@Twelfthman - My D has a dust mite allergy (as well as a bunch of others). Yes, a personal steamer, steamy showers, and old school “boiled water in the pot” treatments if she doesn’t have her steamer. She also stays really, really hydrated. Luckily, we live in an area that is pretty mild and she goes to school in an area with very high humidity (which causes its own problems). She has had to deal with extremely dry air when she did some shows in Montana, but where she stayed had a humidifier system- just not in her bedroom.
This is all really helpful! CoachC–I did read the article from the AAAAI and found it useful. I’m now thinking maybe a humidifier may not be the best bet for my dust-allergic D… though I appreciate the advice ctaylors6 gave about monitoring the humidity level. We’ll maybe look into the personal steamer idea, and I started looking at HEPA air filters to see if that might help with the indoor air quality. Her voice teacher has also told her to stay super hydrated and recommended Yogi Tea “throat comfort” tea for when she needs to sing but is feeling her throat isn’t at its best. We do live in New England, so our air tends to be dry all winter. Some of these ideas will hopefully help!
@toystorymom, my S has dust-mite allergies (and asthma) and we run a HEPA filter in his room year round. We also have a portable filter to use in hotel rooms. Until recently, we only used the humidifier in hotel rooms but when the weather got colder this week (meaning the heater is on more) and as auditions get closer, he’s started using it every night. We only use distilled water and so far, he hasn’t had any problems with increased congestion. He has a portable steamer to use at auditions as well. He also does daily sinus rinses and honestly, I think that has made the biggest difference for his allergies and congestion.