Greetings everyone.

This is my first posting to this group as my 10 year old son recently
was tested for allergies and found to be allergic to: ragweed, weeds,  
mold, pollen, dust mites and slightly to chicken and pork.  He had been
having symptoms for years, occasional itchy eyes, headaches, wintertime
nasal drip, etc.  We live in the northern midwest and his symptoms are  
mainly the worst in spring and winter.

His visit to the allergist was prompted by a severe reaction where his  
eyes became very red and irritable.  We learned he had been walking
through a field.

 The recommended treatment includes eye drops, nasal irrigation, possible
weekly shots and a complete sanitization of our house.  The steps they
recommend are quite involved including removing all stuffed animals from
his room, special pillow covers and bedding, removal of all shelf items  
and wall{*filter*}s, closing the air vent from the heating system, remove
the carpeting, special vacuum cleaner, etc.  I found it somewhat con-
venient that they had a catalog of all these specialty items right there
ready to order (including vacuum cleaner).

My questions are:

Given that most of his allergies are from seasonal airborne allergens,
how effective would it be to completely sanitize our house as they
suggest, also bearing in mind the nature and severity of his symptoms?  

How effective would the weekly allergy shots be?

He has been on vancanase (sp) nasal irrigation in the past and it seemed
to work.
We want our son to be as comfortable as possible, and are willing to do
whatever it takes.  However, my wife and I work long hours and have a  
three year old to take care of.  Getting our house set up as they recom-
mend would be very expensive and time consuming as well as time consuming
to maintain, if it can even be done.

Would appreciate hearing from anyone with experience in this stuation.
Thanks to all responses.

--
Tony Anello

I have suffered with extreme allergies for years. By extreme I mean that out
of 100 allergens tested I wasn't severely allergic to 2.

I believe taking moderate, low cost measures would be prudent.

1. Get an electrostatic air filter for your central heat and air unit.
2. Wash all of your child's bed linens, stuffed animals etc in hot water -
this is to kill the dust mites.
3. Be sure not to have any animals in the house.
4. Vancenase nasal spray as a preventative measure is good. Flonase is
probably better.
5. Consider having your son take anti-histamines daily. Seldane or hismanal.
6. Use non-allergic pillows. Cover the pillows and mattress with plastic
covers.
7. A room sized air filter may also help.
8. Shots may or may not work.