diagnosed with dust mite allergy and was exposed to it...

[kno-kno]

I was told in feb.07 that I was allergic to dust mites and really did not understand it. But today boy! I was trying to find a lid for a pot and opened the lower door under the oven and could not get it closed after retrieving the lid. I pulled the drawer out all the way and saw that several items had fallen behind the drawer. I pulled the drawer all the way out and got down on my hands and knees to get the things out of the way, and low and behold my chest and throat began to tightened up. By the time I stood up I was having asthma just that fast! I ran to the bedroom where my mom was and told her what was happening. It turned out that area was under the stove and had never been cleaned in the 20 years she has lived in the house!! Bummer....
I am sitting up right now because when I lie down in bed I start having this dry cough and feeling of heaviness in my chest. I have had 4 breathing treatments today with little relief along with singular and serevent. I was instantly taken back to square one again. I know that it is going to take sometime to get back to where I was, it took almost a month to start feeling as good as I was feeling today. I have had my experience with cigarette smoke and now dust mites. I have allergies to pollen, grass, trees and many more. I am truly not looking forward to the next crazy reaction. There are things you just can't avoid. The allergy doctor told me I needed to be in a bubble but I did not understand. But I am quickly learning the meaning, he was trying to tell me woman when you come into contact with these things you are allergic to it could be really dangerous and to put you in a bubble would take the threat of an offending allergen from causing you more problems. I pray through out the day for health and strength to deal with this allergic asthma its really rough. Looks like the struggle has not begun, my outside invironment is still so unpredictable and my inside environment.
kno-kno

[Titchou]

I strongly suggest you do allergy injections to desensitize you. Dust mites are everywhere and there is no way to avoid them....same for the stuff that grows outdoors. I'm allergic to everything they test for in the standard test.
I finished up my last series of allergy injections a little over a year ago. Works wonderfully.

[Sannah]

KnoKno, it doesn't look like you are on any antihistamines like Zyrtec. I would ask your doctor about it. Do you have dust mite covers on your mattress/pillow (wash them periodically too)? Do you keep your windows closed to keep out the pollen? I would also shower every night before bed to wash the pollen out of your hair. This will give you a nice break over night while you sleep. Wash your seasonal clothes when you take them out of storage, they are full of dust mites. This is a big thing for my family. If you like yogurt, eating it everyday will keep your immune system in tip-top shape (immune cells are in the gut and acidophilus in yogurt keeps gut normal flora healthy).

[Evie4]

Like Sannah said. One of the worst places is in your pillows and mattress. If you haven't already, you need to purchase covers made to control the mites. I also used a product to kill the mites and washed the pillows and comforter before putting covers on. There is a place on line that sells a variety of items at different price levels. This alone made a dramatic change for my husband and me.

Mites like the glue on new books believe it or not. You might want to look for some articles that can enlighten you more on mites and what might be some of the most beneficial changes you can make with the most impact. I clean a lot and keep material possessions to a minimum so I can clean more easily.