Air Quality Issues
December 10, 2004 10:33 AM Subscribe
Los Angeles is making me sick. [more inside]
It's the dust. I've lived in New York and Philly most of my life with nary a problem from their fragrant pollution, but a dry dusty desert clime like LA is making me miserable.
I wake up every morning with a hacking cough, usually not very productive, interspersed with a flurry of violent sneezes. The coughing continues at a lower frequency throughout the day, though soothed by hot drinks. I can't even sing in the car during my morning commute anymore, because my throat is usually too sore. I've never smoked tobacco, I don't hang out in bars (smoky or otherwise), and I only rarely use pot (and even then, it's filtered in a water pipe).
It's almost certainly not an infection: while I am immuno-compromised due to childhood splenectomy, any mucus that manages to come up is clear or only slightly yellow. And besides, I'm already on a very strong antibiotic (doxycycline--to treat persistent adult acne aggravated by the no-spleen thing), so that surely would have killed off anything bad lurking in my lungs or sinuses.
And it's almost certainly LA-specific, or at least desert-specific. Symptoms reduce maybe 80-90% within 48 hours of landing in Florida or New York or Japan or other non-desert places I've visited in the past year. And I visited an allergist back in NY for the "patch test", where they inject tiny amounts of potential allergens into your upper arm, cover it and wait a few days, and then see which ones make you react. I had a small reaction to grass, cat allergens, and dog allergens, but I had a huge reaction to the dust one--that spot swelled up a lot and was really painful. My brother had the same test run the year before with almost identical results: major dust allergy. Actually, almost every close relative I have is affected by allergies of various sorts to moderate or strong degrees--but none of them lives in LA or other dusty-dirty cities, and so I can't ask their advice about how to cope.
(I do have two cats--but I had them in NY too, in a far smaller apartment, with no problems there. Don't even think about telling me to get rid of them.)
Taking Allegra every day reduces the symptoms, but only somewhat. And I really don't want to stay on it every single day, because allergy meds sometimes make me a little loopy. And they'd probably do that moreso when combined with the crazy-strong antibiotic I'm already on, which sometimes makes me a bit dizzy and queasy.
How do other people deal with dusty, disgusting air quality? Is there anything I could buy or eat or drink or do to relieve the symptoms and soothe my throat and lungs? I have an appointment with my (new) general practitioner next month for my yearly physical. Is there anything (new medicines, other treatment options) I should ask him about in particular? Suggestions or comments would be gratefully *cough, wheeze, hack* welcomed.
It's the dust. I've lived in New York and Philly most of my life with nary a problem from their fragrant pollution, but a dry dusty desert clime like LA is making me miserable.
I wake up every morning with a hacking cough, usually not very productive, interspersed with a flurry of violent sneezes. The coughing continues at a lower frequency throughout the day, though soothed by hot drinks. I can't even sing in the car during my morning commute anymore, because my throat is usually too sore. I've never smoked tobacco, I don't hang out in bars (smoky or otherwise), and I only rarely use pot (and even then, it's filtered in a water pipe).
It's almost certainly not an infection: while I am immuno-compromised due to childhood splenectomy, any mucus that manages to come up is clear or only slightly yellow. And besides, I'm already on a very strong antibiotic (doxycycline--to treat persistent adult acne aggravated by the no-spleen thing), so that surely would have killed off anything bad lurking in my lungs or sinuses.
And it's almost certainly LA-specific, or at least desert-specific. Symptoms reduce maybe 80-90% within 48 hours of landing in Florida or New York or Japan or other non-desert places I've visited in the past year. And I visited an allergist back in NY for the "patch test", where they inject tiny amounts of potential allergens into your upper arm, cover it and wait a few days, and then see which ones make you react. I had a small reaction to grass, cat allergens, and dog allergens, but I had a huge reaction to the dust one--that spot swelled up a lot and was really painful. My brother had the same test run the year before with almost identical results: major dust allergy. Actually, almost every close relative I have is affected by allergies of various sorts to moderate or strong degrees--but none of them lives in LA or other dusty-dirty cities, and so I can't ask their advice about how to cope.
(I do have two cats--but I had them in NY too, in a far smaller apartment, with no problems there. Don't even think about telling me to get rid of them.)
Taking Allegra every day reduces the symptoms, but only somewhat. And I really don't want to stay on it every single day, because allergy meds sometimes make me a little loopy. And they'd probably do that moreso when combined with the crazy-strong antibiotic I'm already on, which sometimes makes me a bit dizzy and queasy.
How do other people deal with dusty, disgusting air quality? Is there anything I could buy or eat or drink or do to relieve the symptoms and soothe my throat and lungs? I have an appointment with my (new) general practitioner next month for my yearly physical. Is there anything (new medicines, other treatment options) I should ask him about in particular? Suggestions or comments would be gratefully *cough, wheeze, hack* welcomed.
I'm not sure about where in LA you live, but is it possible to move closer to the coast or to a higher elevation in the mountains? Air quality through the basin varies a lot.
Is it the dust or the low humidity that is destroying your throat? If it's the latter, a humidifier might help.
Also, was the allergic reaction to dust as in particulate matter? I always thought conventional dust allergies were to fecal matter from dust mites, which might be a problem even with the HEPA filters, if are living in your bedding.
posted by amber_dale at 10:53 AM on December 10, 2004
Is it the dust or the low humidity that is destroying your throat? If it's the latter, a humidifier might help.
Also, was the allergic reaction to dust as in particulate matter? I always thought conventional dust allergies were to fecal matter from dust mites, which might be a problem even with the HEPA filters, if are living in your bedding.
posted by amber_dale at 10:53 AM on December 10, 2004
I think you need to be tested by an allergist in L.A. They will test for pollens, plants, trees, etc. that are present in your environment. For all I know, the molds tested might be different. I've been tested in TX and WA and the plants, trees, etc. were very different on either test.
posted by lobakgo at 11:04 AM on December 10, 2004
posted by lobakgo at 11:04 AM on December 10, 2004
It could be a bedding issue. They make allergen covers for the mattress and box springs, as well as pillows - they just zip on. I've used them and they help, but I could never get used to the feel of the pillow covers under my normal pillowcases. If you decide to go with the covers, I would get a good cotton mattress pad to put over it, especially if you get hot when you sleep, it will help disperse the heat that normally goes through the mattress. You will also want to make sure you wash it when you wash your sheets, in hot water to kill any dust mites (there is also a poison you can add to the wash, but I could never get used to the smell).
If you are on any allergy medication, it may also help to take it when you go to bed, instead of first thing in the morning. I have terrible dust allergies too, so if you need more info/ideas, feel free to e-mail me.
posted by blackkar at 11:07 AM on December 10, 2004
If you are on any allergy medication, it may also help to take it when you go to bed, instead of first thing in the morning. I have terrible dust allergies too, so if you need more info/ideas, feel free to e-mail me.
posted by blackkar at 11:07 AM on December 10, 2004
In a lot of cases dust mites are the problem indoors but I don't think it's the case here. I do agree with amber_dale about getting closer to the coast. It gets much better in the marine layer/coastal fog zone. The humidity keeps the dust down. And an indoor humidifier or two does help somewhat. But when the Santa Anas are blowing there's nothing to do but wait it out.
Allergies often get worse over time in a particular locale as your immune system becomes more reactive to the local allergens. I moved back East because eventually my allergies (and ensuing sinus infections and ear problems) became intolerable. My problems disappeared as soon as I got out of SoCal.
posted by TimeFactor at 11:14 AM on December 10, 2004
Allergies often get worse over time in a particular locale as your immune system becomes more reactive to the local allergens. I moved back East because eventually my allergies (and ensuing sinus infections and ear problems) became intolerable. My problems disappeared as soon as I got out of SoCal.
posted by TimeFactor at 11:14 AM on December 10, 2004
Response by poster: I live in the Fairfax/Park La Brea area, just across from the Farmer's Market, and thus the smog is not as bad as, say, the San Fernando or San Gabriel valleys, but I'm still far from the water. Visiting the Getty Center and looking out over the expanse of clearly-demarcated brown goo covering the entire city, including my local area, is a profoundly depressing experience.
But my husband and I are looking to buy our first house sometime next year. We were thinking about as far away as Pasadena, because the housing prices are so ridiculously inflated out here ($800,000 for a small three-bedroom in trendy and "affordable" Silver Lake?! WTF!?) amd because I love the Craftsman style homes there. But Pasadena also has infamously bad air quality, so I think now we'll be looking at Santa Monica or the Hollywood Hills too, which are even more expensive areas... Do you think it would only be better up in the Hills, or wouldn't some of the canyon areas (Laurel, Beverly Glen, Nichols, etc.) have better air too? They do seem to be about 15 degrees colder than the rest of the city from shade and downdrafts.
The humidifier idea sounds really good. I just realized that the three places I mentioned where symptoms cleared up quickly (New York, Florida, Japan) are not only non-desert but also humid coastal areas.
Any recommendations for Los Angeles area allergists?
And thank you, everyone, for your suggestions.
posted by Asparagirl at 11:37 AM on December 10, 2004
But my husband and I are looking to buy our first house sometime next year. We were thinking about as far away as Pasadena, because the housing prices are so ridiculously inflated out here ($800,000 for a small three-bedroom in trendy and "affordable" Silver Lake?! WTF!?) amd because I love the Craftsman style homes there. But Pasadena also has infamously bad air quality, so I think now we'll be looking at Santa Monica or the Hollywood Hills too, which are even more expensive areas... Do you think it would only be better up in the Hills, or wouldn't some of the canyon areas (Laurel, Beverly Glen, Nichols, etc.) have better air too? They do seem to be about 15 degrees colder than the rest of the city from shade and downdrafts.
The humidifier idea sounds really good. I just realized that the three places I mentioned where symptoms cleared up quickly (New York, Florida, Japan) are not only non-desert but also humid coastal areas.
Any recommendations for Los Angeles area allergists?
And thank you, everyone, for your suggestions.
posted by Asparagirl at 11:37 AM on December 10, 2004
From the zip code, looks like you're near downtown, and I echo the advice to try closer to the coast, though it's pricey. I lived on the border of Southgate and Huntington Park for a while, and used a bicycle for transportation during that time, and there were some days that I could have sworn the dust, grime, and pollution were not only going to give me lung cancer they were actually going to asphyxiate me outright. Then I moved to a nicer part of Harbor City/Torrance (and got a car). There's a huge difference in the character and quality of the air between the city center and the coast.
But do see an allergist in the area if you can. They're probably used to seeing your troubles.
posted by weston at 11:39 AM on December 10, 2004
But do see an allergist in the area if you can. They're probably used to seeing your troubles.
posted by weston at 11:39 AM on December 10, 2004
Asparagirl: the canyon areas are very pleasant, but check the traffic through some that are actually corridors through the Santa Monica mountains.
posted by weston at 11:41 AM on December 10, 2004
posted by weston at 11:41 AM on December 10, 2004
You might also try an area that's in the costal barrier area; i.e. Cypress -- It's not as expensive, but you're in that weird little mile-wide strip that doesn't get the salt spray and sea fog, but still has enough of the offshore breezes to keep the dusty, dry santa anas mostly at bay.
posted by SpecialK at 12:25 PM on December 10, 2004
posted by SpecialK at 12:25 PM on December 10, 2004
Asparagirl, I'm very near your neighborhood (Miracle Mile representin'!), and I've actually found this area to be notably less dusty than either my old apartment in Los Feliz (which was so bad I developed asthma for the first time) or anyplace I ever lived in Chicago. (I have wall-to-wall carpeting for the first time, instead of hardwood floors throughout, so that may be a factor too.)
Perhaps it is a more immediate environment thing? I've found, for example, that I've developed much more of an intolerance for having tons and tons of books where I sleep (my sister has developed this too) -- something about the combination of dust and all that paper. I still have books in my bedroom, but fewer and more of the higher quality ones (most paperbacks now go in the living room), and that seems to have reduced the dry hacking cough in the middle of the night quite a bit.
In terms of other neighborhoods, in addition to seconding weston's suggestion of Torrance, I have friends who live down in San Pedro (and got a gorgeous old Craftsman for less than it would ever cost in Pasadena) who swear by the air down there. (And besides, Pasadena gets hideously hot in the summer.)
As far as your immediate misery goes, my coworker has pretty nasty allergies -- so I'll ask her in the meantime if she knows someone to recommend to you. And definitely run a humidifier -- it's easy to forget (especially when we just had all that rain!) just how dry it really is here.
posted by scody at 12:35 PM on December 10, 2004
Perhaps it is a more immediate environment thing? I've found, for example, that I've developed much more of an intolerance for having tons and tons of books where I sleep (my sister has developed this too) -- something about the combination of dust and all that paper. I still have books in my bedroom, but fewer and more of the higher quality ones (most paperbacks now go in the living room), and that seems to have reduced the dry hacking cough in the middle of the night quite a bit.
In terms of other neighborhoods, in addition to seconding weston's suggestion of Torrance, I have friends who live down in San Pedro (and got a gorgeous old Craftsman for less than it would ever cost in Pasadena) who swear by the air down there. (And besides, Pasadena gets hideously hot in the summer.)
As far as your immediate misery goes, my coworker has pretty nasty allergies -- so I'll ask her in the meantime if she knows someone to recommend to you. And definitely run a humidifier -- it's easy to forget (especially when we just had all that rain!) just how dry it really is here.
posted by scody at 12:35 PM on December 10, 2004
I had the same problem but then I figured out it was certain types of plants, and not dust or mold (which had been suggested).
If I were you, I would go live in Santa Monica for a couple of days at a hotel (doesn't have to be an expensive one) and see if there's a difference. Try that in a few areas and see how you feel.
posted by chaz at 12:37 PM on December 10, 2004
If I were you, I would go live in Santa Monica for a couple of days at a hotel (doesn't have to be an expensive one) and see if there's a difference. Try that in a few areas and see how you feel.
posted by chaz at 12:37 PM on December 10, 2004
San Pedro works, but not Long Beach - the direction of the wind blows the smoke from the harbour (ships and so forth) toward Long Beach. We had nasty black dust covering everything on a daily basis, four blocks from the beach and a mile from the shipping port itself. I also developed a dust/mold allergy, but it was worse at certain times of year.
posted by annathea at 12:48 PM on December 10, 2004
posted by annathea at 12:48 PM on December 10, 2004
Personally, I think you should get out of LA, but that's probably not feasible. The last time I was in LA was about 16 years ago, for one night. I flew in to help my then-GF pack up her car, and we drove out the next morning. Flying into LAX I had that mind-blowing experince of passing through the smog blanket from above: You can see planes rise out of it like fish from the water, but once you pass into it, it's as though it's not really there....
We were on the highway out of the city when I started to feel my chest sieze up. (I was asthmatic as a child.) I kept thinking about that smog blanket, and crossing my fingers in hope that it would clear up when we hit the desert. It did.
posted by lodurr at 12:59 PM on December 10, 2004
We were on the highway out of the city when I started to feel my chest sieze up. (I was asthmatic as a child.) I kept thinking about that smog blanket, and crossing my fingers in hope that it would clear up when we hit the desert. It did.
posted by lodurr at 12:59 PM on December 10, 2004
By the way, the type of building can make a huge difference, as well. Whenever I'm living and working in a wood-framed building, I'm fine. I don't have any problems with allergies, even when I'm over at friends houses who have pets.
If I'm in a concrete building, like a large apartment building or a large office building, I need to be hopped up on allergy drugs and I'm always short of breath. I just recently moved out of a downtown concrete condo, and two days after living in a nice three-story wood framed apartment building I was off of the inhaler, the allegra, the prescription expectorant cough syrup, and the powder inhaler to improve oxygen flow enough so that I could work out without passing out...
posted by SpecialK at 1:31 PM on December 10, 2004
If I'm in a concrete building, like a large apartment building or a large office building, I need to be hopped up on allergy drugs and I'm always short of breath. I just recently moved out of a downtown concrete condo, and two days after living in a nice three-story wood framed apartment building I was off of the inhaler, the allegra, the prescription expectorant cough syrup, and the powder inhaler to improve oxygen flow enough so that I could work out without passing out...
posted by SpecialK at 1:31 PM on December 10, 2004
I am in love with Flonase. Much better than Allegra.
Try it for a couple weeks.
posted by mudpuppie at 2:07 PM on December 10, 2004
Try it for a couple weeks.
posted by mudpuppie at 2:07 PM on December 10, 2004
We had nasty black dust covering everything on a daily basis,
Tires will cause this too; living by a major freeway. Lived in-between where the 91 & 5 intersected.
posted by thomcatspike at 3:07 PM on December 10, 2004
Tires will cause this too; living by a major freeway. Lived in-between where the 91 & 5 intersected.
posted by thomcatspike at 3:07 PM on December 10, 2004
Miracle Mile in the house!
I second scody's suggestion of San Pedro. I'm not allergic like you but even I notice the difference in the air down there. With the way the coast curves East around Palos Verdes, you practically have two coasts in the area keeping the dust at bay. Pedro also has some hilly areas (Beacon Hill) which could give you even more protection.
Also, if you enjoy areas like Silver Lake you'll probably enjoy the local Long Beach/Pedro scene as well.
posted by samh23 at 6:00 PM on December 10, 2004
I second scody's suggestion of San Pedro. I'm not allergic like you but even I notice the difference in the air down there. With the way the coast curves East around Palos Verdes, you practically have two coasts in the area keeping the dust at bay. Pedro also has some hilly areas (Beacon Hill) which could give you even more protection.
Also, if you enjoy areas like Silver Lake you'll probably enjoy the local Long Beach/Pedro scene as well.
posted by samh23 at 6:00 PM on December 10, 2004
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posted by Asparagirl at 10:43 AM on December 10, 2004