How do I get rid of my allergies and what is causing them?

What in the world (or in my apartment) is causing my allergies?

• Did a allergy blood test and a prick test and they found nothing. I take many medications for schizophrenia, G.E.R.D. and tachycardia but the allergist said it was very unlikely any of them are causing my STUFFY NOSE, ITCHY THROAT, COUGH, ITCHY EYES HEADACHES AND ASTHMA and I agree because as soon as I step out my apartment (within 15 minutes) I feel better, can breath properly and have no problems with any of those symptoms. When I first moved into my apartment it was still airing out from the fresh paint, new carpet and other work that had been done on the apartment. I had to close the windows early before it had completely aired out because it was getting so cold. That was 3 years ago, though, and I'm having the allergies now worse than ever. Because of my various medical concerns it's difficult to keep my apartment clean but I get help once in a while (about once per week) and it's cleaned very well. I have to take allegra (not allegra-d), pantanase nasal spray and benadryl to make the allergies tolerable. I'm supposed to be self-administering a nebulizer twice a day or more but it's such a pain that I only do it about once every other day at best. Though when I do it it does make the allergies more tolerable, but that's all, just more tolerable. I'm also lactose intolerant, though I'm not sure to what extent. Sometimes I inadvertently consume dairy products, though rarely with any dairy sugar in them. I have mediCAID (not medicare) and apparently I should consider myself very lucky for the nebulizer, nasal spray and albuterol inhaler I receive and even luckier for the 4 and a half minutes of consultation I am rushed through with the allergist. My question, having gone through what may have been a lot of superfluousness, is: how can I find out what I'm allergic to? I don't care if I have to do it myself or have another professional do it. However, I only have about a $300 budget max, and even that will take me quite some time to save up for. Any help will be great! Thank you!

• Answer:

  From what I've read -- and I'm strictly a layman, no medical training -- you seem to be a classic example of a person whose body chemistry has gone flaky. Some people believe allergies, alcoholism and schizophrenia are all somehow related as they seem to be in my family. You might benefit from a HEPA unit for your bedroom. Check into your HVAC ducts and ask your landlord about regularly changing furnace filters. Some people find benefit in as natural a diet as possible; plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, no wheat, no soy. I feel better when I make my own fresh vegetable juices. I was fortunate in being able to get some nice fruit and vegetables from a church food bank from time to time. You have my utmost sympathy. Oh, neighbors of mine had a child who severely reacted to new carpeting, paint, etc. They went out and purchased green houseplants. Seems the houseplants somehow absorb the gases given off by various chemicals. The work done is your apt is three years old, so I don't know if the plants would still be of benefit. It seems they got philodendron and corn plants, among others. Best of luck to you.