Caving with asthma and dust allergy

[klj27]

My 11 year old is supposed to go caving with his boy scout troop this weekend. They are going to a private cave and will be in there for 4-6 hours. I have been worried about this trip like I do all of his adventures, but I know they are great experiences and they go with responsible adults. I was talking with one of the adult leaders at their meeting this week and he mentioned how dusty the caves are. My son has asthma (environmental and when he becomes sick) and a severe allergy to dust mites/dust. Now, I am very concerned about sending him on this trip. I am going to call his asthma allergy doctor tomorrow, but I feel like a horrible mom. It seems like a no win situation. I feel bad for not figuring all this out and being a day and a half from departure, but now I am scared to let him go.

Any thoughts?

 

[Hannathy]

What about having him wear a dust mask? Not just a medical one but one a step up like they wear in industry or woodshops? If he kept that on while in the cave for the short time he will be in I would think he would probably be ok. He should have his inhaler and take his meds before of course but I understand how you don't want him to miss out on things.

 

[klj27]

I left a message with the doctor's office and the nurse just called me back. She kept trying to reassure me about the tent sleeping (which wasn't my question at all). I had to keep saying that I was calling about the caving aspect of the trip. She did say that even though the cave will be dusty it should not have dustmites which is his main allergen. I asked about the dust irritating his asthma and she didn't know. She is going to check with the doctor and call back.

 

[golfgal]

I left a message with the doctor's office and the nurse just called me back. She kept trying to reassure me about the tent sleeping (which wasn't my question at all). I had to keep saying that I was calling about the caving aspect of the trip. She did say that even though the cave will be dusty it should not have dustmites which is his main allergen. I asked about the dust irritating his asthma and she didn't know. She is going to check with the doctor and call back.

Our kids have asthma and we took them through the caves in Hannibal, MO from the Tom Sawyer/Huck Finn books and they didn't have any problems at all. It isn't so much "dust" as dirt in the caves too.

 

[luvmy3]

I would think that the dust in the caves is just dirt so you shouldn't have to worry about dust mites, but I too would be concerned about irritation and then inflamation caused by any dirt particles being inhaled because of the closed space of a cave. If it were my ds (who has asthma and allergies) I would send him with a mask along with his inhaler that way if he needed it, he would have it.

 

[TiggerTails57]

Is he allergic to mold spores? I'd be more worried about mold than dust mites in a cave, since mites must have a food source to live.

 

[winnapooh]

If it makes you feel any better, I have severe dust allergies (I'm pretty much allergic to everything I've been tested for), and I used to go caving all the time. I never noticed a difference while in the cave.

If you want to have him cover his face, maybe try a bandana wrapped around his nose and mouth like a dust mask. I used to go places with my brothers boy scout troop (caving included) and I know they would have teased any kid wearing a dust mask, but the bandana might be "cool."

I would just tell him that if he gets uncomfortable to ask to go back outside. Chances are good that some of the kids won't like the dark enclosed space and will want to wait outside anyways, so they will probably have an adult waiting outside.

Edited to say that I have asthma as well...it never bothered that either.

 

[padams]

DS' scout troop has been caving. The caves don't have "dust"; they have dirt! Be prepared to throw away all the clothes and the shoes he wears in the cave. You will not be able to get them clean again. Thankfully, our scoutmaster gave us a heads up so I sent the oldest tshirt, sweatshirt, jeans and gym shoes that DS had.

DS has dust and mold allergies and he was fine on the cave trip.

 

[NewCrew42]

My DS15 is allergic to everything but cats and dogs. He has been caving and never had a problem.

Caves do have dirt, but not "dust." I would think they are too cool inside for dust mites to grow.

Send his inhaler and tell him to have fun.

 

[klj27]

I really appreciate all the responses! Now I am hoping the doctor calls back and says it is fine so I can give him the go ahead to start packing.

 

[klj27]

The doctor's office called back and said that he can go caving. She said to increase his meds this weekend (I usually do this everytime he goes camping with scouts) and to make sure he has his inhaler with him. He is very happy and I am glad I got more opinions (especially from the dis). I will still be a nervous wreck until he gets back on Sunday though.

 

[padams]

I will still be a nervous wreck until he gets back on Sunday though.

LOL. I am always a nervous wreck when DS goes on the scout campouts, especially when the weather ends up being rainy/stormy. I am glued to weather.com throughout the weekend.

Your DS will have a great time.