Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hochhasd]

The people that have alergies that make you feel tired ears blocked or some times popping , taking an over the counter alergy meds with an decongestant and nasal spray,still able to sleep. I have lived in a warm climate state in America with alergies like this,but sometimes it turns into an infection, to the point that I have to get antibiotics. Since I have been here which has been about 4 months I have had these alegies,but not that servere,until about a month and an half ago. I went to the doctor and was given the antibiotics and all cleared up. Well, now they are back again(servere algeries) I am sorry for the long drawn out explanation and I do not expect anyone to be my doctor,but I am wondering is it possible with the change of the climate(other peoples experiences) going from cold to warm ,then back to cold cause this to occur more often and to such an servere stage. Any feed back would be appreciated.

[bassexpander]

What allergies are you suffering from?

I have to take a Zyrtec brand medication (or a copy) for runny nose and coughing. On heavy days, I need just 1/2 pill per day. Otherwise, I've been getting by with 1/2 pill every 3 days or so. 1 full pill makes me sleep 14 hours per day.

Zyrtec is sold at pharmacies without a prescription. It goes under several names, and at various prices. They all work about the same. Allertec is one of the more expensive, at about 4,000 for 12 pills. There are cheaper ones for as low as 1,500 for the same thing. Depends on who makes them. Zyrtec has been an absolute godsend for me. Without it, I'm in hell during spring/fall.

Other allergies people have trouble with are skin allergies. Mainly in Seoul. It's not exactly clean here. I suffer from light excema, and unfortunately, have now picked up strep because of it! I'm on very heavy antibiotics for a week, followed by another round next week if this set doesn't work. Strep is dangerous because it's becoming resistant to many antibiotics.

What are your issues?

[nobbyken]

The sudden temperature change from outside to inside, or even the chilly dawn air can start me off.
Wearing a paper mask during sensitive times has allowed my nose to get stronger and less allergic. Haven't been a slave to meds for about a month or two now.

Notice when things start for you and even if there are foods which heighten sensitivity.

[peppermint]

I found the pollution there definitely aggravated any allergies I had, and it seems to be worse at certain points of the year- wait til yellow dust season hits!

It sounds odd, but cutting back on dairy helped me a lot.

[calicoe]

Yeah, the dust season definitely messes with my allergies. However, the bulk of my problems are food allergies. Most people don't like to hear this - especially allopathic doctors - but many of these conditions can be alleviated by watching your reactions to food.

My issues are certain dairy products (milk, butter, et al) and wheat. If I don't pay attention, these "issues" become full-blown medical threats, such as autoimmune conditions, heart palpatations, skin rash, bronchitis, pneumonia, migraines, blurred vision, foggy brain, aching joints, ravaged GI tract - the whole lot.

[Bailsibub]

I'm no expert, but I can tell you what I've had to do about allergy problems.

My allergy problems here have nothing to do with heat or cold. They come from mold. Given that the country is humid pretty much all year round and that mold grows in most apartments like there's no tomorrow, it makes the problem especially challenging.

I've learned to run my dehumidifier in my apt. all the time, and I'm seriously considering getting one for work (to go head to head with the humidifier the girl next to me uses). Whereas I'd have an allergic flare-up/infection every 3 or 4 months before, I've now gone 7 months and not had any problems.

[hochhasd]

[0ju]

i'm just curious... but... do you teach English?

BTW, the clogged ears and throat can be caused by sinus problems.

[bassexpander]

There are lots of dehumidifiers out there, but beware of the cheap ones (less than 150,000) that take out a tiny amount of water. If you want something worthwhile, you'll need something that takes out, at minimum, 10liters of water in a day:


http://www.enuri.com/move/Redirect.jsp?cmd=move_link&vcode=4027&modelno=60458&price=152540&multiflag=N&pl_no=243552884&factory=%B5%BF%B8%ED%C7%C3%B7%CE%BF%EC&modelnm=&escrow_url=/escrow/EsFrmOrderMain.jsp?cmd=move_link^frmshopcode=4027^frmshopnm=%BF%C1%BC%C7^frmmodelno=60458^frmmodelnm=^frmfactory=%B5%BF%B8%ED%C7%C3%B7%CE%BF%EC^frmmprice=152540^frmmultiflag=N^frmpl_no=243552884^frmpl_goodsnm=^deliveryinfo=&cate=05190802&urltype=0&coupon=0&porder=0&newgoods=&from=detail

and:




http://enuriap.gmarket.co.kr/move/Redirect.jsp?cmd=move_link&vcode=536&modelno=728368&price=168300&multiflag=N&pl_no=166003309&factory=%C4%DA%C6%DB%BD%BA%C6%AE&modelnm=&escrow_url=/escrow/EsFrmOrderMain.jsp?cmd=move_link^frmshopcode=536^frmshopnm=G%B8%B6%C4%CF^frmmodelno=728368^frmmodelnm=^frmfactory=%C4%DA%C6%DB%BD%BA%C6%AE^frmmprice=168300^frmmultiflag=N^frmpl_no=166003309^frmpl_goodsnm=^deliveryinfo=&cate=05190802&urltype=0&coupon=0&porder=0&newgoods=&from=detail&tempid=20091130125739576&memberid=

[Xuanzang]

The amount of dust here is ridiculous. It's almost like the walls are porous in my place. I get why the school is dusty because of the dirt fields and windows with a small, circular crack in the window frame.

[hochhasd]

[Bailsibub]

Hochhasd,

It's definitely a good idea to look for an allergist, albeit a competent one, while here.

I'd had chronic allergy/asthma problems for years and years. I even went to the doctor (HMO) back home in the states, gave blood samples, went through other tests, and had no luck finding out what was going on. I'm an athlete, so this problem had a lot of impact on my life.

Then I talked about it with my doctor here (he's very competent), and he suggested a food-allergy test, as that even checks for allergens beyond food, like mold, plants, etc. A couple days later, he showed me that I had a mid-level reaction to a couple common types of molds.

We made Singulair a mainstay...and Seritide, too. He suggested keeping the apartment as clean as possible. But that mold is nasty stuff. And yeah, I think a lot of it, you just can't see. I mean, in some buildings and rooms, I just start to react. I can't see the mold, but my reaction tells me it's definitely there. Then when I leave, I'm fine a little while later.

After looking into it more, people with the same allergies swear by dehumidifiers. I run mine 24-7. I also clean the apt. regularly, and it's working for me.

Dehumidifiers are affordable on gmarket. But if you have a standing AC in your house, look for a 제습기 (dehumidifier) setting. A lot of standing ACs come equipped with it these days, and it runs separately from the AC setting (so no electric bill worries).

Anyway, I strongly suggest getting to the bottom of why you are having allergic reactions while you are here. It's much more affordable to get tests, visits, meds, etc. here. But like I said, find a good doc.

[calicoe]

[bassexpander]

[bassexpander]