Asthma and Hay Fever

[Bisoy]

All of us in the family suffer asthma or hay fever. I suffer a very bad hay fever allergies and on medication cetirizine syrup twice a day (due to shifting works), inhalers and eye drops. My wife and 2 children have asthma. My son who has asthma also got hay fever (he's 8). During this summer season we can't avoid opening our windows when we're sleeping as it's too hot. Would it be advisable for us to get an air cooler or air conditioner so that we could shut the windows and stays indoor. Hope somebody who suffers similar medical problems or medical experts would share their experience and what tips they would advise us. Thanks a lot in advance.

[waterlilyann]

Hi Bisoy

Sorry to hear you all suffer so badly. I cant offer any medical opinion but from personal experience I hope I can help. I suffer with severe hayfever which aggrevates my asthma (I suffered badly with asthma as a child but seemed to grow out of it until recently - hayfever has brought back old symptoms). My summer is confined pretty much indoors. I can't have the windows open at home however our house strangley seems to keep cooler this way. When I was younger, my mum used to dry all out washing on the line, but by stopping this I've found that this helps enormously with symptoms - especially with bed linen. We have fans EVERYWHERE in our house and a couple of hours before bed I put on 2 in the bedroom and shut the door so by the time it comes to go to bed, the bedroom is lovely and cool.
I know how hard this time of year is but the usual tips of sunglasses when you go out, change clothes when you get in and wash your hair seem to help. I would definatley invest in an air conditioner if I were you as your children seem to be suffering aswell.
I hope I haven't rambled and this helps a bit!! Good Luck!

[icecoolbabe]

I suffer really badly from certain allergies and have been on daily prescribed anti-histimines, eye drops and nasal sprays.

This spring/summer - it got to the extent that even with all the above, my sleep was so disturbed that I was permanently exhausted.

I have no carpets/curtains etc in my house and have a very strict routine regarding damp dusting, washing of bedding, duvets ets...

Then a few months ago, I bought one of these -

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/0520322.htm

It has changed my life literally!

I now sleep without waking up several times a night with eyes/nose streaming, wheezing etc.. - it has been marvellous.

On the lowest setting you can hardly hear it (that's the one I use). If I remember, I put it on the high setting about 30 mins before I go to bed. Since using this, I have stopped using the nasal spray and eye drops apart from on very occasional nights if the pollen count is very high and I just now have the one-a-day antihistmine.

If you are desperate then I would say it is worth every penny.

[Bisoy]

Thanks for sharing your personal experience and the remedies that you've tried. I will definitely look into icecoolbabe's suggestion but maybe not after we come back from holiday to America. We have quite big expenses this month and most of our insurance (house and car) are due so budget are so tight. We have a 3 floor terraced house and although our ground floor is laminate floors 2nd and 3rd and all 3 bedrooms are not.

Although my symptoms are not as bad after seeing my GP last week and having taking cetirizine syrup twice a day instead of the normal once a day tablet dose. My worries is my son. His is as bad as mine and his eyes are really sore and red. I might need to get another appointment so that he'll be reviewed again. He is also taking oral cetirizine and eye drops. Anyway thanks for all your tips and I will bear that in mind.