I haven’t that I know of. Never heard of it until now. Just reading up on the markers though it’s highly unlikely that this affecting me. My liver function has always been completely normal and once I stopped smoking 25 years ago I stopped having any lung issues other than the occasional chest cold. My allergies have always manifested as sinus issues, no asthma.

I hear you! It’s just me and the dog in this oversized house. I keep 3 rooms closed off and only vacuum them about once a month. Each day of the week is a different room to go through and clean. I won’t lie though, I’m usually a few days behind and once a month just take 8-10 hours and do a blitz. Staying on top of laundering the bedding is the real key for me.

I’ve had seasonal allergies my whole life but nothing like what started year round in 2018. I really started noticing when I got a new job which involved a lot of travel. I felt much better while traveling than when I was back home (not just at home, in the general area). My airplane would land and I could immediately tell the difference. Well, turns out SW Ohio is a nightmare for allergies according to my docs. I was 45 when this started getting real bad by the way.

From 2018-2020 I had multiple "sinus infections" and was constantly congested. My physician insisted I see an ear nose and throat MD as he believed I needed surgery. The ENT checked everything and told me I had no structural issues but had allergies. He gave me a shot of corticosteroids which solved all my problems for 3-6 months but insisted I see an allergist after it wore off.

I did. Diagnosed with significant dust mite and mold allergies. In addition to immunotherapy (allergy shots) my allergist recommended the following activities:

• Vacuum all carpets with a HEPA vac 2 x weekly
• replace down pillows with anti allergy pillows (Breathewell pillows at Target)
• Cover pillows and mattress with anti dust mite covers (I replaced my mattress also with a memory foam mattress in addition)
• Wash bedding every three days in HOT water
• vacuum and steam clean all fabric covered furniture and mattress monthly.
• Vacuum walls, baseboards and wash every six months.
• Change furnace filter monthly with a very high efficiency filter (check your HVAC can use these)

I did all those things in the weekend after my allergy test. Cleaned my house from top to bottom in a flurry of craziness. The difference it made (before starting allergy shots) was amazing. I still follow the schedule and with that and allergy shots my quality of life is significantly improved. I still have occasional flare ups but they are getting further and further apart as I continue with my allergy shots.