Was responding to the smell sensitivity post, and realized I'm having another kind of challenge: I can't touch most fabrics.
Am wondering if others here are having this kind of challenge with clothing and where do you get your nonchemicalized clothing? I'm patching my old clothing constantly and it's wearing out!
I carry an icebag with me always, for knee pain, but also to use the ice to rinse off my hands constantly from touching fabrics. Also always carry unscented soap.
Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
Just a thought. Are you using unscented detergent? I know there are special ones out there for people with MCS. I hope someone who knows more about it will come along with some info for you.
I have a problem going into fabric stores from the sizing on the fabrics. That washes off though, and only bothers me in large amounts, so I'm OK at home.
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
Are you possible sensitive to formaldehyde? Many new fabrics are treated with formaldehyde. It is supposed to come off with washing.
Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
Me too Robin, about the fabrics and my jeans are getting past the point of patchable.
There are lots of fabrics I can't stand to touch. Freaks me out even thinking about it. I can only stand to wear cotton.
If I can get through the process (in and out of store without a migraine, etc...)of buying clothes and get them home... I usually wash them several times before I wear them.
Also, I once bought a pair of jeans that the smell wasn't coming out of. I soaked them in hot water in the sink with vinegar. (I opened the wiondows and left the batrooom.)
Anyway, the water turned bright yellow! Then I rinsed them and tossed them in the washer, alll the chemical smell and feeling was gone. I am sensitive to vinegar but this seemed to dissolve the treating on the jeans.
And please, god, don't let me touch or smell anything dryed with a dryer sheet. Ewwwwww!
Cave's right, I have a trip to the GoodWill Superstore in my near future. Ta, cave! Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
Here is a link to envir-friendly clothing companies. I bet many of these are chemical free
You could call any of the companies as ask about multiple chemical sensitivity and their products, if any chemicals or other treatments are used.
I have a formaldehyde sensitivity, but seem to be ok with new clothing. My doctor said my biggest problem is because my autonomic nervous system is malfunctioning, my body probably produces formaldehyde.
But, I can't buy used clothing. I last only about 2 minutes in any used clothing store because of molds and mildew that accumulates.
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
Cave,
You can't wear the mask every time you put on the moldy clothing you bought from the used store. Used clothing and used books can be very bad for people with mold sensitivity.
Posted by hurtingramma (Member # 7770) on :
This is a new problem for me. I can only wear cottons for any length of time. I have drawers full of wool sweaters that I can't wear - even with a layer underneath. And it gets COLD here!
I use Cetaphil all over my body and that seems to help with the itching and dryness, but not a cure-all. It was recommended by my SIL who had seen a dermatologist for similar problems.
Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
quote:Originally posted by cave76: Of course I looked "funny"--- but what the hey!
Send pictures!
(please excuse the hi-jack; couldn't resist)
Posted by susan2health (Member # 10446) on :
I have become extremely sensitive also.
Cave, where do you get NIOSH masks cheap?
Thrift store shoppers (me included): Bed bugs are on the rise, and very difficult to get rid of.
They hide during light hours in a seam in clothing or crack in furniture or decorations, etc.
Hard to detect unless severely infested--then can be brown/red spots or sweet smell. Google for more info.
A friend got them in her house 2 years ago and hasn't been able to get rid of them despite fumigating, spraying, and throwing stuff out.
Her health is noticibly worse. I don't know if from bugs, pesticides, or other.
She's bitten and itchy all the time. Some hardy people aren't allergic to them and don't know they have them.
I've read freezing clothing in an air tight bag in a nondefrost freezer for 2 weeks will kill eggs etc.
Posted by Kayda (Member # 10565) on :
I know exactly what you mean about the mold/mildew in Goodwill stores, & resales shops. I can't go in there at all anymore.
I also have a big problem with fabric & the new clothes which have been treated with formaldehyde. I was tested and am extremely sensitive to formaldehyde. I used to take drops of antigens to de-sensitize me. It worked temporarily, but I still have the problem.
I spoke with a fabric manufacturer to find out how to remove the formaldehyde. He said, "You can't." It's just got to wear away." The reason they use formaldehyde is to prevent bugs from infesting the fabric. Most of it is made overseas and shipped to the U.S.
I'm glad we're having this conversation. I've never met anyone before that understands this. And, look how many here have the same troubles!
Where do you get the NIOSH masks? I had to wear a mask on the plane when I flew to see my LLMD. Somebody sat in the row ahead of me with some stinking cologne. It nearly bowled me over. The mask & the air vent really helped to make a difference.
Kayda
Posted by achey (Member # 6284) on :
you can get a mask at your hardware store.
Regarding second hand stores, I can't go in then either, because of dust and mold and leftover scented laundry detergent, smoking body and perfume odors in used clothing.
For me the solutions is online ordering from catalog houses with good return polcies, and buying very little. I also shop Just a few outlet shops with my daughters at non peak times, and have found a few higher quallity brands I seem less sensitive to.
I have become much less sensitive with lyme treatment and have also done NAET treatment for allergies and senitivies, as well as a lot of nutritional support and IMT.
Things are getting better.
Still not where I want to be... still have to work very hard with reading and spelling, planning and thinking, but my skin doesn't crawl all the time any more and my eyes doen't run me out of every store I walk into
Posted by IsThereHope (Member # 6581) on :
It's not bed bugs, it's Morgellons, it's prolific and spreading everywhere. You're not allergic to frabric, they live in frabric, if you write to me via private email I can tell you how to make some changes that will give you huge improvements. Bed Bugs are not the cause.
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