My house causing me health issues?

[shifty_uk]

Over the past year I’ve developed allergy-like symptoms, sneezing, coughing, runny nose which have progressively worsened to the stage its unbearable.

Doctors just prescribe antihistamines which make you drowsy and aren’t getting to the route of the cause.

Changed everything from shampoos, washing detergent, surface cleaners, stopped using aftershaves. Have a dog but thats not the cause as he’s with me everywhere i go. House is also spotless and dust free.

I’m reaching the conclusion that it must be something relating to the house.

Theory 1: Mould/dampness? Its a victorian villa, although nicely presented and decorated, it may have hidden dampness or something? Theres a high level of condensation and the extension(built by previous owner) isn’t exactly exemplary construction. No black mould showing.

Theory 2: A specific type of tree in the garden? I say this as i originally thought it was hay fever last summer. I could visit any country park and be fine but when restrictions eased i went to my other half’s parents, every time without fail, id be sitting in the garden sneezing with snotters streaming down my face! They have similar trees to my neighbours. Surely this would be seasonal though?

Has anyone experienced similar? With the house specifically, is there anything i can do to detect potential harmful dampness? As i write this, I’m lying with strepsils, pack of tissues, taken an antihistamine and sudafed just to sleep after waking up to a coughing/sneezing fit. Its pathetic but I’m miserable!

 

[shifty_uk]

You can develop allergies later in life. You mention that it can't be the dog, but then you say he goes everywhere with you... What are you like when you are away from him?

Take the dog to the office, sits in the car on the way to the park, even when he's being looked after during the day, when I collect him, I don't get any symptoms until I'm home.

How far are you from a road?

It's funny you should mention that; I'm set back from a main road. Traffic levels have been quieter this past year due to lockdowns though.

Could be hayfever, I’ve started really early this year and I normally start around May

That's why I thought I'd mention the tree scenario. Very unusual that I don't get any symptoms at parks with all manner of variety, though. The ones in the garden/inlaws are fir/arborvitae type things the size of the houses.

Have you looked at an air purifier/something that uses a hepa filter? That should help remove pollutants etc from the air.

Do these actually work? Always sceptical.

When I was 17 I ended up hospitalised with asthma because the landlord finally got round to addressing some of the damp issues in the house. Turns out that I'd been sleeping in a room at the epicentre of a massive dry rot problem all my life, which is why I'd had asthma and nasal allergy issues all that time.

So, er... it's possible there are hidden issues, even if that's 'just' the residue from previously treated damp issues. Pain in the backside to investigate, but what you're describing sounds like a lot more than just a change in local pollen types. Good luck tracking down the problems; allergies are seriously debilitating.

That sounds horrendous! I'm going to get a damp meter to get some readings along with a dehumidifier.

 

[shifty_uk]

Get a decent air purifier and see what happens they can remove multiple allergens including mould, pet hair, pollen, smoke, fumes,etc.

Phillips make some really good ones and don't cheap out spend decent money on it £200+

The £100 ones are only good enough to clean a single room.

Ok, I'll check them out.

How often do you vacuum the bed/mattress? Dust mite dust allergy is often overlooked and the average mattress is crawling with them.

Once a week. I start sneezing and coughing in any room of the house, mostly the hallway which is an open space leading to the extension. I could as easily be sat in the living room or cooking dinner in the kitchen and it starts.

 

[shifty_uk]

How often do you vacuum the bed/mattress? Dust mite dust allergy is often overlooked and the average mattress is crawling with them. Pollen isn't an issue at this time of year unless you have a lot of flowers in your house.

I've just realised, on thing I've never done is dust the chandelier. Although, the symptoms I'm experiencing seem far too extreme to be a bit of dust on the lighting?

 

[shifty_uk]

Theres no mould smells in the house.

Whats EMF? Ive just picked up a dehumidifier, ill run it for a few days.

 

[shifty_uk]

Just a little update on this thread...

As mentioned in the OP, changed everything and got the gadgets recommended. Eventually I spoke to a pharmacist who recommended some anti-histamines, a saline solution for my nose and told me to stay off the cough syrups. Tried that for quite a while.

It kept happening, my wheezing got worse, especially out running around or walking with the dog. Even at other random times, in the evenings after dinner for example. I also started vomiting after eating due to the coughing.

Eventually went to the doctors, they prescribed me stronger antihistamines, booked me in for bloods and an xray(which was due to happen next week).

Fast forward to today, the breathing and coughing was horrific even showing a small amount of blood. A member of staff had to pull me off the zoom call I was having over the other side of the office. I tried the doctors, could barely breath on the phone. They told me I couldn't get a phone appointment until later(no urgency) so the member of staff phoned NHS24 for me.

Spoke to them, the doctors phoned me right after...

I'm now lying in the hospital having been here since 11 this morning. Hooked up to an IV having undergone x-rays, CT scans, blood tests and ultrasounds.

Blood clot in the lung with what looks like asthma.

It's a new experience for me, never been in a hospital before, always try to be fit and healthy, don't smoke, don't drink. It just goes to show!

tl;dr Don't put off going to the doctors!

 

[shifty_uk]

Thanks chaps, appreciate it. I’ve been kept in another night but hoping to get out tomorrow.

Its quiet, tucked away in a room with no corridor noise. Credit due, the staff have been excellent, I wasn't waiting long to get booked in at A&E and then the subsequent treatments/tests. Everyone has been great and very thorough. Not the usual NHS stories you hear.

Perhaps its due to COVID but the cases waiting at A&E seemed very genuine. Unlike some A&E waiting rooms I’ve seen in the past whilst accompanying others.