I'm allergic to my own house

[acnebride]

Since ds was born i've had bad hay fever, but worst in jan/feb as a rule - a gp friend said it could be tree pollen. But i'm now sure, following a nightmare hoover bag change/removing covers from sofas combo afternoon, that i'm allergic to plain old DUST. Which should I do - do proper cleaning or give up all housework completely in order to avoid any dust clouds?

this should be in good housekeeping shouldn't it. What would Anthea do?

[Holidaymum]

I'm in the same boat! If I do housework my asthma is horrendous and I get hay fever symptoms. If I don't do it my asthma stays bad. When the house is clean asthma is better and hayfever gone. Can't afford a cleaner either had a rant and nag at dh last night but cleanings not his strong point

[TooTicky]

Don't sweep the carpets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did for a while when the hoover didn't work and the floor was dusty as hell (where does it all come from?) and I was heavily pregnant - it's awful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A hoover with hepa filtration or similar helps - we have one from Electrolux which is good.

[ilovecaboose]

Do it in short bursts with all windows and doors open and then go outside in between. Also are you taking any kind of anti-histamine for it?

My DP is allergic to a lot of things and dust is a nightmare. He has allergic rhinitus and has chronic asthma (though can still work) He's constantly on anti-histamines and these help a bit. He also wears a bandana tied over mouth and nose when doing anything like this to keep down the amount he breathes in - you can get masks for it (similar to the ones some cyclists wear), but I'm not sure where from.

Funnily enough its me who does the majority of the housework and keeps the dust down. If he's left to himself he doesn't bother and then wonders why he gets ill.

[Holidaymum]

Have a hepa filter and wooden floors, only have carpet on the stairs and dds bedroom

[acnebride]

Gonna have to do more cleaning then. I was afraid of that. Oh well. Can't afford flooring new hoovers or cleaner any more - can afford elbow grease, unfortunately. Will try the mask though, that could be good, and the short bursts.

I suppose I could work full time and pay a cleaner - nice and dust-free here

[HenniPenni]

Don't use polish for your dusting as it just moves the dust about, instead use a damp cloth, if possible change your curtains for blinds, as said before make sure your doors and windows are open, and something that I do is to wear a scarf around my hair- I have very long,thick hair which if the dust gets on to makes my symptoms (and my DDs)much worse.

[acnebride]

polish? mm. I think the problem is not doing any dusting, not the substance I'm not doing it with...

thanks hennipenni