Anyone Else Allergic to Dust?

[Chattyaholic]

In the past year I've had a few bouts of "wheezing" occasionally, wondering if I was developing asthma or something. Then yesterday I "dug in" and gave the bedroom a thorough cleaning, something I hadn't done in...oh...let's say....awhile. After a couple of hours I started wheezing, my chest felt tight, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, itchy/watery eyes. I spent most of the day in there. The wheezing stopped an hour or so after I finally got out of there, but the sneezing/runny nose has still lasted into today. Could I be allergic to dust??? I never have a problem with vacuuming/dusting the rest of the house (but I don't let it get as bad as the bedroom got). Anyone else experience these symptoms?

 

[WilmaBud]

I'm allergic to dust. My husband does the dusting because it can make me really sick. If I just do a little, it's okay. But if I do a big cleaning like you did, I suffer for it.

 

[cassie]

I'm in-charge of a good sized stockroom for an electronics firm. Since it's a locked room, night maintence doesn't even come in to empty the wastebaskets, nevermind sweeping the floors. I have shelves 10' high. Me, I'm only 5' I'm so busy getting parts to the assembly lines, there is no time to clean. I start sneezing and get head cold symtoms when handling the really dusty stuff. I swear I'm allergic too. Usually the day before a shutdown, or vacation, or a long holiday weekend I borrow a vacuum and try to clean off the shelves. I am miserable when I do that.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I developed environmental allergies as an adult, they get worse every year. Dust is just one of them. I was on shots for 10 years, 2 every week, and when I get retested, not only am I still allergic to everything from the previous times, but even more. Best no shot solution I have found is Claritin. I have tried the others but they don't work. You may want to go to an allergist and see if there is anything to help relieve your symtems.

Chatty, I think this is all the more reason to have DH do the housecleaning, mine does it for me, because he knows how bad I get. Plus, he loves me!

 

[DiznEeyore]

I'm allergic to dust, too. Dh does most of the dusting/vacuuming thing and we make sure to turn our air cleaner on high when he does. That helps a lot!

 

[Lanshark]

I am also. I take Allegra to handle most allergy symptoms for seasonal allergies. I am not sure it does too much for the dust situation. I find my problems increase when I have so spend any amount of time around large quantities of dust. When we took the Christmas decorations out of the attic I had a lot of problems. Likewise when I take the books off the shelves to clean them or help DH clean the garage. My problems with dust have increased as I have gotten older.

 

[mom2boys]

I too am allergic to dust. A small amount won't bother me but when I dig into those places that have been ignored, I know it. Last time I did this I accidentally scratched my arm. Nothing major, didn't even realize I had done it. Well, that little scratch swelled up & turned red all around. As DiznEyore stated, the air cleaner is a must after major dusting.

 

[Snow White]

I am....but Claritan D 24 works wonders for me. My DS is also allergic to dust, but he uses Zyrtec and it really works well for him. Hope you get it figured out, I know it's miserable to feel like that!

 

[Shellie722]

I am allergic to dust too and found that Allegra which was great for seasonal allergies ddn't help w/ dust at all. My allergist switched me to zyrtec which helps quite a bit. Also, using the dry swiffer cloths when I dust seems to help since they kinda grab the dust w/out stirring it up into the air as much.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You have gotten good suggestions so far, but I would add you might want to try a dust mask when you do housework. I hate them, but they do work.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

As I am allergic I say "DUH" to dianeschlicht's post. Now why didn't I ever do THAT?!

 

[Tina]

I recently started wearing a dust mask while cleaning heavily dusty areas (such as the bedroom). In the past, my habit of periodic deep cleanings rather than regular dusting would end in severe sinus problems. Since I started wearing the mask, my nose doesn't even run while cleaning.

 

[Chattyaholic]

for the great suggestions. I'm going to try the dust mask next time and see if that helps, and I'll mention the problem to my doctor at my next check-up this spring.