What do you do for environmental allergens? (medical and no-medical suggestions welcome)

[Wild Lupine]

My DD has allergies to many things: dust mites, all sorts of pollen, cats, dogs. She was put on singulair, which isn't really working. It's made her extremely constipated, she;s put on 3 pounds... and she's still needing her albuterol as much as before. 

I'm calling the allergist today, but would like to hear from others what they do so I know all the options. We air condition, steam clean the carpets, wash the bedding frequently, and stay off dairy. All our cleaning products are homemade (a vinegar, baking soda, borax mix.

Another doctor suggested an anithistimine, so we will add that to the mix to see what effect that has. Anything else? Thanks. 

[StephandOwen]

When ds's allergies get bad, we do nasonex twice daily and claritin once daily. Keeping the house clean, throwing stuffed animals in the dryer once weekly, etc. After he plays outside he comes in for an immediate shower to get the allergens off him. But what made the biggest difference- tearing out the carpet in his bedroom and putting in hardwood floors. I cannot believe the difference this has made over the last couple months. He's not on any meds right now and doing great! We also did wood floors in the babys room. Someday we'll do it in the master bedroom, then eventually in the dining room and living room so we can get rid of all carpet.

[Marnica]

We did BIOSET allergy elimination. It has worked wonders for my DS

[1love4ever]

Do you have an air purifier?   I would also eat all organic food as the pesticides and such on them can cause an inflammatory response, and GMO foods can contain genes from other foods/plants that may cause allergic reactions.

[sbgrace]

A HEPA unit made a world of difference for my son. He has one in his room and one in the main family room (play room). We also make sure pollen doesn't come in the house (no open windows, shower coming in from outside). If that's not possible at least make sure it stays out of the bedroom. Kids with allergies should shower right before bed and change into clean (bedroom/clean space only) clothes. The principle is don't take the allergens to bed. Hopefully the antihistamine will help. My son does Zyrtec, Singulair, and albuterol as needed. We still needed the environmental changes to avoid nasal or even inhaled steroids...we were on that march pre-HEPA and other changes.

[StephandOwen]

Originally Posted by sbgrace 

A HEPA unit made a world of difference for my son. He has one in his room and one in the main family room (play room).

I completely forgot about that. We have a HEPA filter unit in ds's room, in the baby's room and in the master bedroom. Then, of course, we change the big filters in the house (2 of them) every couple months and make sure to use the "allergen reduction" ones (even though they are slightly more expensive). Doors and windows stay shut here too.

[MAMom]

My DH has had luck with taking apple cider vinegar (orally) & using the neti pot for his environmental allergies, in addition to OTC allergy meds (the addition of the ACV a few weeks prior to allergy season helped noticeably).