Options for cleaning with allergies?
August 21, 2010 2:07 PM Subscribe
I'm an ex-ish packrat trying to go through all my old boxes of junk to sort and destroy. The problem is that touching these boxes starts off what seem to be vicious allergies of the streaming nose, explosive sneezing, and itchy eyes variety.
This isn't new - I've had the same problem doing big cleans and whenever I've packed to move for the last twenty years. My husband has to vacuum because that sets me off too.
As soon as I start handling dusty stuff it starts - the only way I can describe it is that it's like I can feel the dust seeping into my blood through my skin, then one big sneeze and my nose becomes Niagara. The other day I poked into two boxes for about ten minutes, looking for a present I had meant to bring on a trip. I left the house about half an hour later and had the runny nose etc. for two days (the usual length), despite taking an antihistamine and then leaving the house completely for several days.
I've been tested for allergies and am supposedly highly allergic to cats (always have at least one cat and am usually fine) but not to dust, so it might be cat dander in the dust, or possibly molds.
I really really want to go through this stuff already, but generally I can do one or two boxes at the most and then I'm out for the day with a couple of boxes of kleenex stuffed in my nostrils. Surgical masks do nothing but make it harder to breathe and blow my nose when it starts running, antihistamines don't touch it... does anyone else have this problem, and what works for you?
This isn't new - I've had the same problem doing big cleans and whenever I've packed to move for the last twenty years. My husband has to vacuum because that sets me off too.
As soon as I start handling dusty stuff it starts - the only way I can describe it is that it's like I can feel the dust seeping into my blood through my skin, then one big sneeze and my nose becomes Niagara. The other day I poked into two boxes for about ten minutes, looking for a present I had meant to bring on a trip. I left the house about half an hour later and had the runny nose etc. for two days (the usual length), despite taking an antihistamine and then leaving the house completely for several days.
I've been tested for allergies and am supposedly highly allergic to cats (always have at least one cat and am usually fine) but not to dust, so it might be cat dander in the dust, or possibly molds.
I really really want to go through this stuff already, but generally I can do one or two boxes at the most and then I'm out for the day with a couple of boxes of kleenex stuffed in my nostrils. Surgical masks do nothing but make it harder to breathe and blow my nose when it starts running, antihistamines don't touch it... does anyone else have this problem, and what works for you?
Best answer: I have the same problem, ugh! I'm currently in the midst of reorganizing boxes of old paperwork and it feels like every cell in my body has gone to war. Traditional antihistamines knock me out, so that's counterproductive to trying to get any work done, but I've had a little bit of luck with loratadine (the generic version of Claritin). It doesn't clear up the problem completely, but it makes it bearable enough to work for about an hour or two at a time.
Another thing that helps is to keep a wet washcloth nearby, to wipe my face when I feel the dust seeping into my skin (I know exactly what you mean when you described it like that), and to drink lots of water to feel hydrated while I'm cleaning.
My reaction isn't severe enough to need to leave the house, but I definitely have to pace myself and spread the project out over several days.
Good luck to you. I completely understand your frustration.
posted by amyms at 2:29 PM on August 21, 2010
Another thing that helps is to keep a wet washcloth nearby, to wipe my face when I feel the dust seeping into my skin (I know exactly what you mean when you described it like that), and to drink lots of water to feel hydrated while I'm cleaning.
My reaction isn't severe enough to need to leave the house, but I definitely have to pace myself and spread the project out over several days.
Good luck to you. I completely understand your frustration.
posted by amyms at 2:29 PM on August 21, 2010
Best answer: Surgical masks do nothing for filtering allergens - they prevent the wearer (you) from breathing on others, nothing more.
Get a real respirator designed for filtering dust - something like this: Toxic Dust Respirator
posted by jpeacock at 2:30 PM on August 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
Get a real respirator designed for filtering dust - something like this: Toxic Dust Respirator
posted by jpeacock at 2:30 PM on August 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Some antihistamines take at least a few days of being in your system before they really do their best work. I would start taking loratadine (or the like) 7-14 days before planning some time to start sorting through all the old stuff.
posted by dayintoday at 2:37 PM on August 21, 2010
posted by dayintoday at 2:37 PM on August 21, 2010
Seconding a proper respirator. Also, can you work outside? Sometimes it helps if breezes can dilute the dust a little. Try to stay upwind as much as possible.
posted by Quietgal at 2:38 PM on August 21, 2010
posted by Quietgal at 2:38 PM on August 21, 2010
Best answer: I have this problem in a big way!
Take Zyrtec, or a generic (cetirizine hydrochloride), about 1 hour before you start. Don't get the kind with decongestant. That is really only necessary if you have a cold or are making crystal meth.
Make sure what you get is a non-drowsy antihistamine. You do not want diphenhydramine (two brand names: Benadryl Allergy, Nytol, Sominex), they will make you sleepy.
Loratadine works well, but you do have to start a few days before it really helps.
posted by wandering_not_lost at 3:11 PM on August 21, 2010
Take Zyrtec, or a generic (cetirizine hydrochloride), about 1 hour before you start. Don't get the kind with decongestant. That is really only necessary if you have a cold or are making crystal meth.
Make sure what you get is a non-drowsy antihistamine. You do not want diphenhydramine (two brand names: Benadryl Allergy, Nytol, Sominex), they will make you sleepy.
Loratadine works well, but you do have to start a few days before it really helps.
posted by wandering_not_lost at 3:11 PM on August 21, 2010
Have you tried washing out your sinuses with a neti pot?
posted by annsunny at 10:42 PM on August 21, 2010
posted by annsunny at 10:42 PM on August 21, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll give everything a try.
annsuny, I have a neti pot and have tried to use it for this, but when Niagara is going there's so much mucus the water can't get in.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 7:07 AM on August 23, 2010
annsuny, I have a neti pot and have tried to use it for this, but when Niagara is going there's so much mucus the water can't get in.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 7:07 AM on August 23, 2010
Do you actually use a N95 Dust/Surgical mask or just a cheap-o mask from Wal-Mart?
posted by cinemafiend at 7:17 AM on August 24, 2010
posted by cinemafiend at 7:17 AM on August 24, 2010
Response by poster: Canadian Tire cheap-o mask.
I'll try a week's prep of allergy pills first, and if that doesn't help then I'll invest in a more serious mask.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 1:10 PM on August 24, 2010
I'll try a week's prep of allergy pills first, and if that doesn't help then I'll invest in a more serious mask.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 1:10 PM on August 24, 2010
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What I find helps - your results may vary - is water. Lots and lots of water. This doesn't stop the initial symptoms, but if I drink water like a maniac, lie down and take it easy generally after an initial attack, it wears off after a few hours and I don't get the out-for-the-count-for-two-days thing.
Also really good: lie down with a cold towel or kitchen paper over your eyes and nose. It's bliss. I sometimes put a bit of cold water around the edges of the inside of my nostrils to 'cool them down'. No idea if it has any effect, probably just a nice calming placebo.
Interested you came up negative for dust, as your symptoms sound exactly the same as mine and it's *definitely* dust. If I get grime on my fingers from, e.g., under my desk at work, I have to wash it off immediately and blow my nose for a bit, or I'm done for the week.
posted by sleepcrime at 2:22 PM on August 21, 2010