Is it our house?

[violet]

We seem to be the sickly family, always catching something. Maybe it just seems that way, but I wonder if it's something I'm doing wrong. My dd says her friends think it's because I clean too much, but they've got that wrong lol.

We were all healthier in a house we lived in for a year in another State, which was a bigger, newer place, but that could also have been because the plant life is different there. We all suffer from various allergies/hay fever/eczema, some of which are specific to the plants in this State.

Any thoughts??

[braided-rug]

We have been healthier since we left our hometown as well. I did have very clear thoughts on this. The vague ideas is it is possibly the cleaner air. Also our diet improved too. But I think you eat similar to what we have been eating. I know dh puts more garlic in the recipe that perhaps the recipe says. We also have very "natural" water, but not sure most people like that kind of water. Mountain air?

[braided-rug]

Our hometown was a milltown and has lots of factories. On the EPA or whatever site, I was horrified, it made it out to be worse than any place in your city.

Also I was exposed to alot of diesel, from the trains as well. I grew up around sprays from agriculture and born a bit early, so I like having clean air now. I have had a little asthma this week. Maybe it is a bad week.

Not sure if we have as many English trees here as you would have, there is a large one next door and some as street trees.

[violet]

I suspect it's allergy related, Br, possibly from particular plants. The boys both end up with asthma-like coughs after any cold and all of us but dd have hayfever. All but dh get migraines, so I suppose I'll have to take the genetic blame!

I do think you're right, it's the environment.

[lucie]

I'm sorry to hear your family is often sick. I hope you can you find some answers. ((hugs))

[cara]

Violet, please, if you don't have a carbon monoxide detector, get one immediately. You could have CM in your home. Also you may have mold or mildew which are allergens for alot of folks.

Please let me know.

[violet]

I don't think there would be mold or mildew, Cara - we had that problem in a previous house so this one has no plants near the walls, and I open windows every day to dry it out and freshen it up.

As for the carbon monoxide, well, that's entirely possible, especially as we have a gas stove and gas ducted heating. I've never heard of a CM detector, but will check around for one. Is it likely to be a problem though as this is a very airy, old house, with 10' ceilings and plenty of ventilation?

I know my Dad and Sister are both dust mite allergic so I try to be conscientious about dust issues, but maybe all the heavier bedding, ie blankets, quilts, should be washed again? They haven't been done since around March/April (it's winter now, so they're hard to get dry). The carpets haven't been cleaned for a couple of years either. Hm.

Good points, thanks Cara.

[braided-rug]

I'd get the building inspector to do one of those checks. You could have thin insulation in the ceiling or wet soil under the house. Things we have had at least twice each house.

[violet]

Both of those have been checked in the past year, Br. I used to be a walking case of tonsilitis, and dh had whooping cough when little and has had chest infections ever since, so I've tended to think it's crummy genetics! However I will find out about the carbon monoxide thing.

[braided-rug]

That is good to know. I was going to get a bag of insulation today and promptly forgot.

[violet]

Lol, Br, "promptly forgetting" is something I am very good at!

[braided-rug]

I tried again today but apparently the shop is closed. We want to test out if a bag can be stuffed through the hole in the ceiling.

DH is at work anyway, and somehow it looks like spring today, so any winter job opportunities are passing us by.