Ghana To America: Health Issues

[Wallhut 34]

Has anyone ever had a loved one come from Ghana (or elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa) to America and experience chronic sinus symptoms? I had my husband tested for allergies and he was seen for possible asthma but we can't seem to find any satisfactory answer as to why he constantly suffers upper respiratory symptoms (sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion). We live in middle Tennessee which is terrible for many allergens and it sure looks like allergies, but again, he was tested and nothing much came up. He seem to be very averse to cold weather, and the smallest exposure sets him off also. Does he just need time to adjust to the American climate? Any ways to help are appreciated. He is on daily Flonase and takes Claritin D as needed.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

How long has he been in the US? My husband is from a tropical climate and has developed awful allergies- but he hasn't gone to an allergist yet. Here are some things you can have him try doing; wash his face/head when he comes in from outside to remove the pollen, try to change your clothes when you come inside too to limit the pollen, definitely don't lay down with the clothes you've been wearing outside, Flonase daily is good but I would suggest to take Claritin or Allegra religiously during allergy season- not as needed. Buy him LOCAL honey so he can possibly build up immunity to local pollen. If he does any type of yard work outside wear a mask and eye protection. Don't rub the eyes! Prescription eye drops have helped as well- both steroids and non steroid ones. After 5 years my husband got use to the cold (we are in New England) but that first year was brutal for him. 

[JeanneAdil 6,316]

Oh my god, yes/ also from an arid climate (Morocco)

 

Adil came in september and immediately had sinus issues  /  bad sinus headaches / also taking flonanse and going soon to an allergy clinic

 

We are also middle TN

if a person didn't have allgeries before moving here,  he / she will develope them here

 

that is why we have so many allergy clinics /  and you need to find one and take him

 

some of the things i did to try to help was:

got rid of funriture that was material and bought leather

took up the carpet and layed hardwood floors

bought air purifiyers for several rooms

try to dust everything a lot

bought several big leaf (no flowering) plants to cleanse air

i found cleaning products that said non alergenic

[JC&BS 75]

On 10/6/2020 at 9:41 AM, Wallhut said:

Has anyone ever had a loved one come from Ghana (or elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa) to America and experience chronic sinus symptoms? I had my husband tested for allergies and he was seen for possible asthma but we can't seem to find any satisfactory answer as to why he constantly suffers upper respiratory symptoms (sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion). We live in middle Tennessee which is terrible for many allergens and it sure looks like allergies, but again, he was tested and nothing much came up. He seem to be very averse to cold weather, and the smallest exposure sets him off also. Does he just need time to adjust to the American climate? Any ways to help are appreciated. He is on daily Flonase and takes Claritin D as needed.

It's interesting that you mention this as my spouse has a stuffy nose and some congestion for most of his time here in the US. I think he has a dust allergy because he did have the same in Ghana but it's amplified here... possibly because of this the weather, etc. We are in TN as well.

Edited October 10, 2021 by JC&BS