Monday, June 2, 2008

An update on the allergies

My mother called me today to give her regular Nicole report.

The day after that big hive attack the night before I left for LA, the little one was fine during the day.  However, she got a minor attack that evening... and she didn't drink the offending dairy drink.  There must have been something else giving her trouble...

So, since the pediatrician suspected dust and dust mites, my mother dutifully had the rugs and carpets in the rooms Nicole plays and stays in rolled up and put away, just to see what would happen.  No hives!!!  I guess the pediatrician was right too.

Since Nicole didn't initially suffer any allergies with these rugs and carpets, my guess is that enough dust and dirt has accumulated on them to offend her immune system.  So, a regular cleaning will need to be scheduled to keep her play area and sleeping places clean and dust-free.

FOR THOSE IN MANILA: might any of you have information on those Bissell deep cleaning machines, or on a really great rug and carpet cleaning service?  Please PM me any information you may have.  Thanks!

39 comments:

arkitekfhc . said...

Oh gosh, I hope she gets over this soon.
Could it be the lotion, soap or shampoo? I bet it's the laundry detergent. May have to buy those special detergent soaps here to take back home. If not, it may be time for a prick-allergy-test to determine the culprit before taking meds. Well, I'll hope for the best. Let me check with friends who are specialists in the field but usually, they assume the laundry detergent, lotions and soaps. Take care.

Girlie Rodis said...

will ask Panjee Tapales--I remember she gave me a contact on a dust mites cleaning service. Her sons have allergies too.

Bob Guerrero said...

Well I have a very good allergologist in Makati Med. I can refer. Try calling Prisgene cleaners at 892 3594. Look for Matt. Tell him I referred you. :)

Rico del Rosario said...

At home we use Victoria laundry soap, http://www.mtmayon.com/victoria.php which promises to be all natural and no nasty chemicals. That might help.

Clarice P said...

In addition to the deep cleaning machines and/or a carpet cleaning service, you may also want to invest on HEPA air purifiers in her room and other rooms she frequents. These do a good job of filtering dust, dust mites and other airborne allergens. I bought one a few months ago, and my allergic reactions have since been greatly reduced.

If they're available in Manila, I recommend any of the purifiers in the Honeywell True HEPA Quietcaire line. Amazon.com has some fairly objective reviews on them and several other brands.

furniture station said...

For the entire year last year, my face would always turn RED due to my allergy on dust and dust mites. i have been prescribed anti - histamine drugs and all sorts of hypo allergenic lotions,soaps,face creams etc. ive tried each solution but nothing seemed to work, i did a patch test as recommended by my dermatologist, not to mention blood exams. but none of them proved benefecial until a friend gifted me with an AIR PURIFIER with ionizer. i left it ON 24/7, and it worked like a magic, so i bought 2 more of the same brand and put it in my office and the living room, eveywhere i go i feel i am guarded. Its been 7 months since then and it still works for me. quite expensive yes, but hey, its cheaper than all the drugs and hypoallergenic products ive tried. hope this helps

furniture station said...

mine was IMARFLEX HEPA FILTER, bought it at anson's appliance center, about 7k a unit. there are i think more professional brands, the ones used by restaurants and bars to absorb cigarrette and food smoke. i heard they are 40k each. its a must to change the filter inside every 3 months, when you take the used filters youd see all the dust that it trapped. that should have been on your lungs.

Angela Villa-Real said...

Try this one: http://newzealand.bissell.com/Main2.asp?Page_id=141&cookie_test=1

Luzimperial -Harvey said...

wawa naman si littlegirl,anyways I have that same problem as well. I have a very bad allergies over a lot of things that causes my Asthma, so my mum brought me to an allergiologist when I was kid, since then he monitored everything for me it's a long process at first, kase I have to go to the doctor 4 times a month for a couple of times and now I only have once a year allergy boaster injection. parang immunization ko to prevent allergy attact. but my doctor said that we need to get immuned sa mga bagay na allergic tayo.but for kids of course its not easy, super kawawa talaga. try consulting a pedia allergiologist. It will really help a lot than just a pediatricians. Break a leg sa iyong concert jan sa US. mwah! Take care and don't worry too much mumcy Lea.hehehehe

The Beach said...

mama lea you should buy the HOT STEAMING CLEANER (industrial use/hotels etc). it blows hot clean mist to kill all those allergens. they use it in hotels. they sell in the u.s.

Lea Salonga said...

Wow! Thanks for all your comments and PM's! I really appreciate it!

tin samson said...

i recently had nasty allergies to a medicine, and i stopped taking it. then a few days after, i'd get a bit of rashes that would appear and then disappear shortly after. my allergologist said the skin is like that sometimes, after a nasty attack, the skin becomes sensitive to any little thing, sometimes even water or the sun. so maybe that's what happened with nicole? sorry, i don't have any info on those services you need though. break a leg at your upcoming concerts! :)

Gemma Merced said...

No hives is always a good thing!

By the way, I just read this article in my local paper and I really wish I had known you were coming to town. Very last minute for me, but I am trying to score tickets for the family. Wish me luck!

Dinnah S. said...

Hi Lea,

My boys have severe allergies from dust and dust mites too (among other things!). Their allergist recommended these products for beddings and such. I found similar products at Macys Home Store such as pillow and matress covers.(http://www.allergyasthmatech.com/Category/Allergen_Free_Bedding/97_195)

Hope that helps. Say hi to your mom, Rob, Gerard and DJ for us.

Dinnah

bing ♥ said...

Bring home a Dyson. :)

Annette Acosta-Dickson said...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8729539&st=vacuum&type=product&id=1201307262405

The Dyson. Works on bare floors as well as carpet. A friend has one and I am green with envy. (I'm envious of home appliances? I must be getting old.)

Also http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8627934&st=dyson&type=product&id=1194050965187

Mia BellaMare said...

I broke out in hives my last semester in college, and we couldn't figure out what it was about at first. Maybe it's the a/c vent? the lotion/soap/sunblock? the covers/comforter?... it was a slippery slope to a complete freak-out, & even Red Bull became a suspect (it ended up being stress from all the final exam shindig). That's the worst part--- trying to find out what triggers the allergic reaction. Then, after that, I would get hives (not nearly as bad as the first time, thank heavens) whenever I'm stressed out... the skin just becomes prone to it after one exposure, apparently. That's another campaign Valium can use--- "breaking out in hives due to stress? ask your doctor for some Diazepam!" {Just joshing :) }

raul montesa said...

hi manang, hope little nicole is ok... i dont know of any rug/carpet cleaners as we dont have any in the house, anika has asthma so clet never bought one and we never used the ones i took home from germany... ingat!!!

Ana Perez said...

Another likely culprit is the airconditioning system. Make sure the filter is cleaned regularly and you may even want to add a supplementary filter just to make doubly sure. There is also an anti dust mite (and other allergens) spray available at local home centers (Ace hardware, True value or Handyman).

Allergies are so irritating (pun intended) talaga!

Guy Gustafson said...

After reading the article in the link, I hope & pray that the cause of poor little Nicole's outbreaks of hives has been pinpointed as either the dairy drink or rugs...or both. There are so many possibilities...sucking on her thumb may even be part of the problem. Best thing is to do what you are doing...eliminate one thing at a time and watch to see if the hives stop.

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/hives-urticaria-angioedema

Michelle S said...

manang, as an allergy sufferer myself, the air purifiers with hepa filter, hoover vacuum cleaner with hepa filtration system bag (I'm not a bagless fan as I want those suckers trapped in a sealed bag), and the hoover steamvac do great wonders! Sorry to hear about Nic's breakouts, hope she's doing well now.

Monette Co said...

As an asthmatic myself and with kids having allergies, too, I vacuum beds, pillows, and rugs with a Rainbow Vacuum cleaner once a week. Rainbow is a very powerful industrial-strength vacuum cleaner. The dust goes to a container at the bottom of the cleaner that contains water which means no dirt flies around or is released in the air. Dirt goes directly to the water container which you throw out after you're done. For her clothes, I suggest you use mild detergent like Ivory Snow. I also have a Honeywell air cleaner in my room

carmi brown said...

You're such a good mom. Better clean her toys too.

mrsvd * said...

Lea, check out this innovative product that kills 99% of germs, viruses and dust mites, take care:

http://www.verilux.com/uvc-allergy-relief/uvc-sanitizing-wand

sugar dizon said...

Wow, andaming magagaling buti na lang di nahihilo si Manang sa mga suggestions nyo. Mukhang mas magagaling pa sa mga doctors ni Nicole. hi-hi. Anyway, when it comes to the real cause of Baby Nic's Allergies, I'm sure Lea knows a lot of stuff than anybody here with his/her ten cents worth. Remember the old adage, "little learning is a dangerous thing" kaya kung wala kayung K o authority sa mga sinasabi nyo, just keep them to yoursleves na lang. LOL

faye juezan said...

Hello Lea! i hope with all these PMs and suggestions here, you get the right cleaning machine for youre little one..
I know this is totally out of the topic here but i just really wanted you to see this..did this in an art class months ago. i hope you like it! =)

faye juezan said...

Hello Lea! i hope with all these PMs and suggestions here, you get the right cleaning machine for your little one..

I know this is totally out of the topic here but i just thought it would be kind of cool to show you this. I did this in an art class months ago. i hope you like it! =)

faye juezan said...

Hello Lea! i hope with all these PMs and suggestions here, you get the right cleaning machine for your little one..

I know this is totally out of the topic here but i just thought it would be kind of cool to show you this. I did this in an art class months ago. i hope you like it! =)

faye juezan said...

Hello Lea! i hope with all these PMs and suggestions here, you get the right cleaning machine for your little one..

I know this is totally out of the topic here but i just thought it would be kind of cool to show you this. I did this in an art class months ago. i hope you like it! =)

Roma Verayo said...

hey! hi! my kids are super sensitive too and they have asthma, so dust mites are really a problem for us, my pedia suggested that i change pillows every six months, so i changed their pillows and mattress, i bought the hypoallergenic ones, and so far so good ;)

maria holzerland said...

Hello Lea,

Just read your blog regarding the problem of your daughter about her allergies. BTW, when I was in Manila (now in Germany) I also had difficulties fighting all these allergies and one thing that helped me was this RAINBOW cleaner which traps all the dirt from the carpets/floors ,,etc.
I used them to clean everthing you can think of around the house. Hope this helps.

nobe cantillas said...

wow you still have time to blog?? hi!

http://kooki.multiply.com/journal

Grace Ibay said...

hi Lea,
I have a science background on allergy and asthma, and it so happens to run in my family too. As to Nic's allergy, here are more suggestions to make her environment better - try hypoallergenic beddings and pillows, and wash the beddings in really hot water once a week. as to the floors, hardwood is much better than carpet since it's very easily cleaned. of course that might mean changing your whole flooring! eeks. there are also some really good machines in the market - Rainbow and Dyson are great for not just cleaning the carpet but acts as air purifiers as well (not trying to advertise them).
might be good to have Nic tested too, by an allergist to make sure it's not just dust mites, or environment but also food.
hope this helps! and take care..
Grace

innovaclean company said...

Hi Ms Lea, if you want, we do offer carpet vacuuming and shampooing. We could also give you a free trial. Just call us at 9866067 or send an SMS at 09086434332 or email me at ja@innova-clean.com :)

Cheryl Tan said...

Hello Ms. Lea, I've just read of this blog and most worried of your daughter. I'm not sure if you've found any good cleaning stuff for carpets yet but I've come to know the RAINBOW Vacuum Cleaner that best cleans using water. They clearly illustrates how dust mites develop since ordinary vacuums push dust down instead of up. But try to search on Rainbow Vacuums online. Hope you find them. If you have any questions on this you can write me back. Hope everythings doing okay. Take care!

Jose Salvatore said...

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Soft Cialis

Magdalena 2010 said...

Putting new carpet into home is expensive so it makes sense to take good care of it for years to come. Furthermore, complete carpet care maintains healthy living environment. Vacuuming alone not sufficient to keep your carpet clean. There are several different steps you need to take in order to maintain clean carpet.

dehumidifier

carpet cleaning said...

Nowadays people have tried on different methods of effectively cleaning carpets. One of the traditional ways to clean them is through foam cleaning. A shampoo is used here as a detergent. It is released from a brush that scrubs the carpet one area at a time. When the entire carpet has been scrubbed, it is left to dry for about two hours. When the carpet dries, it is then vacuumed to get rid off the dirt.

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