allergies and rugs

[Cassidy]

Hi,
One of our daughters has severe allergies and asthma. We are going to rip up all of our carpeting and put down hard wood floors. I'm sure we will want at least a few area rugs, but I need advice on what kind. Because I have heard so much about off-gassing from synthetic wall-to-wall carpeting, i had assumed that wool (or some other natural fiber) would be the way to go. Someone mentioned to me today, however, that since many natural fibers are themselves allergens, I should be looking at polyester and other synthetic blends. Any resources out there for this sort of thing?

[mybiz4jak]

I am so sorry to hear about your dd asthma. I read your post and it home. My son is 3 and was asthmatic at the age of one. We did the allergy test (blood) and found he was also allergic to dogs.
I did some research and found that household cleaners can be a triggering factor in asthma. I thought noooo. So I did some really heavy research and found that it was true. There is chemicals in our everyday products such things as formeldhyde, amonia, bleach, phosphates, etc.. Your not going to see that on the label they go by 30 different trade names. Formeldhyde going by a common name called Quairtuirm 15. Very ALARMING. I also found out that labeling law dont protect us the comsumer they product big business that have the money and lowyers.
Asthma has sky rocked 600% since 1980. no that is crazy. here is a really good site about the chemicals that we have in our home. www.checnet.org Also, your air in your home is 3 to 5 times more toxic them the out door air do to all the chemicals in the home.
I now use non toxic enviromently safe products. After 16 months of using these products my son is asthma free. I was truly blessed to find such a company that manufactor safer products that ehlped my family out.
I wish you good luck and feel free to email me.
Melissa
[e-mail]

[Cassidy]

Melissa,

Did/do you have a dog? If so, did you "relocate" the animal, or have your other changes solved the issue? Our dd is also allergic to dogs and cats as well as dust, mites, several common foods and "outdoors."

We have a cat that doesn't trigger obvious symptoms, but we have had problems coming home after being away. Obviously, hotels aren't equipped with mite-proof bedding or air cleaners, and since we usually spend a lot of time outside on vacation we figure it must be the cat triggering the "return" attacks. Once we replace the flooring, we will also clean the air ducts. We are hoping this will help with the dander, but figure that, ultimately, the cat will have to move.

It seems like such a no-brainer decision, if something makes your child sick, you get rid of it, right? But I have had the cat longer than I have been married, the kids love the cat and cry when we talk about giving her away, and our daughter doesn't show visible symptoms around the cat (we never would have guessed that she was allergic if we hadn't had the allergy test). Of course, any time my daughter has an attack I know I will wonder if it was worse because *I* couldn't get rid of the cat. I would love to hear from other people who have faced this decision.

[mybiz4jak]

Cissidy,
Yes, we had to get rid of the golden retriver but I needed to for the sak of my son.
I totally understand about your cat and not getting rid of her. If your dd is not really have the symptoms all the time I would think it would be okay to keep the cat. Just Jacob broke out in hives, cough and snezzed all the time with the dog so we really didnt have a choose in the matter.
I am personally allergic to dust and mites and I have elimitated that problem but spraying my bed down with solumel once a month. I no longer have to take my allergy meds.
I would say do a little changing to your inside enviroment buy elimitating the toxics in the home, that might help alot by just doing that.
Jacob is alos milk intolerent so I can realate to the food allergy. He has to drink rice milk (not bad)
You can presonaly email me @ [e-mail] or if you have yahoo or msn IM you can add me and I would love to chat with you. Sounds like we have something in common.
yahoo im: mybiz4jak
msn im: [e-mail]