Dust-free Home

Here is another place where you can find some dust mite covers at reasonable prices, www.AllergyAsthmaTech.com

Good luck

You can go to an expensive allergy store or you can buy plastic covers with a zipper for the mattress and mite free covers for the pillows at Walmart, which is much cheaper. My son and grandson both have terrible allergies. You can also use a saline nose rinse to rinse out the irritants in their noses to help them breath better. This works wonders with both of my grandchildren who are 2 1/2 and almost 1. For you you can buy NeilMed sinus rinse at Walmart. It might feel a little funny doing the rinse, but it works wonders in clearing out the allergens and mucus.

I hope it helps.

J.

Hmmm Im 29 also so I know what you mean about used to be's. But maybe if you join a gym that has a childcare center you could exercise while the kids have fun....I know its hectic but exercising is the best way to get more energy so that we can do the things we used to. Also I opened up a new vintage and handmade boutique on 1617 16th st. We are kid friendly. so you can shop again too. Yeah. Have a great day.

L.,
In addition to the advice you have already received, I want to let you know that many items can be a breeding ground for dust mites (teeny bugs that we all have in our houses). Dust mites love any soft items, such as clothing, left lying around. As someone else mentioned, carpets and rugs are another favorite place. Remove any decorative pillows, etc., as well. Vacuuming can also spread around dust mites, so you might want to look into one that has a Hepa filter and that guarantees that it does not put dust back into the air. Also, please find a way to do something for yourself each week. It's important for your boys that you take care of yourself. There must be a friend or family member who can watch your kids for 45 minutes while you take a relaxing walk or get a mani-pedi -- whatever would feel good to you. If you believe you truly deserve some time, which you do, you'll find it. Please just give it a try next week and see how it goes.
K.

L.,
I know how easy it is to feel lost to illness, but cheer up, you have a lot to be gratefull for and allergies are a pain in the butt I know, but if you think of all of the mothers out there how can't feed or cloth or educate their children, we are pretty lucky. They don't love their children any less. You don't need to buy any special blankets or sheets. If you get a hepa filter for your vacuum, that will help. I know it's difficult. My daughter has fibromyalgia and allergies and epilepsy, so I know it's hard to deal with sick kids. Hang in there!!! :-)

L., I can completely relate. I married a man who has TONS of allergies. Dust and dust mites being among them. For starters, use the best quality dust mite cover that is out there. I would recommend going to this website www.natlallergy.com After lots of research they seemed to have as good a quality as the expensive brands. They have covers for the mattress, box spring, and pillows. If you use duvet covers they have a cover for the comforter part. I also highly recommend buying an air-filter for the room. The Honeywell Hepa permanent filter one is great. Literally have it running all day. You can use any sheets, just be washing them at least once a week. You can buy hypo-allergenic pillows and mattress pads if you want. Be sure you are dusting the room and keeping the floor clean. You don't need to be as paranoid about the rest of the house as you are their room. It will just help them to be more comfortable. If you really wanted to go crazy you could put an air filter in the living room too. Feel free to send me a message if you want more info.

Dust mites are a common trigger. We cover our mattress and pillows and you can buy them at target. You do not need special sheets because you can wash them in hot water to kill the dust mites. Good luck.

Hello L.

I do know that dust mites eat skin droppings. Also, your pillows should be changed every year or two. I would also vacuum your bed mattress's very good.

One thing I recently learned that the dust you see floating in the sun light is our skin that we have shed and if we have animals, it is their skin as well.

I would also only use green cleaning products in the home. Anything we spray can attach itself to the dust, and then we breath in the dust with cleaning substance along with it. I use and sell green products. If you would like to know more about them I would be happy to help you.

I come from a long line of allerglic people. My son was allergic to just about everything. When your young with allergies you can and usually out grow them, my son did. But, when you are older and get them, you are pretty much stuck with them for life.(me)That's why I got involved with green cleaners.

Good luck with you dust and especially with your boys.

Blessings, B. V

I know you have already thanked everyone for their responses, but I had to add one last tip...

If your kids cannot give up the stuffed animals, you can put them in a large zip lock bag and stick them in the freezer. This kills the dust mites. I cannot remember how often this is recommended...this may be a tip on one of the websites others have listed.

Hang in there...as the kids get older, their allergies may improve. Also, the allergy shots work very well. My oldest son had allergy induced asthma so bad he could barely make it home from school (6 blocks) on his bicycle during the spring allergy season without having an attack. After 1 year of shots, he did not need to use his inhaler or the nebulizer at all during allergy season last year. He hates shots, but says the allergy shots are not as bad as vaccinations. Now he thanks me for making him get them because he feels SO much better!

My sister and I both had asthma as kids and were subsequently diagnosed with allergies after being tested and seeing an allergist - mine in particular was to dust and dust mites which warranted allergy shots for 2 or 3 years in my preteen years (allergy shots are NO big deal: they do NOT HURT like regular immunizations!). Besides the covers for the mattress, box spring, and pillows the best thing you can do is get a good air cleaner for their room(s). One with a hepa filter - we got ours from costco for a reasonable price but this was 15 years ago. They are much more common and widely used now - run it all day, and all night, and make sure the kids keep their rooms reasonably clean and the air filter really helps quite significantly. If you have carpet, get a new vacuum cleaner with a hepa filter in it, and vacuum when the children are not home so that the dust that inevitably is disturbed and floating around in the air has a chance to settle before they breathe it. My parents also went so far as to pull up the carpet in our bedrooms and hallway to keep the dust mites/dust easier to deal with.
Have hope, allergy shots and growing up grew me right up out of all my allergy issues. I occasionally have very minor symptoms from my mold allergies during the rainy season, but my previously VERY severe dust/dust mite allergy was "cured" with allergy shots. I can hardly remember being so sick with them.

L.,

My 5 year old is in the same boat, they told us to get all of the dust mite pillows etc. We did get him the pillow covers but that was as far as we went since it didn't seem to make a difference with or with out. A.

Me- I am 35 married almost 13 years. I still love music and playing the guitar helps get me through the tough days. I have 3 boys 8, 5, and newly 3.

I think that just getting the the covers for the mattress and the pillow will help tremendously..also as you probably all ready do..just be sure to wash the sheets on a weekly basis. (o: (As we all should..haha!)

Dust mite allergies? Mite feces are one of the most toxic allergens to humans and pets. Clear them up with Norwex’s Mattress Cleaner. Almost 100,000 mites can live in one square yard of carpet. Approximately 10 million dust mites live in a bed, 8 million in a mattress, and 2 million in a pillow. The primary food source of dust mites is dead skin cells from humans (which accounts for approximately 80% of the dust in a home). This enzyme based cleaner can be sprayed where dust mite populations thrive: mattresses, bedding, comforters, pillows, fluffy toys, upholstery, vehicle seats, pet beds, sofas, and anywhere organic material collects.
About 80% of the visible airborne particles in a room are comprised of dead skin cells. These dead skin cells contain bacteria and can cause allergic reactions in some people. What's in that can of Lemon Pledge? Butane, Propane, Isobutane, Silicones. Do you really want to clean with gases? Help allergies – do not just stir dust around when cleaning. Try the Norwex Dust Mitt or Envirowand! Our high density mircrofiber produces an electrostatic charge which attracts and holds dust particles. The ultra soft and fine microfiber is woven into a higher pile for a higher static charge.
I would love to speak with you about Norwex’s incredible products.
C.
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A wake up story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9zR0KHYF4k&feature=yo...

well first of all if you have carpet in room take it out ,or at the store there is stuff for dust mites then vauum the carpet i know its a pain in the but ,have you tired stain sheets and pillow cases .get rid of stuff animals they are the worse,they get dust in them i know they are cute but ,really . and they do make pillows for allergy free,you ned to shop around or shop on line .

Well unfortunately mite are part of our everyday life, they live in most faberic around your house, pets, and on people. You can get rid of some but not all. They are in the beds (I think that maybe where the term bed bugs came from)I work at JCPenney, you can get mattress, pillow cover there usually on SALE. We have a family memeber who has allergy to mites also. I hall the vacuum up on the beds, the couch, any big surfaces then use the handheld hose to get the smaller surfaces. I also use Ferbeeze Allergian on all areas of the house and our clothes (because clothes also get dust and dust mites on them)Also try WebMD site they usually have helpful suggestion. Hope this helps
M. C

My son is allergic to everything from Trees to cats,birds to dust/dust mites(TO NAME A FEW).In door out door no relief anywhere! I decided to nip it in the bud this year.I have continuously cleaned my house wash his blankets MOST every night with Allergy free detergent. Never go without bathing him before he lays down to sleep put on a clean set of pj's of course.Give him Claritin EVERY DAY even if he is NOT symptomatic on that day,as well as allergy drops for his eyes.I also refused any carpeting in the house that is a haven for DUST MITES and there poop which is what really is what those who are allergic to dust /dust mites are inhaling and are allergic to....Gross ..hah? I decided all that stuff was way to expensive to buy and decided on cleaning instead.It has worked wonders for my son he has even gotten better in school and academically all together!
It worked for me and my son had it bad and also suffers from Asthma!!
I hope this helps:)

Hi L.,

I can totally relate! You don't need to buy any special sheets or blankets. But for optimal control, wash all bedding once a week in hot water. (Don't forget to wash your kids stuffed animals, if they sleep with them, too.)You should also put your pillow in the dryer for about 15 minutes and this kills the dust mites as well. Make sure you have a vacuum that has a great hepa filter for dust mites. Also, put a good allergy filter in your central heating and air (they cost @ $15-25 at Target). Hope this helps!

Two things that people have not mentioned that you might try: a humidifier, and an air ionizer (with a HEPA filter would be best) can help to knock the dust out of the air, so it can be cleaned more effectively. I would also recommend a really good furnace/air-conditioner filter for your air intake. Get one you can spray out with a hose once a month to clean out the dirt; you might be amazed at how much dust they can collect even when your furnace isn't running a whole lot!

Our family has mild allergies, nothing like you mentioned, but we have used all of these items to help reduce the dirt & dust in-house, to keep it easier to clean.

As far as Ionizers, there are many types on the market & some that are not very expensive...they leave a fresh smell in the air, and help with stagnated air.

Hope this helps!

I had horrible allergies during pregnancy and since medicine is a no-no, we splurged on a good air filter (RabbitAir BioGS from Frys) I would strongly recommend a high-end air filter ... the more expensive ones not only work better but are often less expensive in the long-run as they have washable filters or filters that do not have to be changed that often.

In addition, vacuum often and make sure you have a good vacuum with a washable HEPA filter. We also splurged and have the Dyson.

These two things (and washing sheets/towels frequently) have made my allergies very manageable and have allowed me to avoid medication.

I too am allegic to dust mites. As a kid I was diagnosed and had to get allergy shots. I no longer need the shots but still take my meds religiously. Anyway, I had a matters and pillow cover and we had to put my stuffed animals away that I used to keep on my shelves. Big deal as a kid but they are a big attractor to the dust mites. You can't get rid of them, they are everywhere. With the matteress and pillow covers you just put regular sheets on top. It will just help to minimize his exposure.

Beth

You don't need the covers for anything you can wash at least once a week - the hot dryer will kill the mites. Watch out for dust UNDER the bed - - - I find that chest beds that don't have any space underneath pretty much eliminate this problem - or put those under bed storage boxes and wipe them down once a week.

Try talking to a nutritionist - it could be something lacking in their diets. I had allergy shots for 18 years - no medicines were working I was breaking out in hives almost everyday and then found out i was low on B vitamins in my diet probably from being pregnant and breastfeeding - when I increased B vitamin rich foods the hives stopped and I don't need to take daily allergy medicine anymore.

Hi L.,
I can highly recommend National Allergy! They have decent products for a decent price (and trust me, I searched around.) The sheets and blankets just need to be durable (usually cotton) and washable because they need to be washed regularly (1 - 2 weeks).
I bought a laundry additive called "De-mite" so that I could wash the bedding and clothes in whatever temperature they normally would be washed in and still kill the mites (rather than hot water, yikes!) I also got a dust mite comforter cover and a cotton duvet cover that is washable rather than purchase the expensive but not so attractive dust mite comforters they have. My daughter already had a Tempurpedic pillow which doesn't allow dust mites in so I didn't have to get the pillow cover, but I do wash her pillow case every time I wash the rest of her bedding, of course. I'm sure you already know this, but the stuffed animals need to either be treated or gone. My doctor suggested to let her keep her 2 favorites and put them in the freezer every so often to kill the mites.
For furniture and rugs, National Allergy has a product that can be sprayed that is non-toxic and lasts 6 months. I also purchased an Electrolux Oxygen 3 for vacuuming. The HEPA filter is sealed so that the air that comes out is clean. I purchased the special vacuum bags that won't let out dust when you change them.
If the allergies are really bad, I've read that de-humidifiers and electro-static filters for the heater vents are helpful as well, but we haven't needed to go that far. We were lucky because we hardly ever use our heater and have hardwood floors, so we mainly needed to make changes in her bedroom.
There's a lot more info out there on this subject, but this is what worked for us. Check out www.nationalallergy.com for products and feel free to email me if you have anymore questions!

L., it is not difficult to take some first steps to allergy-proofing your home. The first thing to do is to get dust-mite covers, as your doctor suggested. You should not use feather or down pillows. Pure latex or polyester fiberfill pillows are allergy-friendly. All bed sheets, covers, etc. should be washed at least once a week in the hottest water you can provide. Cold water won't kill the dust mites! If you can, it's best not to have wall-to-wall carpeting. Hardwood, tile or vinyl floors are easier to keep clean. You should damp-mop the floors as well as vacuuming. Stuffed animals are another problem. If you can minimize the number on your child's bed, you'll cut down on the allergy problem. I hope this helps. With regular cleaning and good laundry habits, you'll be able to help your family cope with allergies!

I don't know anything about mites. I do know about feeling lost after 2 kids, isolated. #1 priority in being a good mom, self esteem. That HAS to be a priority. You need to make time, even if its after they go to bed to reconnect with yourself. Also, don't be afraid to take them both out to thrift stores or putzing around the city. They'll surprise you, mine did. You need to know you and love you, so your kids can too. best wishes, another isolated mom of 2:)

L.:

we all get lost in the world of our children when they are small, but that can take a toll on your personal life.... i happened to me also.... find a friend that has kids and your love for life!
so you two can go out and do all those things that you can't do with your husband or children,

live your life, because if you are not truly happy, eventually it will creep up and could get sick in all levels.... find peace and happiness L...

my boys also have allergies, i did cover mattresses, pillows, to keep them from the dust mites
i also got read of the carpets and my boys outgrew most of their allergies now that are 17 , 14 and 12...
get in shape L., i was lucky i kept my girlish figure, but did have plastic surgery for my face, before anyone could tell i was getting like a prune...... i just want to reflect on the outside what i have on the inside.... remember that your inner peace and happiness do not depend on any one, but your self
best wishes..
sandy

Hi L.!

We went through this with our daughter (actually my step-daughter) when she was 7, she is now 22. We put ALL the protective covers on everything in/on her bed, but it was hard for her to sleep because it was like "crinkly paper" and made sounds everytime she moved around. Maybe products have changed, as it's been several years since we've had to do this. But, because of this problem, I eventually just bought a couple more sets of sheets, and we changed her bedding like every 2-3 days. I changed her pillowcases daily, though. It was ALOT of work, but it did seem to help her wake up with less allergies. Also, we had to keep a HUGE supply of washcloths. I had her wipe her face and hands at bedtime to help her eyes not look so "puffy" and tired every morning. I think this helped the most.

At 22, she still suffers from allergies, but it's not as bad as it was when she was a little girl. She was "taught' that she had allergies, so she "used this" on occassion to get out of school things when she got older. That's just a "heads up". Seems to be a girl thing :o)

My 11 year old son has allergies that are just now starting to "taper off". I did the same things for him, because I knew what to do already. The only thing i did different with him, was NOT let him know how unlucky he was to have allergies. I carried baby wipes to sprting events, etc...to help keep allergies calm. He doesn't know he has/had an "allergy problem", and works through the bad days, even if he doesn't want to participate in PE. This was a corrected mistake we had made with our daughter. I'm glad we didn't make it out to be a "handicap" in his life.

Now is the season, and some kids have it worse than others, obviously. I tell my son to go to the bathroom at school and wet his face after recess to help him get through the day better and concentrate. The teacher is aware of my request, so she usually lets him do this on the way back into class.

When you live with an "allergy kid" your daily routine just has change a little, and have a few things added into it. Washcloths and pillowcase changes being the most helpful (for us anyway). Also, when the winds pickup outside, it's best for them if they play inside. The allergies are almost always affected the NEXT day, so anything you do in THIS day, will help for tomorrow :o)

I hope this helps you. I'm sorry that your little one is suffering. Good Luck!

:o) N.

Hi L.: I am a 48 year old grandma (NONIE) of a 5-year old precious anngel - Lexi. And I can relate to your introduction about yourself. You made me laugh...I like the same hobies you do, especially getting lost in a city!!! I love the hussle and bussle of people and crowds... However, about allergies...my "whole" family has them...my sons grew up with humidifiers and vaporizers in their rooms while they slept at night...and sometimes we still use them...they are now 24 and 26...we get better night's sleep. Of course, washing down before bedtime helps get rid of the allergens they track in from being outside. Mattress covers and pillow covers do really work..just need to change them often- about a couple of months..I wash them weekly with our usual laundry. Hope this info helps...take care. Nonie Becca.

Dear L.,
My family and I have struggled with allergies too! I have waterproof mattress covers on my beds and there are allergy-free pillow cases that you can buy. You can buy regular sheets, just wash them weekly. I dont have a lot of dust collectors in the house anymore. Staying away from dairy and sugar helps a great deal, because both of these lower your immune system!
Sounds like you used to have fun, and now you are too busy with the children ... I totally understand. I raised my first child without the Lord and church in my life and I really struggled. Big difference with raising my second child with Jesus in our home ... I have peace and joy! I envy my daughter who belongs to a Mommie group, made up of young awesome Mothers who belong to our church. They meet on Wednesday mornings and bring all of their babies. This group has helped my daughter with everything in her life, and has been a tremendous blessing! Last week they all went to the zoo together. The bonus in this is not only praying togther and for each other, but babysitting for one another!!!
Be blessed, you deserve it, love S.

Hi L.-Just keep them clean-fluff the blankets in the dryer and sheets very clean- wash once a week at least- putting your blankets out in the sun is also good I would reccomend buying a air filter-Austin Air is the best-honeywell and anything you can but in a target or macys is junk do a search on line-it will change your life-really