These allergies make me really, really sad.

JenniferTCU · January 2012

Jace has had seasonal (uhm, all four seasons apparently) allergies and always has (I have them, too). Well, it's just gotten ridiculous. I pump him full of meds (which terrifies me but the drs say it's the only way to treat) and his nose still constantly runs. Anytime you see my sweet baby boy, his nose is running. It just breaks my heart. In addition to the seasonal stuff, he has lots of food allergies (peanuts are the only thing that I worry about) and he's allergic to my dogs. I vacuum constantly, keep them out as much as possible, and try to keep Jace away from them (not easy).

I am toying with the idea of installing hardwood floor in the now carpeted areas of the bottom floor of our house. This would cost a significant amount of money and I have no idea how much this would affect things for him.

This all just sucks.

1. Would you ever give your pets away if your child was allergic to them (I need to go back and ask his doctor what his level was re: the dogs).

2. Would you consider installing costly flooring in order to try to remove as much carpet as possible from the home?

3. Do you have any other ideas re: allergies? It weighs on my mind constantly and I feel like I could be doing more but don't know what that is.

I thank and appreciate you girls

xoxo

BrideBuddies · January 2012

Oh man... that sux.

Pets are hard... I guess I'd think about how old they are and how much longer they're likely to be around. Do you have any friends who would take them so Jace and you could still see them?

Carpet is tough, too. I know when I lay on the floor in C's room, my nose always gets completely clogged, too. So I know carpets are a big mess o' allergens. I guess if you can swing it, I'd do it in the main living areas, at least.

Have you thought about a whole house filter system? I have no idea how much they cost or how well they work.

You might also want to get your air ducts and furnace cleaned regularly. I'd probably do that first over everything else.

lindac1 · January 2012

Man, this sounds really frustrating. My DD has seasonal allergies and food allergies as well, but they are not as bad as your son's, from the sound of it. But, I have an idea of how you must be feeling.

I can tell you - we did rip out the carpeting in the main level of our house and I think it has made a big difference for her. It was costly but looking back, I'm so glad we did it. We had replaced the carpeting upstairs prior to learning about all her allergies so we left that alone.

We do not have any pets, but I would not get them. Growing up with them, I know how hard it is to really get them out of the carpet, furniture, etc. Plus, I see how DD gets when we're at houses of friends who have cats and dogs. Several times, we've been places where you never saw evidence of cats (no toys around and cats in an upstairs room) but she reacted because of the cat dander in the furniture/carpet.

The only other thing I'd do, and wish I had in our current house, is air conditioning. Even the allergist recommended it. Springtime is especially hard for DD w/the pollen and having windows open. We are seriously considering installing one of those ductless a/c units so I don't have to open the windows as much.

ETA - we ripped out the carpeting on the main level and replaced it w/hardwood. We left upstairs alone because it was costly to replace the carpet and it wasn't in the budget to replace it again w/wood!

stever · January 2012

Aw Jen, I'm so sorry you guys are going through all this. Poor Jace! Poor you!!!

To answer you question, I would never, ever get rid of my beloved cat unless there was a life-threatening allergy situation. As it is, M seems allergy free - touch wood - but I am allergic to anything and everything that is airborne. If we owned then I would invest in some hardwood flooring in a heartbeat!

So my rec would be new flooring and some kick ass air filters.

Good luck, girl, and hugs.

robynlesley · January 2012

That really sucks, Jen. I'm so sorry.

I've recently developed allergies, including one to dogs, and am pondering allergy shots. But I am nearly 42 and not 2... but I don't know what I'd do about pets if it were Aaron with the allergies. I'd probably invest in the floors if I could afford it.

Cheekers2010 · January 2012

I have terrible year round allergies as well as pet allergies. I've had them since I was a small child. So, from my lifelong perspective I would say that getting the hardwood floors is a great idea, I would also consider a vacuum with hepa filter. Additionally I would consider putting anti allergen covers on his pillows and mattress. Finally having an air filter in his bedroom and rooms the dogs are in may be helpful.

Eta-grammar

newbee36 · January 2012

I used to work at a clinic that dealt with allergies. And we had on average 3-4 kids per day coming. From my 8 year experience there, this is what I know. There are substances that you can be allergic to and there are substances that are not typical allergens, but they still do not agree with you. The worst symptoms come when you are in contact with the allergens and with several of these substances that you are intolerant to. They all attack your immune system. Imagine you are in fight with someone. You will be tired. But then imagine fighting against several someones at the same time. You will be wicked exhausted. That is the same analogy with the things that are bothering your immune system.

I would definitely worry about all the food items that you know Jace is allergic to, get rid of the carpeting and see how he does. If he still has hard time, as hard as it is, I would get rid of the pets if I know for fact that he is allergic to them. Keeping him on meds does not solve the problem, as the meds don't cure the allergies, they just cure the symptoms. So they act kind a like anesthesia. You don't feel pain, but you still get scars. But that is me, and you may find some other ways to deal with it.

CheezeFace · January 2012

I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this. It is really a tough situation. I'm not really an allergy sufferer but my dad is and I watched him become absolutely miserable as winter melted into spring and he would stay that way until autumn. Then the heaters would kick on and we would have to deal with that as well...im also a huge animal lover and can't imagine life without my fur baby. That being said ....

If the allergies were significant enough I would absolutely find another home for the animals. I only say this because once I left my Dad's house and he no longer had a cat around (a cat whom he loved very much) he became a totally different person. He has a dog now and he is mildly allergic to it but nothing like a cat. I'm not joking - the change in my Dad's demeanor was dramatic. It was like having a whole new Dad in some ways. He wasn't exhausted all the time, didn't have Kleenex constantly falling out of his pockets, etc.... I won't even get a cat now because my house is too small for him and a cat and he visits quite regularly.

I would absolutely consider putting in wood over carpet. Even try this before getting rid of the pets but I would do it regardless. Wood is a bit pricey but there are good alternatives. Laminate has come a long way in aesthetics and is more durable than wood...especially with kids and/or pets. Even tile would be a good choice if you live in an area that will allow for a bit cooler floor. When we ripped the carpet out of my house it only took me about two days to realize just how filthy dirty our carpet was. It was amazing the stuff you could see on the wood that you would never have noticed in or on the carpet.

We also invested in a Dyson and while it was expensive I would say it has been worth every penny.

Good luck. I know this is hard.

Ilumine · January 2012

I would re home (no shelters though) my dogs and cat if my child had such an allergy.

Your child did not ask to be put into such an uncomfortable life...you are choosing to do it to him. How awful for him to live within a drugged up haze and a constantly went nose?

Again, I as REHOME to a reliable family.

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