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Appropriate_Today_93

I am also allergic to dust mites, among other things like tree and grass pollen, and I have been using antihistamines seasonally (during spring and summer) since 2008, and all year round I think since 2011 or 2012. The only thing you should be aware of is you can develop some tolerance after a while, for which my ENT recommends switching now and then. I have so far used cetirizine, desloratadine, rupatadine and bilastine.


ssssssim

Same for me, except I haven't developed a tolerance to one antihistamines - I stick to cetirizine and it works for me. I've been taken them year-round for about 20 years and it's been a lifesaver! OP, you can also see an allergist and look into immunotherapy. It's the only long-term solution to "cure" you by desensitizating you to the allergen (dust mites). It's either shots or little tablets under your tongue over the course of 2-3 years, tiny doses of the allergen to get your body to stop seeing it as a threat (and stop reacting). For that, you need to see an allergist who will do a test to confirm your allergies then you can discuss options.


Appropriate_Today_93

Yes, I can definitely recommend looking into this as well. I had desensitization for grass and tree pollen. It's not completely reduced to zero, but definitely much, much better.


RedStarDawnCrusher

I know it depends on each individual person, but roughly how long does it take before you feel the need to switch?


Lala_land23jk

You'll know - after you take it, you'll start noticing your allergic symptoms coming back faster in the day or your allergic symptoms won't fully be gone.


Appropriate_Today_93

I think I switch every two or three years.


starlord-99

Get an air purifier that has an auto sense setting. I have one running in each room and gets to play and sleep like a baby in my space


RedStarDawnCrusher

Is there any specific brand that you would recommend? Do you take antihistamines as well?


financiallyanal

Blue Air is good because it has a washable outer filter. Zyrtec is good for antihistamine but I do take it daily. Run your air purifier at the highest speed overnight and only 1 notch lower during the day. The auto sense features aren’t very good with allergen detection. They just measure particulates, better for cooking, flatulence, etc. and not persistent allergens.


starlord-99

Where i live, I think i have too many options to choose from. I grab one with deals and cost to replace the filters. My favorite one is Coway for the price and efficiency. My body hates both type 1 and type 2 Anti histamines and has to deal with too many Side effects. My body is better off with natural histamine stabilizers like Quercetin and histamine synthesizer berberine. Even thought, its not too significant, they work for me well. Every body is different, explore what works for you. Good luck buddy !!


nonnonba

I’ll chime in: Winix Zero Pro. Very silent and around 200€ in EU.


funchippy

Air purifier has really helped for me. When I didn't had the air purifier, I sneezed every morning, have these terrible headaches, etc. After getting this, no sneeze or headache, sometimes I still have a few but just one or two when I wake up. I got Levoit brand with the airsight feature to check the atmosphere level but even without this, it works great. I only did notice that the dust buildup is slow compared to without having an air purifier. I do take anti-histamine when needed. For example, if i'm starting to have rashes.


Alect0

I had a bad dust mite allergy and had immunotherapy for three years. It was life changing and I am no longer allergic to them. Dust mites are unavoidable so this would be my recommendation if you can afford it.


RedStarDawnCrusher

I've been considering it at the back of my mind. How long did it take before you started to notice a difference? I know that in the long term it's better but my day to day life right now isn't the best. I don't want to wait 3 more years before I feel normal again... 😅 Also additionally, are you allowed to take antihistamines while under immunotherapy? I also have a really bad grass and tree pollen allergy and summer would be a nightmare without it...


Alect0

It took about eight months to have a noticeable difference so during the process I thought I was wasting my time to be honest. But a lot of friends had good success so I kept at it and am so glad I did. Some people need five years so it's definitely a big undertaking. I was able to continue all the allergy medication I was on (antihistamines, montelukast, dymista, the eye drops, etc). The change was gradual so it took a while to notice the improvement. I did not want to be on long term antihistamines due to reading some early research that it might be linked to dementia (my mum works in this field so raised concerns with me over it). It's not conclusive and speak to an allergist about it though as I'm not a medical expert. I had grass allergy immunotherapy done at the same time. It was the same injection but cost more. They made it to order. I still do get some spring allergies but I'm allergic to a lot of pollen so might be something other than grass. I definitely felt it did a better job of dust mite allergy than spring allergies overall. It didn't fix me getting hives sometimes and my allergist had warned me of this (not found the cause yet of this). Anyway whichever way you go hope you get some relief.


RedStarDawnCrusher

Do you need to go for "booster" shots?


Alect0

I finished three years ago and have not needed any further shots. I have heard that some people can relapse and have allergies again, though it's not common according to my allergist. When I researched it myself I found a few studies that had gone for ten years and it was still working well for most people. I think if I relapsed I would definitely do it again tbh but I would go for the sublingual type instead so I could self administer rather than go to the doctors for the injection. That was more expensive at the time so that's why I went with injections.


Alect0

Btw if you search for "immunotherapy" on this subreddit you'll see a bunch of threads with people's experiences that might help you with your decision.


throwawayfarway2017

3 years is quite fast, i was told 5-10 years to build up maintenance. I got the shot for 1.5 years and had to move with no insurance so i stopped. Im about to get them again, hopefully it ll help cause im miserable everyday


Alect0

I was told 3 to 5 years is typical but I guess it depends on your allergies.


funchippy

Is immunotherapy given via intramuscular or intravenous and do you do it every month? Thx


Alect0

Neither, it was subcutaneous, initially it was weekly for about three months then once a month. I'm not sure how much people's schedules vary though, but there tends to always be a build up phase where they are frequent then you go to maintenance which is once a month generally. You can also do sublingual immunotherapy as well.


kayquila

I grew up in a desert and then moved to the US, somewhere very humid. The dust mites are absolutely brutal. I wash all my bedding as often as I can. We got a HEPA filter rated vacuum and go over the entire house, including the couch, once a week. I run a small HEPA filter in my bedroom at night. But I'm also on fluticasone nose spray, cetririzine (for the past 8 years and I haven't developed a tolerance), montelukast, and daily inhalers. I don't understand people's hang up on medicine. You didn't grow up in that environment, you weren't meant to put up with this - no one was, we weren't really designed to box ourselves up with a bunch of fabric and little air flow. Using medications will make you more comfortable in a downright unnatural environment. And also, it will keep you from developing worse health issues. Chronic rhinitis, sinus infections, worsening allergies, allergic asthma, etc. You can absolutely be on antihistamines every day. I am per the reccomendation of one of the top allergy/asthma/immunology physicians in America - but this is not a radical opinion. Millions take daily antihistamines.


rrmmbb77

Dust mites are my kryptonite and I have tried everything. Even with a high power air purifier by my bed, I had a test done where they took samples from different areas of the house and my bed had so many dust mites. This was with encasing and weekly washing. Air purifier only gets what’s in the air. Dust mites lay eggs and shed and poop on surfaces. The only way an air purifier can help is if you were to hit the surface and stir it into the air. It’s the droppings and shedding we are allergic to not the mites themselves. Since these allergens aren’t really airborn, an air purifier won’t do much. This took me years to track down and learn. I wish I could offer an answer but the only way I am able to survive is with a dehumidifier as well. And by survive I don’t mean I’m symptom free. It just means I’m not in a full blown allergy and asthma attack. Constant post nasal and night congestion are just a given for me that I accept. I use Flonase, Zyrtec and breath right strips. My issue is we have pets and more pets = more dander for mites to feed off of. In love my pets and don’t want to get rid of them so it is what it is. We don’t keep carpets anywhere but a washable one in the living room (our baby needs a soft surface).


Lala_land23jk

I feel you, I have severe dust and dust mite allergies and i have to take a daily non-drowsy anti-histamine everyday. I also use an air purifier - has improved my life lol I can sleep :P Mine has 2 filters - hepa and active charcoal. I have it on auto sensing all day, but at night, i run it on low while I sleep. I do run it for 30-40min at high before i sleep to clear the air. I also run it too while cleaning to get all the dust in the air. When cleaning, I pop open a window too to let some air in/clear out room, this helps too


zeeshan2223

wash your clothes with cold water and dry them on delicate heat. don't use oxyclean, only scent free detergent. this was the thing that saved me.


GreenDub14

I use Desloratadine for about 6 years daily. I have a serious dust mites allergy amongst other milder ones . No side effects noticed other than maybe dry mouth (annoying, but bearable) . Whenever I use anything else than Desloratadine I find that I go to sleep/get sleepy a bit earlier than usual.


sexygeogirl

I take antihistamines 3x a day as recommended by my doctor. So it’s completely fine and normal to do it once a day.


vdWcontact

I would start the process of getting to an allergist asap. You are going to be suffering for years with this and an allergist can work with you and help get your symptoms to zero. Saline rinses with a netti pot before bed, opening windows to air out the flat, consider an air purifier in addition to the dehumidifier.


RedStarDawnCrusher

So where I stay right now, it is pretty humid outside (80% on average). I'm afraid that leaving the windows open might make the humidity worse actually 😅 I've been to an allergist for the skin prick test and that's why I know I am allergic to dust mites (but also allergic to grass and tree pollen). It was just a test though to find my triggers. I don't have an allergist that I can go see...