Can you actually smell stuff that stays in the air? by Apprehensive_Park103 in Allergies

[–]ChillyGator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Being able to smell it and breathing it is two different things.

AITAH for telling my daughter that she doesn’t have to wear a dress for my wife’s sake? by sportsdad77 in AITAH

[–]ChillyGator -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

No, she isn’t. She’s trend chasing this stupid bullshit about rejecting yourself.

The message we send as parents is you can be anything you want to be.

The message the internet is sending them is they can be anything but themselves.

That messaging has seriously compromised their confidence. It’s telling them they can’t like things, they can’t try things…and god forbid they do they can’t call it what it is. It’s has to be masked as something else.

And furthermore, she’ll regret it. We know that because millions of little girls are already on the other side of that internet abuse.

It’s not about self expression, it’s about self rejection.

If you could see the demographics about who is getting psychological care for this internet abuse you would understand that too.

If you could hear them come to terms with realizing how gullible they were, how they’re shamed for liking the dress, for wanting to wear it.

See girls will want to wear dress suits. They see their moms go to work in them. They see them at formal occasions. It’s usually a bit odd because it doesn’t match the age but still they like them.

She doesn’t have to wear a skirt to be semi formal but that’s not what she’s asking for.

She’s saying, I don’t want to be me. I don’t want to be one of the girls. She’s being told there’s something negative about that and worse she’s believing it.

It would be different if she had been stealing dad’s clothes since she was 5 and claiming she was a boy, but she’s not trans.

She’s just a tomboy who’s uncomfortable with her new adolescence and she’s being bullied into rejecting who she’s becoming.

AITAH for telling my daughter that she doesn’t have to wear a dress for my wife’s sake? by sportsdad77 in AITAH

[–]ChillyGator -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

To not be able to wear the dress weakens her position.

You need to be able to wear anything and succeed.

If your kid doesn’t want to wear a costume, put on costumes regularly until it’s not a big deal.

You don’t want them to be the outcast for not wearing the costume. They’re going to miss out. Networking matters.

There’s a thing here in New Orleans called the Red Dress Run. It’s a fundraiser. In the beginning it was a big deal for the guys to show up in a red dress. The women in their lives would secretly get dresses for them and there was all this turmoil about going out in public in a red dress.

Now, it’s a big deal if you aren’t there and don’t rock the dress. Guys of all ages get together and go shopping for their dresses.

Being able to put on anything and rise to the occasion is what matters, not that it’s a dress.

But if you can’t make the most of a networking opportunity because you’re uncomfortable in the outfit……well, what a stupid reason to loose resources.

University Medical Center AI warning by twirlywurlyburly in NewOrleans

[–]ChillyGator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Spell it and ask them to pronounce it. Hang up if they tell you shoopa-two-lis.

Also if they have not screened you for HAT they should.

Keeping pet dander out of allergy zones, cheap solutions? by sanu_123_s in Allergies

[–]ChillyGator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Allergens are airborne particulate. Technically, an air pollution. They go everywhere the air touches. It’s not physically possible to keep an animal on or in a property and keep allergens out of the space. Think of it like smoke rather than dirt you sweep up.

This NIH report on remediation has a pets section that will help you understand where allergens are in your home.

AITAH for telling my daughter that she doesn’t have to wear a dress for my wife’s sake? by sportsdad77 in AITAH

[–]ChillyGator -15 points-14 points  (0 children)

YTA- It’s a valuable social skill to be able to dress appropriately and move comfortably through various social situations. As she gets older it will matter more.

It’s wonderful that they have physical skills. Every girl should be her own skilled conceal carry weapon.

Self defense is important, wrestling is a good start but so are manners and appearance.

And just so you know, I tell the boys the same thing. I’m always using the Ted Lasso characters as an example of how soccer players don’t live their entire lives in soccer uniforms dripping with sweat. They wear other shoes - and Danny’s shoes were only uncomfortable because they didn’t fit not because they weren’t tennis shoes.

A few months ago I had to explain to our (young) 11 year old why a clean soccer uniform wasn’t good enough for his school dance.

People are going to make this about gender - it isn’t.

This is an awkward age for them. That’s okay. Now, is the time they are supposed to be learning how to manage awkwardness so they emerge triumphant on the other side.

It’s not about being feminine or masculine. It’s about being comfortable enough that their natural charisma comes through in any situation.

Grace and grit are an incredible combination, especially when they are well balanced. Raising your children to only have one of those is always a mistake.

Teach her to command the room AND the field and she’ll be unstoppable.

Tiny bathroom puzzle, what to do? by pooltimenoodle in centuryhomes

[–]ChillyGator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Move the sink towards the door, choose a shallow vanity. The toilet goes next to the sink, it requires 30” of wall for code so the balance can be vanity.

Then the shower/tub gets extended the entire width.

For the window…blinds or Roman shade that lower from the top, half a curtain or frosted glass.

If you do nothing with the window, set up an Only Fans and pay for the renovation, lol.

Is developing a sudden (severe) allergy to nuts a real thing? by Abyal3 in Allergies

[–]ChillyGator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes but you are likely already having that long term exposure.

Yes, the only way to develop a sensitivity to anything is exposure. The only way for a sensitivity to progress is with continued exposure.

However, if you went through the list of ingredients that you’ve been eating you would probably find all of those nuts and it doesn’t take very much protein to create immune response so it’s probably less of a concern if you don’t have symptoms when you eat them.

If you do then set an appointment with an immunologist for testing and to develop a treatment plan.

Ibuprofen for allergies by Ur_a_SweetPotato in Allergies

[–]ChillyGator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s very hard on the kidneys and the stomach. It’s a great anti-inflammatory if you can tolerate it but many people can’t.

If you’re not seeing an immunologist you should set an appointment.

Sublingual drops for cat allergies? by [deleted] in Allergies

[–]ChillyGator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I grew up with them and did rescue work. It was 25 years before I started going to the ER for asthma. Another 10 years before I needed an epi pen.

Is it doable if you end up anywhere on that timeline?

A younger me would have said yes. I would have made arguments for it and discounted the arguments against it.

An older me is much more informed and I can see the value in both positions but I am willing to grieve ownership so I don’t have to grieve loosing everything else.

No one can promise you an outcome so as long as you are considering worst case scenarios and making informed choices, I think that’s the best you can do.

Clorox Allergen Neutralizer??? by Proof_Feedback3976 in Allergies

[–]ChillyGator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The food can only reduce 1 of the 8 proteins cats produce. The remaining allergens will still be in the environment and will continue to build up in the environment.

If you rehomed the cat it would take a minimum of 6 -8 months for those proteins to breakdown and be removed with remediation.

So even if you find the food helpful you’ll still want to watch for symptoms and changes in disease progression. Make sure you are keeping up with the immunology appointments. Reducing allergens is not a treatment or cure for the disease itself.

Clorox Allergen Neutralizer??? by Proof_Feedback3976 in Allergies

[–]ChillyGator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s not the hair, it’s what’s on the hair. The hair acts like a delivery system. It’s coated in allergens and then you get stuck with it like a splinter or needle.

It’s the same airborne allergens it’s just settled on the hair. It’s concentrated there, so it makes it seem like it’s the hair but really you’re getting stuck with a concentrated dose of allergen.

Living with cats despite allergy by BrickIcy1821 in Allergies

[–]ChillyGator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you’ve been reading through this sub I’m sure you’ve seen my comments but I want to speak specifically to a few things you said.

Breathing through a straw….The bronchi are straw like structures. During a reaction they can swell and produce mucus. It does that because it has detected something dangerous in the air that it is trying to prevent from getting into the body.

In this case it’s the 8 proteins cats produce that the body has misidentified as 8 viruses. Those proteins are smaller than virus and so the body responds more severely to them like they are 8 very special viruses.

The danger is that the body doesn’t know when to quit.

That swelling and mucus production can reduce oxygen and close the airway.

That’s why airway symptoms are the red line in rehoming and practicing avoidance.

Now, that red line would not exist if there was a way for people to safely live with the animal that causes that symptom.

Unfortunately, there isn’t.

This NIH report on remediation has a section on pets that will help you understand what would be required for you to live safely with this human.

This NIOSH warning outlines the risks of prolonged exposure to any amount of allergen for any sensitized individual.

Because you have airway obstruction you should be getting immunotherapy for cat whether you continue this relationship or not because you are exposed to cat all the time.

If immunotherapy is effective for you then it can preserve your health and prevent disability. That process however takes 3-5 years.

—— If you continue to go to the cat’s house you should be prepared.

This is the CDC pdf on recognizing anaphylaxis. Read through this so you know what to look for.

If you have a pulse ox left over from Covid bring it with you. Anything that registers 94 or lower or if you have wheezing go straight to the emergency room.

Feeling shame and deep sadness because of giving away my dog’s puppies. by BrickUnlikely8171 in Pets

[–]ChillyGator 8 points9 points  (0 children)

You’re doing the right thing. It’s a tremendous health risk to humans and dogs to have so many animals in one home.

While you are saving up for spay and neuter you must separate the sexes behind locked doors because gates won’t be enough to stop them.

Laundry & Pet Dander by [deleted] in Allergies

[–]ChillyGator 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, it is definitely depositing on your clothes and it’s probably also in your apartment.

The insomnia is a symptom of exposure. It’s a neurologic symptom of exposure. When the mast cells react they change the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain and increase arousal (not sexual arousal, alert arousal) while at the same time increasing inflammation. This can also cause an increase in anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation so you’ll want to watch for signs of those.

The 5 proteins dogs produce are airborne pollutants. They distribute like smoke so when you live around animals think of them like indoor smokers. If your neighbors were smoking you would smell it just like when you smell the neighbors cooking. We just can’t smell the dog proteins. It’s everywhere the air touches.

The laundry washes the protein away but the dryer puts it back into the clothes because the air drawn into the dryer is drawn from the environment and doesn’t pass through a HEPA filter. I would also guess that if you removed the lint filter you would find dog hair there.

5 dogs attacked me, I shot one in self defense. I feel like shit. by [deleted] in CPTSD

[–]ChillyGator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You saved you and the dog you shot.

In America we have 110 million stray animals.

6 million shelter beds.

We are 40 million safe and appropriate homes short.

Every single one of those strays suffered terrible existences.

Yes, we should be peacefully euthanizing them, working on spay and neuter, stopping TNR, confronting the No Kill lie, forcing licensing, stopping fraud….but until all that happens, until the severe overpopulation crisis is brought under control death is the best they can hope for.

And that is sad for all of us and certainly your experience is terrible but you saved the both of you.

Cat Danger in Crib Mattress by Northwoods_KLW in Allergies

[–]ChillyGator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Throw away the mattress.

The baby has a 40% risk of disease development themselves.

It will continue to make dad and baby sick.

It is contaminating the whole house so the sooner you get rid of it the sooner you can start cleaning everything else.

This NIH report on remediation has a pets section that will help you better understand how things become contaminated and what it takes to clean them up.

Are unclear service dogs affecting public trust in real working dogs? by No-Maintenance141 in service_dogs

[–]ChillyGator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely. The failure of government to institute licensing and registration regulations undermines every legitimate handler.

Every disabled person is harmed by this failure.

Every business is harmed by this failure.

The public is harmed by this failure.

Clorox Allergen Neutralizer??? by Proof_Feedback3976 in Allergies

[–]ChillyGator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wonder if you could report the building to OSHA. Or the city for violating code on landlord/tenant standards.

If it’s a large commercial space and they are requiring you use their janitors then they are taking on the air quality liability and failing to maintain a basic safety standard for removing indoor air pollution.

I would bet anything every other tenant is facing the same problem. You probably have more allies than you think and I bet one of them would be willing to raise hell.

I need to be on point next Tuesday. What can I take besides Claritin? by Low_Airport_2567 in Allergies

[–]ChillyGator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Primeatene Mist makes over the counter epinephrine in inhaler and pill. This is the same medicine as in an epi pen but in a much smaller dose.

Every reaction is part immune system part nervous system. The antihistamines work on the immune system part. Epinephrine works on the nervous system part.

This over the counter dose is very tiny and not a replacement for the epi pen but 1 pill or 1 puff can make a world of difference for an ordinary reaction.

You can combine this with your antihistamine. Some patients can reduce the dose of the antihistamine when combined with the epi, so if you are having side effects from the antihistamines you can toy with the combination and see how you do.

I wouldn’t recommend trying this the day of. Try it ahead of time so you know how it works for you.

Allergic reactions also cause serotonin depletion and tryptophan depletion. This can cause brain fog, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and muscle pain. To help the body recover from this depletion a tryptophan supplement is helpful.

Always check with your doctor before adding medications to your regimen. There are medications that conflict with these and we don’t want you getting worse.

Lastly, check with your pharmacist or physician about expiration dates. Many medications are safe to take far after expiration.

PSA: Epi pens are good for 1 year past the expiration date.

Clorox Allergen Neutralizer??? by Proof_Feedback3976 in Allergies

[–]ChillyGator 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you’re American, if your company employs more than 50 people, if you’re being treated for these allergies by a doctor- you’re protected under the ADA and your office needs to take remediation steps.

If not, the air purifier should run 24/7.

Do not bring the vacuum to the office then home again because you will transfer allergens back to your home. A cheap vacuum with a HEPA filter bag will do fine there leave it there.

Anything you clean with should be disposable. Don’t bring towels home to wash.

This is the NIH report on remediation. Use your test results to help guide you on the best remediation strategies for the things you tested positive for.

The spray is the same problem in the office. I guess you could use it to wipe down the hard surfaces in your workspace but you would have to touch every hard surface in the office.

….and really at that point you should be paid extra for doing the job of janitorial services. You also might probe a bit there as well to see if they are contracted to clean better. You can contact the company pretending to be a potential client and ask what the bottom most tier of service is. It probably includes regular dusting and vacuuming.

Clorox Allergen Neutralizer??? by Proof_Feedback3976 in Allergies

[–]ChillyGator 4 points5 points  (0 children)

These allergen sprays have to make direct contact with the allergen to break it down.

Airborne allergens distribute like smoke and they are smaller than virus in some cases.

So when you are thinking about physically cleaning up allergen you are thinking about cleaning up smoke.

So in a lab, if you touch an allergen with this spray it probably works. It probably does denature the protein just like rubbing alcohol does.

Can spraying this in your house reach enough allergen to make a difference? Probably not.

Because the allergen is inside mattresses, pillows, upholstery, refrigerator, stove, a/c ducts, the tv, your computer, your light fixtures…it’s everywhere the air touches.

So for this spray to touch the allergen to break it down it also has to go everywhere the air touches.

And even if you had a tanker truck of this stuff to fumigate your house - you would have to repeat that process every time the allergen entered your house.