Fucking allergic reactions

I have been having random allergic reactions ever since we moved into our condo. My eyes start to itch and swell up to the point where I almost cannot see. It looks horrible, even into the next day, when I usually have to go to work. It takes everything out of me. I feel exhausted and sick. I look like shit the next day at work and everyone stares at me.

The only thing tests have proven me to be allergic to is cats so we don't know why it's happening because we don't have cats, and everything was put down brand new in our condo. It only happens upstairs, usually in our master bedroom. We thought it might have been all the dust that collected on the things in my closet at the Richmond House so we washed everything in my closet down. All of my clothes, all the boxes on shelves, everything. It's still happening so we know dust isn't the culprit.

A coworker said when her parents got new carpet it made her eyes swell up. They had to get the carpets cleaned before she could come over. The owners before us put down brand new carpet when they were trying to sell the house. We put tile in downstairs, and my reactions don't start downstairs, so I am thinking maybe that is what it is. We changed all the filters out but that hasn't helped either.

It seems like they are coming more and more lately. Last night it happened again, but this time my throat swelled up so much I felt like I couldn't swallow or breathe. I had to repeatedly use my inhaler. I had a hard time falling asleep. I thought maybe I would have to go to the hospital and Tim was gone at work.

Man this shit sucks. Especially because we don't know what's causing it so I can't stop the reactions from coming! Now we have to have the air ducts cleaned and the carpets washed

[Keyser Soze]

That sucks...hopefully shit gets worked out for you soon. I ahve fierce allergies as well...and know that "day after feeling". It drains the crap out of you.


P.S. My friend is in Israel, until next Thursday..hence the delay on getting back to you. But will as soon as I hear back.

[alexican]

i think the spore count around here has been pretty high lately; maybe its that? or have you noticed any water damaged areas in your upstairs? there could be mold growing thats making you feel sick.

either way, that sucks that you're having such terrible allergies i hope you find the culprit and kick its ass sarah!

Originally Posted by Meyer Lansky

That sucks...hopefully shit gets worked out for you soon. I ahve fierce allergies as well...and know that "day after feeling". It drains the crap out of you.


P.S. My friend is in Israel, until next Thursday..hence the delay on getting back to you. But will as soon as I hear back.

No problem!!! Thanks!

Originally Posted by alexican

i think the spore count around here has been pretty high lately; maybe its that? or have you noticed any water damaged areas in your upstairs? there could be mold growing thats making you feel sick.

either way, that sucks that you're having such terrible allergies i hope you find the culprit and kick its ass sarah!

It's been happening since February so I know it's not the weather. As far as I can see there isn't any water damage. I will check everything in more detail now that you mention it.

Thanks!

[Siren7]

I'm sorry, huni! That sucks....I hate allergies!!

Definitely clean that carpet, you can rent a steamer and do it yourself for a lot cheaper. Do you know if any of your neighbors have cats? And like Alexis said, there may be mold....it may even be in the walls. After you try everything else, if it's still happening, You can have people come out and check for you.

<3 Feel better!!


~Nikki~

[alexican]

check around the windowsills and underneath the sink esp

Originally Posted by alexican

check around the windowsills and underneath the sink esp

Cool, thanks!

Originally Posted by Siren7

I'm sorry, huni! That sucks....I hate allergies!!

Definitely clean that carpet, you can rent a steamer and do it yourself for a lot cheaper. Do you know if any of your neighbors have cats? And like Alexis said, there may be mold....it may even be in the walls. After you try everything else, if it's still happening, You can have people come out and check for you.

<3 Feel better!!


~Nikki~

Thanks!!!

[Keyser Soze]

BTW, I would suggest getting a Dyson vacum, if you dont already have one. Our condo has carpeting through out, and I was having serious issues.....did a little research and although I though most vacums where the same, I was wrong.....my problems have decreased significantly since we bought our Dyson, and tossed out the old Hoover.

Be prepared though it's gonna run you upwards of around $600-$700.00...but seriously, it was worth every penny.

Have your air ducts cleaned and change your air filter.

[Tortures Dionysos]

Have you tried sleeping in the living room for a few nights to see if the problem is the same? If it is, then you can directly relate it to the bedroom itself.

Have you bought a new bed? New sheets? New comforter? Something new that is in that room?

Even though new carpet was put in, are you sure that a cat was NEVER on the carpet? Hopefully cleaning it will help fix the problem.

That sounds really horrible and scary! I hope you get it all fixed.

[crescentfresh]

Could be angioedema...which can be caused by any number of things.

The same thing happens to me, still don't know what causes it.

[Adam D]

My guess would be the carpet. New carpet is full of residual chemicals, and I would suspect the carpet and/or padding has formaldehyde or some other chemical that you are sensitive to. It may also just be carpet fibers are getting into the air, you are inhaling them, and they are irritating your sinuses.

Try avoiding the bedroom for a few days (sleep downstairs, don't be in the upstairs unless you absolutely have to) and see if you have the same problems. If you don't have any symptoms, try shampooing (to clean the chemicals out) and vacuuming (to get loose carpet fibers out) repeatedly for a while until the symptoms go away. You may also want to see your doctor.

[zymote]

The new owners may have changed the carpet, but are you sure they changed the pad as well? Sometimes people will try and cut corners and leave the old pad down - that's not good, since that's where all the really nasty shit is.

Also, you really ought to get your place checked out for mold. Even if there isn't any obvious water damage you can still have mold inside the walls. You'll need to get a professional mold inspection to verify this.