My son has been battling something for a while and we couldn’t really pin-point what… finally, I decided we needed to do an allergy test. So, about a week ago he had a blood test ran to see if he was allergic to anything.
I got the results back a few days later and he did test positive for several allergens. In a way, I was glad the test came back positive because it meant we’d have some answers and could move forward on helping him. But, obviously I was sad to see he had a list of allergies.
Anyway, he has an extremely high allergy to dust mites. His second highest allergy was to dog dander… and he had a low allergy to cat dander, pollen, Maple trees, White Ash trees, Elm trees, Hickory trees, grass and ragweed. His doc said the pollen/grass/ragweed was the least and wasn’t really high enough to cause much issue.
My house is pretty clean. It isn’t the cleanest, I’m sure… but I’m pretty decent with keepin’ it up. I have been busting my butt the last week or so doing more cleaning, deeper cleaning… doing everything I can do to help his dust mite allergy. The doc said we wouldn’t have to get rid of our beloved pets but to keep an eye on him to make sure his allergies don’t worsen and keep doing everything I can do keep the pet dander down.
I’ve bought him an allergy mattress cover, pillows… and other things. I hope that is will help. I read (from MomCentral) approximately 15 percent of the population suffers from allergies to cats and dogs, and 10 percent to dust mites. Sadly, my son has to be in that percentage (and I’m sure several of you all reading this, too).
Also, I’ve been using a product that was new to me. Clorox® Anywhere® Anti-Allergen Fabric Spray. The product deactivates pet dander and dust mite matter by up to 90 percent and has absolutely no smell. I plan to continue using it, in efforts to minimize the allergens in my home. I hope to see a big difference in him, soon!
I, to my knowledge, am not allergic to anything. I’ve never suffered from the symptoms of any, at least. If any of you have any wonderful tips to share that will help me with his allergies – do share! I’m all ears (or would that be eyes).
i have allergies as to my two oldest kids, the first thing you need to get rid of is the carpet! i spent two years getting weekly shots which really made a difference to me. i also use one of the allergy filters in our furnace, it costs about five times as much but reduces the allergens in the home. the good news is most kids grow out of the allergies, or at least are able to adapt to the ones they live with, as in he is probably going to be ok with the pets if you’re able to reduce the others ones that bother him.
i had been sneazing quite a big percentage of my life and never checked what it was.. and then a year or 2 ago i decided to try to take anti-histamines.. and they do wonders!
just 1 tiny pill (syrup is also available) and its as if im not alergic… i find that zyrtec workds best with me.. effect lasts at least 2 days 
My son (& I) both are allergic. & we both respond incredibly well to homeopathic remedies. We were fortunate enough to find an excellent homeopath to help us, which I think is essential. Also we have found the use of herbs extremely helpful as prescribed by a DR of Oriental medicine. If you are interested in using either of these methods the best way to find one is to start asking around. I looked for ones that had lots of experience with children.
Keeping his room pet free is a great idea. I kept my sons room dusted & free of any clutter, no drapes or stacks of books & papers & stuffed animals around.
& always kept the door shut to help keep it clean & animals out. & if you can get a good quality air cleaner for at least his room that will really help. We have one in our home that works through our central air & it is amazing.
Also I believe fish oil & especially vitamin C are very good for keeping one strong. Allergies can wear you out.
I’d look in to exactly what the ingredients are in the spray you are using to make sure it is non-toxic.
The good news is, my son outgrew a lot of his allergies starting at age 7 gradually until he was 11. he gets congested on occassion now ( he’s 14) & one of the simplest effective things he uses on a regular basis is a Neti pot. It literally flushes the gunk out of your nasal passages where we breathe in the allergens. he does this at night before he goes to bed as needed, & sometimes when he gets home from school. It’s a great way to keep those mucous membranes hydrated which is important for good health.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
I’m sorry to hear about his allergies. It’s good that you had a test done to determine the things that he is allergic to. That way you can help prevent allergy attacks. Hope he’s doing better now. Take care.
Sorry ’bout that! It’s a lot of adjusting and trying and patience. I have a deviated septum so all of the gunk I inhale gets in my sinuses and stays there longer than it should. Dust? Cannot do it. When I do dust, I have to use a painter’s mask and then use a “neti” pot. It looks like Aladin’s lamp. You use warm water and a special saline. You pour it in one nostril while it drains out the other. Sounds gross but I’ve had much fewer problems since I’ve been using it!
Hope he’s able to pull out of it. Being a kid with allergies is tough business.
~~~Blessings~~~
My son has a similar concern. He’s very allergic (and asthmatic) and he has yet to have that Allergy Test. The product that you mentioned, I’m not sure if that’s available here. I’ve been looking for products like this since learning that my son is allergic.
My sympathies!
Neither of us has any allergies (that we know of), but we have two (unrelated) friends who are both allergic to cats. I conducted a little test: I sprayed the living room furniture (we have no carpets) with Febreeze Allergen Reducer (the one with the yellow cap), and didn’t spray the TV room. When they stayed in the living room, absolutely no reaction whatsoever, but when they went into the TV room, they started sneezing or sniffling! Now, whenever I know one or both are coming to visit, I spray all the upholstered furniture, curtains, throw pillows, etc. with the Febreeze Allergen Reducer and they have no symptoms.
Hopefully, your son will outgrow this!
i cannot imagine the effect in your lives the allergy problem have caused. I can only hope things will get better as time will go by.
Oh..that is a difficult one. My daughter is allergic to dust mites also. I did what you are doing with putting those special covers on the bedding etc. It has improved as she has gotten older..hopefully so will your son. Here is an odd thing. One of my cats has severe allergies to grass, dust and mold. He had serious lung problems as a kitten until he was treated for the allergies. Now he get an allergy shot once a month..given by me. Talk about a pampered pet….
I suffer with all of those, also washing powders, cleaning sprays, perfumes and food additives! It doesn’t leave much that I don’t have a reaction to actually. Most you can deal with by not using certain things, but the dust and pet problems are not as easy to control. I just do the same as you are now doing. I still get the symptoms every now and then.
One of the major problem areas is bedding, with the microscopic bed bugs. Changing the bedding often and folding the sheets back and opening a window daily to air them helps. I have stopped the cats from sleeping on my bed. In fact they are not allowed in my bedroom at all. That has helped a lot.
My suggestion to you would be to make his bedroom an animal free zone.
Hope that helps :O)
Oh, you poor thing(s). My daughter has developed some patches of small bumps all on her back, belly, and arms. She said they itch. I fear it’s some sort of food allergy. I was allergic to peanuts when I was a kid, but thank goodness I have outgrown it. Guess what she ate yesterday?! Yup, peanuts! She was NOT happy when I told her not to eat anymore to see if that’s what it was.
Best of luck to you trying to control his allergies!
That is quite a lot of allergies to look out for. I sincerely hope your son will grow out of those allergies. It isn’t easy for us moms to have our sons go through it.
I have alergies.. never been tested as to what… I just take over the counter meds… I think this fall has been extra bad…my sister and I never thought we’d say this .. but we are anxious for the killing frost to relieve us… I do better with the air conditioner running…
I have a granddaughter who is allergic to cats… just a few minutes around one and her eyes start to swell up and she’s sneezing and sniffing…
Sorry to hear about your son’s allergy. Mine is constantly battling allergic reactions to common food (wheat, even trace amount can kill him). I had a scare the other day. I hope your son feels better soon.
I don’t know if you’re open to alternative medicine – or if you have access to anybody good where you are, but we’ve been to a couple of awesome docs with my son. He was allergic to all food – literally, because as soon as he’d start eating something new, his body would create an allergy to it. After some awesome (though expensive) treatments, he’s no longer allergic to anything. Pretty amazing. Our natural doc here in L.A. is phenomenal. Her theory was that all allergies are created in the body for a reason – there’s something lacking, or something being compensated for, etc. It worked for us. My kid can eat and not get sick now.
Sorry to hear about your son’s allergies. I have a terrible dust allergy myself. I was deep cleaning vents in the hallway yesterday with no mask on and feel like I’m getting a cold today.
Keep your son’s room super clean-no carpeting. You did right by buying him the special bedding. He should also stay off the floor. And I’d vacuum more frequently-even the sofa-hope you have at least a 12 amp vacuum. I use BioAllers homeopathic spray for allergies and it’s great stuff. They have different formulas.
http://www.outletnutrition.com/bioallers.html
oh my…that is alot of allergies to have to figure out how to deal with all at once. I’ll be thinking of you and hoping you find some nice easy ways to cut down on the allergens in your home.
hugs!