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new upholstery

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Hello

I'm new on here but not to asthma. I've had it ages but so long as I keep away from what causes it ie cats, house dust mite, horses, birds, some washing up liquids, I'm OK.

A few months ago we bought a new 3 piece suite and now whenever I sit in the lounge I have to use an inhaler. I am OK in most of the other rooms of the house apart from our upstairs bedroom which has now also become somewhere that I have to use the inhaler. Even though I am allergic to dust mites I haven't taken the whole bed hoovering thing seriously for years and haven't suffered any wheezes there until the new suite arrived. The car has also become somewhere that I have to use the inhaler,

Recently I stayed at a relatives house for a week and found that I had to use the inhaler when sitting in their new conservatory which had new conservatory type u[holstered wicker furniture. Other rooms of the house were wheeze free,

So what's going on with the new upholstered furniture? I don't think they have had time to be infested by house dust mites, especially our new suite as I know that it came straight from the UK factory without any stain prevention treatment (so it's not that). So what are manufacturers putting in or on the upholstery and more to the point, will it wear off in time?

Could it be that some of the stuffing material in the upholstery is wool? I've never had a breathing problem around wool but then again I've never lived with it. I can't wear woolly jumpers or trousers with a wool content because they make my skin itch like mad, so I guess I'm allergic to wool. But do woollen fibres float around in rooms where the upholstery has wool in it? And can we be carrying the allergens to the bedroom and car?

Has anyone else experienced this problem or does anyone have any suggestions?

BTW the suite was very expensive so replacing it is our last option,

Thanks for taking the time to read my tale of woe.

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2 Replies

My guess is the material itself or the fireproofing treatment, which is mandatory for new furnature. Many synthetic materials can give of fumes when they're new and I've heard of new carpets/underlay causing problems for asthmatics so it doesn't seem to far a stretch to imagine that furniture could do the same. With carpets it does fade over time but I don't know what the timescale is, whether you're looking at months or years, all I can suggest is trying to give the offending rooms a good air out whenever possible to try to dilute any fumes.being released. I think wool is among the itchiest materials known to man and so unless it actually gives you a rash you aren't necessarily allergic to it, however whatever is causing the problem could potentially be transferred on clothing. I didn't want to read and run, just sorry I can't be of anymore help.

cici73 profile image
cici73

Hi I find now that furniture/carpet showrooms always set off my allergies (runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes & wheezing) especially the carpet sample sections. I know what you're describing and yes it is a thing, unfortunately ?

Through time hopefully whatever is setting off your asthma will dissipate, asthma is such a dreadful nuisance sometimes. Good luck.

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