first think–hey, why is she talking about my house?!)… what a bummer!
Comment by Fedora — July 25, 2007 @ 10:54 am
Hi Julie~ gosh, it sounds like you’re doing everything you can and I don’t have any other suggestions that haven’t been mentioned already. Good luck and I hope your daughter (and you) start sleeping better.
Jodie~ I’ll be thinking of you and your family and am sending well wishes your way! Take care.
Comment by Robin — July 25, 2007 @ 11:35 am
Julie, it’s amazing how dust can collect, but I think it’s just a combination of things, really. Pets. Kids running in and out of the house. Some dust particles sneaking through the vent. It all swirls around and has to settle somewhere!
Jodie, you already know you and your hubby have been in my prayers. I know he’s going to pull through this just fine. You know you have plenty of support here, so please keep us posted on his progress and how things are going.
Comment by Janelle — July 25, 2007 @ 11:37 am
Oh Jodie I am so sorry to hear this!!! He’s so young and healthy looking!! Will definitely be praying for you guys. Please keep us posted, okay!!???
And Julie on your dust problem…be sure to dust the walls in princess’s room. Our bedroom walls in FL used to get SO dusty and it’s not somewhere you usually think to dust. I got a swiffer, put one of the dry clothes on it and ran it up and down over every surface of the walls. Definitely helped with Bruce’s congestion every time I did it.
Comment by Leslie — July 25, 2007 @ 11:46 am
Jody, I’m so sorry to hear this news. I’m thinking of you and your husband and sending prayers and lots of positive energy.
Julie, it’s fortunate that one of your regular PlotMonkey readers happens to be an Industrial Hygienist. With all the changes to your AC system and ducts I’m going to assume that everything is working properly and that you have higher efficiency filtration. By that I mean you’re using better filters than the standard blue mesh that you can read a newspaper through. One thing related to that to check is filter by-pass. The best filter in the world won’t do any good if the air is leaking around it.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to your place but I’m pretty sure I remember carpeting in the bedrooms. One possibility is that dust in the carpeting is being resuspended. Standard vacuum cleaners allow the really fine particles to pass through and they just blow around and settle back on surfaces. Even some of the “HEPA flitered” vacuums don’t do such a great job - again because of filter by-pass. If the HEPA filter isn’t sealed and seated well so that air has to go through it rather than around it, it may as well not even be there.
Dust mites are an issue and are the cause of allergy problems for many people. It’s not actually the dust mites that people are allergic to. It’s an allergen in their feces (sorry for turning up the ick factor). The best thing for mattresses and pillows is to buy covers for them. They’re fabric so they breathe but they have very small pores that the mites can’t fit through. The ones already there will die and new ones can’t get in to make a home. Their food source is skin cells so using the covers together with changing the bedding and washing it in hot water weekly usually controls them really well. The other thing is to remove as much porous material in the bedroom as possible. If the allergy is bad enough that may even mean replacing carpet with tile and getting rid of window treatments. Mites also need moisture which they get from high humidity so it’s recommended that you keep the humidity between 30 to 50%. VERY hard to do in Florida, I know. I’m not so sure putting the mattress outside is such a good idea for that reason. There is a lot of information on the internet but stick to scientifically reputable sources like CDC, or universities and recognized medical organizations. I can give you more info if you need it.
As far as the general dust issue goes, if you really wanted to know you could have the dust tested. I’ve used dust characterization several times before to help figure out the source of some confounding indoor air quality problems. Often it will help to figure out where it’s coming from if you know what’s in it. Unfortunately, analysis runs about $270 per sample. In your case, if the dust is pretty uniform throughout the house I’d suggest a composite sample, that is one sample collected from multiple locations, to keep the cost down. I can help you with that too. You know where to find me
.
Sorry for the long post.
Bruce
Comment by Bruce — July 25, 2007 @ 12:06 pm
You might try a humidifier (hm..sp?). The air might just be too dry in her room and making her nose itchy. My neice gets nose bleeds when the air is too dry. Everytime I wash my sheets, I spray my mattress and pillows down heavily with Lysol and then let them air dry.
Good Luck!
Comment by Keri Ford — July 25, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
As for the thoughts and well-wishes…y’all have absolutely no idea how wonderful it is to pop on here and see all the positive thoughts and prayers. I have a SIL who is determined to turn this into the drama of the century (and her drama at that) and it is so nice to have so many optimistic and positive thoughts sent our way. Thank you, thank you to all of you!!!
Comment by Jodie — July 25, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
Julie here is a link for suggestions for a dustfree bedroom:
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/dustfree.htm
Although, I must admit it sounds a little extreme. I think eliminating some of the stuffed toys will help.
Jodie, My heart and prayers go out to you and your husband.
Comment by Tina Martinesi — July 25, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
Lol Jodie,
She loves us too!
You go Bruce!
Wow, is he thorough. Lucky you Leslie.
Jodie I am a 2 time former cancer patient.
The 2nd worst for me was the fear of the unknown.
The worst was the tears in my loved ones eyes.
Smile and support that all you can do. Listen to doctors when we are
stressed we have trouble absorbing everything.
I found 2 heads better than 1.
Write questions down between appointments
and pass the paper to the doctor saves time and gets you answers.
You know we are all here for you.
Prayers will help you through.
Hugs and Prayers, Jeannie
My puppy giggle for the day:
Hubby and I tried to take pictures of the puppy this morning
before I left for work. What a riot. She never stops moving
when she’s awake and when she’s sleeping she’s a little ball of fur.
Anyway we laughed our @#$% off but no picture yet.
Last night she climbed out of her crate upinto our bed.
She thinks she is a fearless mountain goat.
We woke up with her between us sound asleep with her
head between our pillows. She was so cute.
On my way into work I bought a crate with a top.
Comment by jeannie — July 25, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
Julie, I agree with Bruce about the mattress and pillow covers. As someone with a bad allergy to dust mites, these have been a life saver.
Comment by Cail — July 25, 2007 @ 1:53 pm
I’m happy to make you smile Jody (or
, as the case may be). Don’t stop. And hey, I’m no expert. I just slept in a Holiday Inn Select last night 
.
Everybody, please don’t let my long-winded post keep you from giving Julie suggestions. More suggestions mean more possible soultions.
Comment by Bruce — July 25, 2007 @ 2:19 pm
Jodie, ((((HUGS)))) to you and your husband. I’m sorry you both have to go through this. I will keep positive thoughts for him and keep him in my prayers. Please keep us posted when you have time.
Julie, a friend of mine has a grandson with allergies and his doctor said to get a locally produced honey to help with allergy. You might want to check into that. A company that produces honey here even mentions this in their ad and on the website. What a treasure to have Bruce available with all his knowledge. I think we have all learned something. I have lots of dust here but it is accumulative!!! Also I have windows open most of the time in the summer, spring & fall. We have lots of pollen in this area so allergies can be bad.
Comment by Donna M — July 25, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
I’m so sorry about the dust problems. Seems like Flroida is one of the worst places for dust. After reading everyone’s ideas it sounds like everything has been covered. Hoping that the princess will be able to sleep tonight.
Oh and btw in case you haven’t heard this I thought you’d like to know.
They said on the radio this morning that JK Rowling said there will be “at least” one more book. Said book will be more of backstory and explantation of terms and sorts that have happened during the other books. She went on to say (via the radio host) that many people wanted the backstories on others in the books. How many more she’ll do she would not say but more than likely there will be several more at least.
No withdrawals needed at this point and as Bill pointed out on Erica’s blog when I told him - he can now cancel his shrink’s appt.
Comment by Vicki — July 25, 2007 @ 2:33 pm
Julie, I have asthma and so does one of my children. It may sound crazy, but this is what worked for us:
1. We have NO WALL-TO-WALL CARPET!!! YOU CAN NEVER GET IT CLEAN! When it is steam cleaned, the padding is still dirty, and wet. This is a great breeding ground for mold. Go with wood &/or tile . Also, little bits of carpet fluff are release to make dust when you walk on carpet or vac. it.
2. GET RID OF UPHOLSTERY. All fabric surfaces hold dust. All of our furniture is solid wood and leather. We have throw pillows that are washable. Upholstery holds dust & mold. So do curtains and blinds. We have NO curtains in our house. We had all of our windows replaced with windows that have blinds between the panes of glass. Ours are PELLA, but I think Anderson has them now, too.
3. Get a dust mite proof cover for all mattresses. Replace mattresses every 5 years. Wash pillows weekly–really. Replace pillows every 3 months. This has made a HUGE difference.
4.Get rid of as many stuffed animals, or other cloth items in your child’s bedroom. Treasures can be wiped off with a damp cloth and air-dried in the sun. STORE MOST STUFFED ANIMALS IN DUST MITE PROOF PILLOW CASES, and rotate when toys are out. Keep them OFF of the bed, except the one “special” toy to sleep with.
5. Get a HEPA filter air cleaner for each bedroom–you spend almost 1/3 of your life in bed.
6. Get rid of “popcorn” ceilings. They collect dust and “rain” it down on you.
7. Vac. cleaner should have a HEPA filter on it, so your are not blasting dust throughout the house every time you clean.
8. Run your heat or AC FAN all of the time, or at least all night, to get the most benefit from your air cleaner and filters.
9. Check and see what trees, bushes and grasses you have close to windows. Are they huge pollen producers? Replace them with plants that are more agreeable.
10. Get as much sunshine in your house as possible. Sunshine kills mold, bacteria and viruses.
11. Get houseplants that absorb out-gassing from construction materials. spider plants, philedendrons, snake plants, peace lilies, etc are great air cleaners, but they must be washed off regularly (monthly) to get rid of dust and other particles that build up on their leaves. My big plants get “showers” with the garden hose or in the shower in winter. SOME OF THESE ARE POISONOUS, KEEP UP AND AWAY FROM SMALL CHILDREN AND PETS.
GOOD LUCK
Comment by Fiona — July 25, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
ONE MORE THING—any candles should be bees wax and unscented. Scented candles have oil in them that cause dust to stick to walls and ceilings. Candles that are not wax release chemicals in the air.
Comment by Fiona — July 25, 2007 @ 2:38 pm
Wow! Did I come home to a lot of great suggestions. You know, I consulted Bruce heavily when we had the mold problems (thus the new ductwork and UV light)…but I never even thought to ask him about the dust!!! My bad.
Leslie, you’re right…I never think about dusting walls. And the princess’s room has textured walls that probably pick up more than average paint does.
I just went and picked out a Meila vacuum with a HEPA filter, so we’ll soon be covered there. We have very good filtration, Bruce…we’ve even had the Electric Company come out and do a test, as well as several other companies, including one who is expert on ductwork (and who told us we had a good system and there wasn’t anything they could add.) I’m getting rid of the carpet in the living room, which will leave us with carpet only in the bedrooms since we have wood or tile everywhere else. There’s no way I can get my husband to give up carpeting in the bedroom…trust me, I’ve tried.
Our upholstery is mostly leather. I have a few pieces that aren’t…but not many and none in my daughter’s room except her rocking chair, which is on its way out.
No adding humidity to my air, Keri! I live in Florida, remember? I get nosebleeds when I go anywhere west of the Rockies! My skin cracks and dries…living in Florida is almost like living partially underwater, LOL! A DEhumidifier maybe,.
I saw the mattress/pillow covers at the vacuum cleaner store, which is like Allergy Central. I’ll pick some up when I go back to pick up the vacuum. Would have walked out with it today, but a large purchase such as this requires husband-input. He’s going by there tonight on his way home from work. Hopefully, by the weekend, this will all be worked out.
I’m also going over to Target to get the Febreze and the bags to put the stuffed animals away in. They can come back out after they’ve been HEPA vacuumed, Febrezed and when the air purifier arrives, which should be on Friday.
Thanks everyone! If there’s anything we haven’t thought of please share!!!
Comment by Julie Leto — July 25, 2007 @ 2:54 pm
Hi Julie :-)
I did a little research for you on the Internet and breifly this is what I found:
Houses tend to become dustier with age. The reasons can vary. Carpet fibers begin to fragment with increased wear. Carpet tends to collect lot of particles that are tracked in or shed from pets. Unless the carpet is vaccumed frequently the particles fly back up into the air when people or pets walk on the carpet. Also dust can come in from insulation being drawn through cold air returns located in attics.
One more thing, we have some friends who live in Vegas and they have given up on fighting dust. It’s very windy there and dust is blown through the casements around the windows. No matter how well they are sealed they still get this fine, gold dust on everything.
Hope this helps :-)
Cher
Comment by Cher — July 25, 2007 @ 3:26 pm
Still in Florida on vacation … but had this problem with the allergies with Jen … can’t say what is causing the dust - but have her pick her few fav stuffed animals and the rest OUT of the room. They are dust collectors. WASH her sheets and everything in HOT water. Buy one of those filter things. My old pediatrician suggested we cover the top of her air vent with the air conditioner filter on the OUTSIDE of the vent. Ugly but helpful. We never did it … just didn’t have the drive to try it. You could also call a company in and have them check; blow out the vents, etc. Sigh. Sorry! I know it’s a pain.
Comment by Carly — July 25, 2007 @ 3:31 pm
Ive never heard of Meila brand vaccuums.. I clean house for an elderly gentleman and he has a Dyson purple animal.. I was going to suggest one of those.. His house is shut most of the time, and i am amazed every week how much dust and junk i suck out of this mans carpet. He lives alone and is clean and neat.. so i cant imagine where it all comes from…
i think the room purifier is a great idea too..sounds like you are on your way to a very allergy free home…
Comment by Jolene — July 25, 2007 @ 4:26 pm
This sounds crazy Julie but I notice if my windows are open my house is very dusty. Because of this my windows are hardly ever open. I have also heard that the fibers of your carpet create alot of dust. How true that is I don’t know. Jodie, you and my husband are in my prayers. Just remember to keep your chin up and take one day at at time.
Comment by Tina — July 25, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
Bruce: Is there anything you can’t do or don’t know? Just wondering. I am going to pass that information along to hubby. He doesn’t believe me when I say we need to get our a/c cleaned out.
Comment by katie — July 25, 2007 @ 5:01 pm
Julie- I bet we could have a contest as to the dustiest house. Mine doesn’t have dust bunnies- it has dust elephants. It doesn’t matter if I vaccuum, sweep and mop daily either. It is awful. They win. I know having 2 :doggie: and 2
doesn’t help, but they don’t shed that much!
I do use the allergy covers on the mattresses and pillows. I am also slowly replacing all the pillows with the memory foam ones, which are comfy, don’t get mites and are allery free. They also make memory foam pads for the mattresses which are nice.
As for throwing my mattress out every 5 years and buying a new one- NO WAY!! I compromised when we got married and got rid of my nice heated water bed- but did get a Select Comfort Air Mattress (top of the line one) as a prize. I love it and wouldn’t change it for anything. The nice thing is- the cover is totally replaceable and instead of a box spring it has a metal frame covered with foam that is then encased in a quilted covering. Ever look in a box spring and see all the dust that collects?? When I need to I can just pop my vaccuum in and clean it out.
As for her stuffies- when you go to put them back, pop them in the dryer on fluff with allergy free dryer sheets, and let that pull all the dust out too. You may not even need to wash them (some won’t survive it).
My basement tends to flood, we are over a small creek that runs downhill to the Hudson River, so the basement is always musty. I have recently found white fluffy stuff growing where it shouldn’t. I told hubby we need a dehumidifier down there. Along with a big dumpster so we can throw all the crap his kids, late wife and parents left down there.
I am glad I can open my windows in the summer to air this place out- especially after a long winter. I would go nuts without fresh air!!
Comment by ev — July 25, 2007 @ 5:01 pm
And in a seperate note- Jodie- I will keep you both in my prayers.
Comment by ev — July 25, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
I could never wash her stuffies. No way. She’d kill me. I’ve tried to surface wash some of them, but it just ruins them. I’ll try the dryer.
ev, I only have one dog…and she doesn’t really shed. Only in the spot where she sleeps…and she’s been banished from the princess’s room. Even the guinea pig lives on the other side of the house. (Remember when his scratching was causing nightmares? Oy!)
Let it be known right now that I’m annoyed as all get-out that Publix doesn’t carry Febreze for Allergens. I couldn’t make it to Target. Tomorrow. But darn it! I’m so tired of having to make two-three trips to different stores because Publix chooses to carry SEVEN different scents of regular Febreze (eight if you count the one for your car) and doesn’t carry the ONE that I need! ARGH!
Comment by Julie Leto — July 25, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
Julie- Has your daughter been tested for allergies yet? There are test now that just require a blood test rather than the skin test(multiply small injections under the skin for all allergens). I also get allergy shots every two weeks and take allergy meds everyday. I think there is a liquid allergy med you can get from the clinic that would be just like taking shots each time. My allergist likes the shots, so I haven’t tried the oral allergen yet, but I know there are clinics that do give out the oral allergen as well as the allergen/allergy shots.
Comment by Liza — July 25, 2007 @ 5:41 pm
Liza, My son and I have been doing the oral allergen therapy for over a year. It has really helped! We both have food allergies, along with dust, plooen and chemical allergies. I sit through a whole movie without needing an antihistimine.
Comment by Fiona — July 25, 2007 @ 5:58 pm
Jodie,
My Thoughts and Prayers are with you and you hubby. Please keep us posted on how it makes out at Duke.
Comment by Cherylann — July 25, 2007 @ 7:01 pm
Oh Jodie, BIG hugs. We miss you too and our thoughts and prayers are with you both. I believe in the power of prayer and positive thinking. :love2: Carly
Comment by Carly — July 25, 2007 @ 7:05 pm
WOW JUlie you got some good tips today and I was going to say some of the suggestions also since my son has allergies also.
I do have the allergy pillow cover and I put all of his stuffed animals away (he is 13). He cleans his room every week and I use Pledge allergy spray.
Hope your daughter feels better soon and you get some sleep.
Comment by Cherylann — July 25, 2007 @ 7:06 pm
I only use Claritin when I run out of the really good stuff. My Zyrtec covers pollen/dust/pets, etc…
And my house is just as dusty. Every home I’ve ever lived in has been this way. I do clean, but the dang dust settles seconds after. Drives me insane. And I have no idea where it is all coming from.
Comment by Heather Harper — July 25, 2007 @ 8:15 pm
Katie, there’s quite a lot that I can’t do. Leslie would confirm that my interests are many and varied so I know a little bit about a lot of things. Basically it makes me a pretty good Trivial Pursuit partner.
Comment by Bruce — July 25, 2007 @ 8:50 pm
Julie, I live in the same city you do, and I’ve never had a dustier house in my life than when I moved here 8 years ago. I b***ch about it all the time. My only theory is that it comes from all the construction we have here. I live in an area where a new house or chain restaurant goes up every 3.5 minutes and all my neighbors are simultaneously installing granite countertops and digging a pool. The best way I’ve come up with battling the problem so far is to keep a swiffer duster by the phone. Whenever I talk on the phone, I dust! At least that way, I don’t feel like I’m spending my whole life cleaning the house. Good luck, and if you figure it out, let me know. PLEASE!
Comment by Wendi — July 25, 2007 @ 9:22 pm
Ah…another possibility… I hopped over to Lori Borrill’s blog and she was talking about how she loves rain in part because it waters the plants and washes dust away. Maybe we can blame this darn drought that afternoon thunderstorms plus water on three sides and all underneath our state can’t seem to remedy!
Comment by Wendi — July 25, 2007 @ 9:42 pm
Hey y’all, I just wanted to say thank you again for all the support and prayers. Hubby told someone this evening he was counting on the MRI showing it to be gone so maybe he is beginning to believe. I’ve passed on your thoughts and well-wishes, and especially the hugs. He was very appreciative. Thanks again!!
Comment by Jodie — July 25, 2007 @ 10:20 pm
I second (thrid or fourth … ) the dryer … or maybe you can convince your daughter that her animals need a bathtub party - so they’re having their own fun in the washing machine (gentle cycle) …
seriously, … it worked when my mom told me that when I was very little. Good Luck!
Comment by Yolanda — July 25, 2007 @ 10:53 pm
You don’t happen to have any dogs do you? My dogs kick up dust/dirt in the carpet all the time. I have to steam clean every couple of months to keep the dust levels down.
Comment by Shelly @ Bewitched — July 26, 2007 @ 6:40 am
You can also put stuffed animals in the freezer for 24 hours to kills dust mites. Just be sure to bag them first.
Comment by Another Yolanda — December 22, 2007 @ 4:58 pm