Job Discussion Forums

[Lyrajean]

I've been having allergy problems.

to make a long story short. I developed acid reflux. It was determined by process of elimination by me that the claritin I take was the culprit. I quit the allergy meds and was okay till last week. Most of the docs here are not that familiar with claritin even though it is available by prescription. My hands started itching so I thought the tatami mat chiggers (dani) were to blame.

I used my usual remedy of wiping them down with hosan (boric acid), but the itching didn't go away, so I asked my co-workers for help and they suggested dani kira. I couldn't find that brand at the store so the clerk suggested daniasu. Anyway I used it friday and sunday and monday morning I woke up covered in hives like you wouldn't believe.

Went to a clinic where the doc was less than helpful and spoke no English (a co-worker went with me) He resisted telling me what medicine he was giving me until I told him why (can't take claritin or allegra -the Japanese docs favorite anti-histamine) He still refused to tell me. He gave me another medicine which aggravated my reflux and an injection which they couldn't tell me what it was.

Everything I can thigk of has been cleaned the floors and subfloor have been scrubbed. I've thrown out my matress cushions (bed sofa) all my bedding and the tatami mats have been banished to the balcony. I can't touch them; I get more hives. I tried to get my supervisor to come over he would gladly help me toss everything except the tatami. He resisted 'cause of the expense. I think they need to go and he left them on my balcony which I now can't enter.

I can't afford new ones but am afraid that new ones might be impregnated with the same chemicals as the dani asu. the subfloor however is not a good surface to keep exposed. Nasty nails, cracks that show the 30 years of dust underneath, etc... I got a 2000yen bamboo mat as a temporary cover.

The second doc I saw (who was much better and speaks some English)recommended moving apartments. I don't have 20man right now. And I have a cat. She's technically not allowed here but I think in a newer building with no tatami floors they'd be more picky about that. He gave me some cream that helps the itch and some different antihistamine pills which upset my reflux condition. Apparently I can't take anitihistamines.

I am still waking up with nasty hives all over my body every morning. I live in a 1DK, so I can't switch bedrooms.

Is there anything I can do that I am missing? Are there hypo allergenic types of tatami? Synthetic tatami? Alternatives? How much are new mats from scratch? My coworker who doesn't want me to chuck the mats thinks we should re-use the insides and recover them. I think that since the chemicals were sprayed on the inside, that's a waste of time as I obviously react to small amounts in the environment and the old mats will off-gas this stuff forever.

[Glenski]

The person on this link seems to have a similar problem and recommends fumigating ("bombing") twice.
http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthread.php?11415-tatami-allergy-advice-doctor

More advice.
http://www.japanistan.com/showthread.php?564-Tatami-Mites-the-unsung-terror-of-Japanese-Summer.

Perhaps discuss the situation with the landlord to replace the mats? They should be changed on a regular basis anyway, but I wouldn't be surprised if some landlords (especially those catering to us gaijins) ignore that.

[Lyrajean]

Thanks. I'll check the link when I get home (it's blocked at school).

The problem is not so much the dani it's that I have a severe allergic reaction to the chemicals that I used to treat for them. I can't touch the pesticide can or the mats I treated without breaking out in severe hives.

I might be allergic to the dani too, who knows. But even small amounts of the pesticides make me break out in hives. I have no interest in bombing twice.

The tatami was new when I moved in over 3 years ago. I'm dubious they want to buy me new ones.

[Glenski]

There are also premade carpets that you could put on top of the tatami. We bought one to cover a brand new tatami. You only have to know the dimensions, and look for a match at the store.

[genesis315]

It sounds like the black plauge struck your apartment. I recommend a light flame thrower treatment.