Managing dust mite allergy naturally

[dustyphoenix]

I have a significant dust mite allergy and have mostly managed it by taking an amazing antihistamine available on prescription (fexafenadine, in case anyone wants to ask for it).

However, I'm now pregnant and have been told that I shouldn't take any antihistamine. As a result, I'm sniffling miserably and am exhausted from sneezing all the time, nose is constantly blocked (or streaming), sick from stuff at the back of my throat (to add to morning sickness!) and constantly wanting to close my eyes because they're so dry and gritty. I use Sterimar to help clear my nose, but I don't have the energy to clean as much as I should to try and manage it. Does anyone have any non-medicinal tips to help me manage until I can wolf down my tablets once baby is out?!?

Could you try an air purifier? Also, get rid of carpets in your bedroom if possible and look into hypo allergenic bedding

It's not natural but I'm pregnant with allergies to loads of things including dust mites and my dr prescribed loratadine for whilst I was pregnant and said I can take 2 a day if needed.

I've also got an air purifier which helps

Dust mites are very prevalent on mattresses. Make sure to thoroughly vacuum your mattress about once a week - I found this really useful for DS who had a severe allergy to them. Also get rid of any carpets , especially in your bedroom.

If you don't already have them get dustmite specific bedding, zipped pillowcase and duvet covers.

You have probably done all this already, but just in case...
A bagless vacuum cleaner with a proper HEPA filter, regularly emptied (by someone else!) was a game changer for me. Wash your sheets at 60+.
Loads of Sterimar, plain eye-drops. The trick is not to let too much build up in your nasal passages, just keep sluicing it down. Open the windows. Get everything swept, vacuumed and damp-dusted (preferably by someone else), as I am sure that as someone walks across a room the reverberations stir up dust wherever it lies.
I know it's hard to heave a vacuum cleaner about when you're pregnant. Those light carpet sweepers are quite good to help keep on top of things.
Ditto what the earlier poster said about mattresses. You can also try those hayfever sticky balms that you dab under eyes and nose to trap irritants. Good luck.

We bought a coconut husk mattress that dust mites can't survive in, and lots of wet wiping. Other thing is a water tank vacuum cleaner we got a Thomas family allergy, it traps dust in the water rather than pumping it back out into the air

Thanks all, these are some really good tips. We've got rugs rather than carpets (to cover cracks in floorboards), but I'm definitely guilty of not hoovering them enough . And had no idea about anti-allergy bedding, or coconut husk, or anti-allergy hoovers. And had totally forgotten about eye drops! Thanks so much.

no to bagless hoovers - bagged with filter is better, ideally get a 'pet' hoover.

agree with all the bedding comments above. also remove stuffed toys or extra pillows from beds.

soft furnishings needs to be washable ideally (sofa covers) consider removing carpets and replace with hard floors that can be mopped regularly.

damp dust.
consider rehoming pets, small pets that needs hay for food/bedding, dogs with oily coats...