Yorkies v Dust Mites
 

We have just had the second stage of replacing our 1 inch pile, 12 year old carpets replaced with laminate, Thurs & Fri this week. Amazing dust deposits behind furniture, under beds etc etc. - quite shameful really! Anyway big benefit. For years I've suffered from excess mucus (post nasal drip) and always related it to living 50 yards from sea and breathing in a lot of ozone, as on the rare occasions since work days, when I stay away, it clears rapidly. On the net I've now read that thick pile carpets house billions of dust mites that empirically establish colonies over the years. I think I had a continent here! The condition became so bad that in recent times I couldn't sleep without a nasal spray by the bed. Even on Thursday night following the completion of my room, I felt better. Last night and today my lungs have streamed continuously, my hearings better and I haven't woken up with sticky eyes for the first time in probably a decade.

Crystal has also suffered this condition, seemingly the 'dreaded 'Red Yeast Mite' condition' (see thumbnail), some days worse than others I bathe her peepers every day with both liquid and pads, but have never truly cleared the condition completely. I started her on Angel Eyes' tablets this Wednesday as a last resort. However as the old carpet was being cut up and bagged, both of us were reacting in the same way - tears streaming from our eyes, obviously aggravated by the forceful eviction of our exponential invaders.

I'm hopeful that my improvements will also be shared by her. It might be psychosomatic on my behalf, but she does seem better already and it can't be the Angel Eyes as it's not had a chance to 'kick in' yet.

Any one else had an occurrence of this type of scenario, if so how did it run?

Wow, what an amazing, hopeful change! I hope the new floors continue to prove to be super beneficial for you both, it'd be amazing. I think soooo many yorkies are sensitive to dust too, it goes along w/ so many yorkies having allergies.

Keep us posted on your progress!

I put hard wood floors in everywhere but the bedrooms and bathrooms. I think it is so much cleaner. I wish I could have afforded it in the bedrooms. When I removed the old carpet it was pretty gross.
I hope you both continue to see improvements in your health.

I am glad you are seeing improvements. I hope it continues! Carpet is dirty and definitely not good for allergies. I would never have carpet in a home ever again... We love our wood floors!

I need to get the carpets out of my house too. Daisy and I both have allergies. I have the nasal spray in my bedroom too. Thanks for posting this. My husband and I are talking about taking it out right now.

Thanks everyone:thumbup:,

We replaced the carpet in the first stage (late November) only in the Hallway and did the Kitchen to match, purely for easy clean purposes. The Bedrooms followed as my nasal condition improved so much. Today 4 days on from stage 2 (bedrooms), I'm feeling much better. Little Crystal's eyes are not 'tearing' and as 'Angels Eyes' tablet's take about 6 weeks to show results, it has to be down to the improved environment. Another benefit is how easy it is to slide furniture about making cleaning a much more approachable job to tackle.

I took a look at the mites under a really powerful microscope this morning, ugly little brutes and very much alive and kicking. Experts say homes with bare floors have up to 90 per cent less dust in them than homes with carpets, so it's a healthy option definitely. Tomorrow I'm going to get some spray and then wash all the curtains, cushions etc.

I'd have done it for our little girl anyway as she's worth every penny of the investment! At my age, if you've got the savings, I figure you may as well enjoy the material good these days, as saving sucks that's for sure!:)

I am very anti carpet!!

I have been carpet free for a few years now, and will never ever allow it in my house again. I love knowing that nothing can hide in the wood floors and my travertine, and it is so much easier to clean.

Congratulations on getting rid of carpet, and getting healthier.

Doc Martin, thank you for this thread! It helped me convince my husband that it was time to do away with the carpet in our dining room and living room, and WOW it's great! Our first floor is now carpet-free and we love it!!

I am glad you and crystal are doing better now without the rugs.

So glad your enjoying the difference too. I feel much better in myself. Crystal's eyes are perfect now (see pic - compared to the 1st post on this thread). I attribute this jointly to the carpet replacement and to 7 weeks on 'Angels Eyes' (powder) with her food. She now gets half the recommended dose with her brekky and her peepers are twinkling like little buttons. No red tears or stains in sight.:animal37

Thank you,

It also makes for easier cleaning too!:)

In our other home I used to blame having to dust every single day on the fact we lived on a gravel drive. That was until we removed the carpet and installed hardwood. My dusting went from every day to once a week. It is amazing how much dust is in carpets and gets stirred when walked upon. Our new home has carpet for now but that is all due to go in the next few months. Cannot wait.

I love being carpet free! It also helps to use dust mite protection mattress and pillow covers.

wow so glad it helped you both! sending wishes for continued improvement and good to know. :)