NTLegend...ultrasonic fogger/mister versus humidifiers?

[milivica]

A question for NTLegend or anyone that knows...what's the difference between an ultrasonic fogger/mister versus a cold or hot air humidifier? I'm thinking the fogger/mister is better health benefit wise, due to that ion thing, and less of a pain to upkeep since it won't clog as constantly as a (hot) humidifier.

Turns out Vince has asthma. I remember recently seeing the post that Kyle had asthma, and didn't realize till that post, it's something you can get later in life. So, I'm trying to learn about it. I'm so far guessing the cold weather for some reason this year, brought on Vincent's asthma. He seemed to be getting a cold about 3 months ago which in less than a day progressed to him not feeling able to breathe, I took him to the doc who wound up prescribing prednisone and an inhaler. I thought after the 'cold' that would be it, but the bronchile congestion never went completely away...activity (and he is always active) or even laughing hard brought on wheezing and coughing. The albuteral inhaler doesn't help much at all. As I'm trying to learn about asthma, there seems to be two causes...inflamation of the lining and the little bronchiles closing off, is this correct?

I've just taken the rats out of his room, he has no carpeting, a latex mattress and pillow. I've put a cold air humidifier in his room which hasn't seemed to do squat. The hot humidifier clogs before the night even ends - suppose I could buy distilled water, but want to know if an ultrasonic type humidifier would be a good choice instead - also - I hear about this ion thing with the mister, what's that about? Last, can I just get some table-top type of mister, like what do I need for a bedroom? In addition to humidifying and purifying his air in his bedroom, a definite plus would be to make his room reptile friendly - he currently has a mountain horned dragon living in one of his plants, they don't move much so it doesn't need a cage or a heat bulb, has no dander so I'm thinking how 'tropical' can I make his room within reason.

School has been out, so I haven't done near the studying on this topic as I intend to.

[Kristen (ColeysMom)]

Hi Mili,

I had this same question when Coley was little & getting sick constantly.

I wanted to know which was more effective because I couldn't give him any meds and needed to help him sleep more comfortably at night time so that his own body could have a better fighting chance before things spiraled out of control...it was like every little bug spun out of control...

Anyway, I wondered about the humidifier (hot?) versus a vaporizor (cold?) versus the waterless.

I can't remember which is which at this point, but what I was told then by his ped is that they didn't recommend any...reason is that the water and worse the filter could harbor bacterias that when spread through the air and breathed in for exteded periods could actually make things worse...

I then asked about the waterless and was told that they just didn't have enough data or whatever to make any comments on them...

Their recommendation was a steamy bathroom and an elevated head/sholders during rest.

Have you looked into Asthma support groups? I'm sure support for asthma, after dealing with everything else probably seems silly...but I bet moms would have some pretty good tips...

I don't know if this helps at all...but it's all I got for ya...hope it adds something...

KJ

[TygerSan]

I've just taken the rats out of his room, he has no carpeting, a latex mattress and pillow.

I know I don't post much here at all, but this leapt out at me. Rats make wonderful pets, but they are the *worst* for sensitizing allergies (allergies that get worse with time). Prepubescent male rats are the absolute worst for allergens.

Do his hands swell up after he plays with them? What about when he gets scratched by them?

The really sad thing is is that ppl after many years of heavy exposure (much more common among those who work in lab/research settings) can develop anaphalaxis to rat bites, so I'd watch him carefully to make sure it's not getting any worse.

[milivica]

Kristen, I wondered about the bacteria potential too for humidifiers. That's what made me wonder about a fogger, seems like it works by vibration...I really don't understand it though.

Tygersan, wow I didn't know about the things you said. We've had rats for years and years, 2 is actually the fewest we've ever had, I believe the most we had was 15 (we got one that had babies the very next day). These are the first male rats that are NOT fixed however, dunno of that could change the allergy factor at all but I have heard things about people being allergic to the protein in rat urine. Well anyhow, after so many rats for so many years and no problems, I didn't realize I might have anything to worry about.

Seems like I badly need to educate myself on both asthma and allergies. I have been told both often go hand in hand, not sure if that's true but was told that by someone with asthma so she ought to know. Ugh, reminds me of all the trying to understand food allergies back when Vince was younger...IgE and all that other stuff I can't remember anymore and honestly never understood the 'why' anyhow...why does the body act like certain things are an invader and not others, why for some people and not all people, etc... Ugh, no fun. Never was good at getting that kind of thing - I sure am fortunate to be in the day and age of the internet!

[Kristen (ColeysMom)]

Mili, my sister had/has bad eczema, my best friend bad asthma...

When we were younger all they could do is use things to sooth it...cream/vit E & an inhaler...

When Coley was little and struggling with his food issues the docs first comments to me where about the incidence of allergies and Coley's symptoms, whether there were any that went beyond GI, skin (ie eczema) and resparatory (asthma)...

These days neither are considered as a 'condition' but rather a symptom or a reaction to an allergen.

Turns out my sister had an allergy to milk, and my friend to smoke and animal dander...but that wasn't figured out until well into both of their adulthoods, and on their own too...well before Coley's birth.

Neither was surpised when I told them what the doc told me...but it was a LONG way from what their docs had told them about managing it....

[NTLegend]

Hi Mili, I only just saw your question.

About humidifier vs. fogger, I have a different suggestion. I have seen (and would like to get for myself, actually, but haven't done it yet) reports about the use of a nebulizer -- using glutathione (GSH). The GSH is inserted where usually there is some kind of prescription medication. The nebulizer creates a very fine mist, or spray. Probably a lot like being in the bathroom full of hot steam? (And folks pay these doctors . . . how much(?) . . . to prescribe nebulizers?)

However, about the more basic question of allergies, I have a different opinion than -- well, probaby different than everyone else. So send me an e-mail, if you still have that, and I'll give you my opinion.

For what it's worth, I did convince a 40-year-old woman with allergies to take something that I suggested. As far as I know, she did take it and as far as I know, her allergies are much better. I used to hear her talk about being allergic to this, that and the other. Now I don't hear that. Of course, I haven't remembered to ask outright; and that's because I haven't heard anything from her about 'allergies' for a while.

Actually, I have two suggestions. And one of them is to consider zinc. Whether someone might need more zinc could depend on a lot of things. Do they eat meat? (How much?) Do they eat sweets? (How much?) In adults, the additional question would be, do they drink? Etc. . .

In someone who *does* need more zinc, it can make quite a difference. And remember, never take vitamins or minerals -- zinc being a mineral -- on an empty stomach. Minerals, especially, need some fat in the stomach to carry them across membranes, to be digested.

Send me a note . . .

[milivica]

And remember, never take vitamins or minerals -- zinc being a mineral -- on an empty stomach. Minerals, especially, need some fat in the stomach to carry them across membranes, to be digested.

Send me a note . . .

Well in that case, I could certainly take zinc at any given time - oh sorry you said fat IN my stomach, not ON my stomach. LOL.

I'll pm you,
Lisa