What have you done to improve your home for asthmatics and how effective was it?

[Laugs]

Things like:
ionisers
air purifiers
dehumidifiers
removing carpets
removing curtains
removing soft toys
hoovering/ dusting daily

Has anything helped? Has anything made it worse? We have no pets and don't smoke, but do have a lot of clutter in quite a small flat.

Thanks x

Hoovering and daily dusting didn't have any effect on DH or DS2 asthma, and the dusting made my excema flare up (hadn't been troubled by it since childhood).

Getting rid of the carpets has made a slight difference to both of them - but it is WAY noisier now.

DS2 improved a lot when we stopped using all scented cleaning products/ perfumes etc and switched to roll on deodorants (for ourselves, DS2 is 7 and does not use deodorant).

Since DH started walking for two hours each day, he does not need to use his reliever inhalers at all, unless we are going somewhere with cats. Previously he was using them several times aday, and oral steroids several times a year.

Hope you find something which works for your family.

Thanks TBCoalman. I forgot about scented products. I have recently switched from laundry detergent to soapnuts, which has made a big difference to me, so maybe we should change to roll-ons too. My asthma is under control, it is more DD I am worried about, who is 2 and has just been referred to a respiratory specialist with suspected asthma. I don't want her childhood to have all the limitations mine had.

I took up some old carpets which had been used by the previous owners, who had a dog and cat. That made a difference.

I got rid of all feather pillows and duvets. Just have cheaper ones made of synthetics and date them on the label. That makes it easier to know when to bin and replace them.

Hopefully the specialist will have some suggestions for you if she does have asthma.

DH spent his childhood in and out of hospital and we were obviously worried that things would be the same for DS.

Thankfully, the asthma clinic have been wonderful, and medication for children seems a lot better now. I have found using the peak flow monitor everyday has helped us manage things a lot better.

Air freasheners are the second worst culprits after cats, as far as DS2 is concerned. My IL's use the plug in ones, and even though they switch them off when we are tthere, they start wheezing as soon as we arrive.

SIL believes her asthma improved when she got rid of her privet hedge, but I haven't heard of that being a trigger before.

I was diagnosed when I was 6 or 7. My mum modified my room. Carpet taken out, I was given a big wooden chest of drawers and most of my books, ornaments were put in there - I was only allowed a few bits out at one time. To make it easier to dust. I had a duvet instead of sheets and blankets (was known as a 'continental quilt' in those days and I think mum found it a little dubious and furrin TBH ). Was a non-feather one. Cat was kept out of my room.

Apart from that nothing much.

Now that I am an adult and have been using preventer inhalers it really really isn't an issue. Does your DD have one? Can DC use them?

Oh yes, milou, pillows and duvets. I've started washing DS2's regularly, and tumble drying them in the hope of getting rid of a few mites. We also got one of www.mothercare.com/gp/product/B000NT25SI/sr=1-2/qid=1238588267/ref=sr_1_2/278-0955469-1176755? for his bed, which was v expensive, but I was feeling quite desperate at the time. It's great - I just wash the top layer once a fortnight or so and it dries in about half an hour.

Thanks for the suggestions. We have mattress and pillow protectors and none of the bedding is feather. That mattress is quite expensive, but still cheaper than taking up all our carpets! DD will be moving to a proper bed soon, so it's something to think about.

OrmIrian, DD doesn't have a preventer yet, but DC can have them. The GP offered to prescribe her one, but then decided he'd rather her see a specialist. I think they are so wary of diagnosing it too early these days that he wanted an expert opinion! I am hoping that will make the world of difference though. My asthma used to be quite bad, but now I can really control it by taking more of the preventer if neccessary.

Hi I wash DS' teddies at 60 degree wash to kill the dust mites - all teddies have survived except long haired ones which come out looking a bit scraggie - helps us both ...

I got the special covers for mattress, duvet and pillows. I got them due to dd2's eczema. Thought it made a difference to her eczema. Not to her asthma. And her eczema has got really bad again over the last couple of years.

What made the world of difference for my dd was to stop using room fresheners, scented candles, oil burners and inscense etc. I used to use them a lot because I hate the house to smell of cooking. It took me a while to realise that there was a connection with them and my dd's attacks! der!
Also we changed our walk to school route so that we weren't walking along the main road with all the fumes from the rush hour traffic. It now takes us a bit longer but we use side roads with no cars.
I did also buy all the anti-allergy pillow/mattress/duvet covers.
These factors along with being more conscientious about using the preventer inhaler regularly has made the world of difference to my dd.

Took up carpet and laid hard floors

I tried loads of the things previously mentioned.
Nothing really made any difference to ds's asthma.

The only thing that has is the singulair tablet he takes each night-that alone has changed his life for the better.

yy to singulair as well

and damp dusting rather than vacuuming

ggirl - how long has he been taking singulair? ds has been on it two months, and I havent really seen a difference..........

He's been on it for about 2 yrs now.Worked in the first month or so iirc

Apparently it just isn't effective for some. Shame for you,as it has improved ds loads

Removing carpets
Lots of cleaning and dusting
Stopped DD from using scented soaps and perfumes
Lots and lots of exercise

It's considerably worse in the summer though - so we keep windows closed upstairs and use an air purifier.

Thanks - he hasnt been any better, but no worse either. But he does keep complaining his tummy hurts, and i see it is a side effect (he is just 7)

hmmm maybe not suitable for him
ds has been taking since he was 4yrs

Have you tried regular hoovering of the matress? Go over same spot 10-15 times.

Also same with carpet, particularly anywhere around the bed and where you get dressed/undressed. Dead skin falls off us when we change and that is what the dust mites feed on. Same type of hoovering every couple of weeks i.e. going over same spot of carpet 10-15 times.

Another tip is to change furniture around every now and again as this stops dead skin collecting in same places i.e around sofas, chairs, beds,

Wash bedding at least at 60deg. Regularly wash pillow and duvet too.

I definitely find that ds is worse in summer /spring when I open the windows.

Steam-cleaned all carpets and washed all curtains when moved in (previous owner had a cat) - this made the house livable for me after a week with the windows open.

-removed carpets in the 2 most 'catty' rooms.

Day to day stuff that has helped me- bought a good hoover, this made a big difference esp. when I use it regularly .

-'Deep' hoover my bedroom every 2 weeks (dust mite are one of my triggers).

-Ventilate bedrooms every day for at least half an hour.

-Sparing use of central heating (sets it off for some reason).

• hypoallergenic bedding and mattress covers

-No smoking in house ever

Apparently, steam cleaning can make dust mites worse as they like the moisture.

I would do it if I moved into a catty/doggy place though

Interesting thread. My son had severe eczema. I am the hoovering queen. I go through one a year . Dust is my enemy!

Now the pollen season has started my efforts are in vain