Africa to America: Adjusting to the Climate

[Wallhut 34]

Greetings!

 

My Ghanaian husband first arrived in the U.S. in June, 2018. He returned to Ghana in February of this year, then came back to America in July. We live in Tennessee, which is known for many different kind of allergy-causing plants. He has been allergy tested, and amazingly no real serious allergic reactions were found. His whole time here is marked by endless sneezing and stuffiness. We try allergy medicine, prescription allergy medicine, I put a very nice HEPA filter in our bedroom; everything I can think of, but nothing seems to stop it. He seems to be most reactive to cold. This makes some sense as it is never cold in Ghana. Has anyone else had an experience of a spouse coming from Subsaharan Africa to the U.S. and having unending sinus issues? Did you find any resolution?

 

Thank you!

[databit 328]

Not exactly an answer, but since he is vulnerable for respiratory illness, recommend he (and you?) get the following:

 

1) Annual flu vaccine (available now)

2) Pneumonia vaccine PPSV23 (lasts for decades or maybe for life)

or

3) Pneumonia vaccine PCV13 (same)

[Ontarkie 14,219]

I'm actually allergic to the cold and I come from Canada so Arkansas cold still gets to me even though I'm used to much colder. 

Unlike your husband I am allergic to everything here. His sinuses will get better, it just takes time as it's all new. Get some elderberry and vitamin c to help his immune system. 

[Wallhut 34]

Thank you very much. He just recently had his flu vaccine for this year. I will surely get some Elderberry and Vitamin C. I am hoping his sinuses will adjust sometime soon. I'm tired of sweating in my sleep because we have to keep the room so warm. LOL It's fine if it keeps him from having sneezing fits. It breaks my heart to see him suffer the way he does.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

My husband is from Haiti (hot humid climate) and he has developed terrible allergies here in the spring even resulting in emergency eye doctor visits. Haven’t gone to an allergist yet but we definitely should. Over the counter meds barely help as well as prescription eye drops. He never had these problems in his home country 

 

i should add this is the best combo so far- Benadryl every night and 24 hr Allegra every morning. He has prescription eye drops -ones a steroid 4x a day and another prescription 2x day. ..still not complete relief though. Have him take a shower before he goes to bed and to wash his face/head/arms after going outside. Also he should change his clothes before going in the bedroom. Try to keep the pollen out. 

Edited October 15, 2019 by Luckycuds

[ProudlyConfused 24]

I grew up in South Africa and lived in the middle east for a decade, now living in Michigan during the winter I have been diagnosed with a cold-air-allergy.

 

Towards the end of fall I start getting this terrible cough that stays and gets worse all winter; basically coughing so bad that I have broken ribs.

 

As soon as fall starts my doctors (pulmonologist and ENT) have me start COPD medication and a heavy does of steroids and that seems to help, the steroids help keep the swelling of the throat down from all the coughing.

[Wallhut 34]

Wow, first of all please let me say how sorry I am that you suffer so with your respiratory ailment. I believe my husband had a cold-air allergy as well. While I understand there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, I do now see his issues are not unusual. Thanks so much for your response.

[ShayShayyy 44]

Aww i hope you find something that helps.. this is my worry bringing my fiancé from Benin, West Africa to ND, one of the coldest states in the US... 

[Wallhut 34]

Thank you for your kind words, and I wish you all the best. Let me add that you best be prepared for all you will be facing when brining someone from everything they've ever known to a totally new environment with you. They will be bored, they will miss home, they may have medical ailments like my husband. You will need all the patience and strength you have to get through the challenging start to things. Just take care of yourself and be patient and loving and you will make it.