ChemSense

A Woman Tells her Story

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 05:21:58 GMT

A reader named Michelle writes:
hi
I have been reading this site and I know what your all going thru....I'd
like to share my story
2005 I was taking 3 antibiotics for 15 months for a lung problem...stopped
in march. I was in a construction situation for 3 months in a very old
building. I was always sweeping and cleaning.....I was in my pool(cloreen)
and my eyes started burning and then my face....I lived with ice packs on my
eyes and face for 4 months. I thought I was going to have a nervous break
down.my left eye had an infection in it 3 times, couldn't open it.I would
get chills up and down my back and up into my head.I also would get this
heat attack 4-5 times a day. (almost lived in a shower)(worse than hot
flashes) my left ear would start to hurt, then it would stop. I couldn't
touch it....then nothing
went to different drs. had brain mri, cat scans meds and to this day no one
knows what it is...I started to feel better but it still comes and goes.
one day I poured Windex on a paper towel and cleaned a window and 5 mins
later my eyes started to burn really bad. I was cleaning in a hair salon(my
daughters) with Windex and would notice later it would start burning....I
also found that ornamental grasses, fumes from nail polish and bleach and
color for hair...really bad...I have been researching this problem for over
a year and a half....I think it started with taking the 3 types of
antibiotics for so long. they killed my good bacteria and I mentioned this
to my infectious disease dr. and he said no. well, everything I bring up in
my research says to take probiotics when taking antibiotics because
antibiotics for a long time will weaken the imune system.i think this is
what happened to me, but no one will listen..... I have started to take the
probiotics and vitamin 6....every dr. said it could be something else, just
guessing...I'm going to have the patch test in Jan...I know I'm not bothered
by any food...I kept a diary....going to will's eye hospital in Jan to have
my eyes check out.....hope you find help.....I'm staying away from Windex
and any other household product. I use vinegar and water. I have never been
allergic to anything before in my life and I'm 70...it has been a hell of a
year and 1/2.

Skin Care Resources

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 21:18:58 GMT

Harmful Ingredients in Skin Care Products

Do It Yourself: Make Your Personalized Skin Care Products

Ask Annie on Skin Care

Blue Sage Naturals

Mindful of Links

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 21:13:21 GMT

Mindfully.org has multiple pages of useful links including health and environmental information.

Symptom Checker

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 02:01:23 GMT

About.com has an interesting new site called Symptom Checker. It's a tool to tell you what your symptoms might add up to and whether to see a doctor.

Mold inspections

Thu, 31 May 2007 02:06:23 GMT

Someone wrote to me saying that she has "chemical allergy, mold and dust allergies as well. I
am in search for someone who comes into peoples houses and can help
determine where the toxins (such as mold) are and how to remove them. Do you
know of anyone in the maryland area that does this?"

Response: If you search for "mold remediation maryland" you will see some companies. Also realtors and home inspectors can refer you to someone. You'll want to talk to several people and try to determine who uses the least-toxic method.

The first step is to control moisture by eliminating leaks and maintaining good air flow. Read HUD's page and links at www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr04-087.cfm.

Safe cleaning products

Sat, 26 May 2007 03:33:46 GMT

Mary writes:
" I feel for you. I have been chemically sensitive for years. You will find that everyone is different and reacts differently to products.

These are some products I use.

Sunlight sensitive skin laundry soap is fragrance free also No Name brand
carries a scent free one. No Name fabric softener - fragrance free
Nature Clean products if you can find who sells them close to you. cleaners,
shampoo
Simple Green cleaner. Gallon is vary affordable. use for every cleaning
needs.
Water, 1 ounce of vinegar and one drop of dishsoap in a spray bottle work
really well for glass
baking soda cleans sinks and tubs really well
Jergens hand soap is fragrance free and gentle on the skin
Also check your local health food store for products such as shampoos and
conditioners look for the scent free products.
look for the scent free products such as soap, dippety do hair gel, under
arm deodorant in your local grocery store
The best to you."

Unhealthy Car Smells

Mon, 21 May 2007 16:38:07 GMT

Jeanne writes: "I have had problems buying a used car. They must be using some newer foams, glues, etc. I am having problems with odors in even 2002 models. My husband thinks the odors are coming from the fabric in the seats. I can’t stand leather because of the dyes. Do you have any suggestions?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jeanne, I just read that Car Talk has a page on their website about car odors: http://cartalk.com/content/features/toxic/

Follow their link to the fascinating interview and then go to www.healthycar.org for more information. Good luck!

Tags: health, cars, odors

Dr. Ziem's Chemical Injury Website

Sun, 15 Oct 2006 02:36:47 GMT

Grace Ziem has a helpful website at http://www.chemicalinjury.net. If you want to know what nutrients can help the chemically sensitive, read one of the articles on the neural protocol.

Scent-free workplaces

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 00:36:10 GMT

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety posted an informative page at http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/scent_free.html on scent-free policies in the workplace.
They mention that "Allergic and asthmatic patients report that certain odours, even in the smallest amounts, can trigger an attack."

Laminate flooring

Sat, 23 Sep 2006 20:53:33 GMT

I got an email from Jana who asks: "I recently moved into a home where the previous owner had burned many highly scented candles whose fragrance now permeates the home. It's hard to tell what the worst source is, but I think it's the carpet, although I have it hi-temp steam cleaned twice since I moved I'm thinking about replacing my bedroom carpet with laminate flooring. I'm worried about offgassing, though, and I wondered what experiences other
people have had with that?
Do you find that new laminate flooring bothers you?
Are there better brands or types to use?
Are there any treatments for this condition?
Thanks.
_____________

Hi, Jana. Personally I am okay with laminate flooring but I am not as highly sensitive as some folks.
I can post your question but you may want to ask other people - http://groups.yahoo.com is one place to search for chemical sensitivity discussion lists.

I see that http://www.buildingforhealth.com/categories.php?cat=363 has flooring that is supposed to be safe. Also, www.needs.com has a sealer for carpet which might be worth trying before you go to the expense of replacing the carpet.

There are so many articles and books on treatment for chemical sensitivity that you may get frustrated, especially since treatment is controversial and recovery is usually slow. I recommend reading Pam Gibson's study at http://www.ehponline.org/members/2003/5936/5936.html Probably the most important actions to take are avoiding unnecessary toxins and getting good nutrition. And remember to relax and enjoy life as much as possible. Good luck!

Linda