Northampton Wellness, Associates, LLC

BREATHE EASY: COPING WITH INDOOR
INHALANTS ALLERGIES AND TOXINS

Q: I have had problems with headaches, fatigue, sinus congestion, dizziness and tightness in the chest for quite some time. I’ve kept a diary, and now realize that these symptoms gradually go away when I visit friends or go to work. Could I be allergic to my own house?

A: The surprising answer is yes! There are many possible substances, called inhalants, which can cause symptoms like those you have mentioned. Fortunately, many of these can be removed from your environment, and you can treat yourself naturally to become free from symptoms when you are exposed to them. Sometimes, however, you may be reacting to a substance which is built into your house, and bigger changes might be desirable. In either case, it’s important to figure out what it is you’re reacting to.

Dust, Mites and Pets
It’s often easy to identify some allergens by just stopping for a moment, and looking around you when your problems develop or worsen. Dust allergies are often easy to recognize this way. For many folks even more of a problem than the dust itself are the microscopic excretions of tiny bugs, called mites (D. farinae and its cousins), which live in the dust. Every time you take a step, literally millions of these critters are cast into the air.

Some dust is inevitable. But we can minimize our exposure by wearing a mask while cleaning the house, and cleaning it regularly. Special cases may be placed around mattresses; overstuffed furniture, heavy rugs and drapes must be avoided by those who are sensitive. You might also want to consider whether you are sensitive to your pet cat or dog. Even if you are not allergic to the animal itself, you may be reacting to the dust and mites which it carries in its fur.

Even after putting the pet outside, you might continue to react to dander lying around the house for several weeks, or even months. None of us can completely avoid dust and mites. If your complaints persist, you can arrange for neutralization therapy for the suspected allergens. Neutralization therapy for dust, mites and pets is very safe, and usually results in immediate relief of symptoms. This method is very different from the old-fashioned “scratch” tests and desensitization shots. Intradermal skin testing is used to determine the treatment dose, and that dosage can be given in the form of liquid drops taken under the tongue (“sublingually”) at home. The effect is to “neutralize,” or balance out, your body’s antibody reaction, resulting in clearing of symptoms even if the drops are taken after exposure. Eventually your body will “forget” it has this sensitivity, and you can consider yourself cured of the allergy.

Molds
If there is some worsening of your symptoms around dampness, you must consider the likelihood of a mold allergy. These are tiny little fungi that love to inhabit moist basements, bathrooms, mudrooms, books, wet clothing, attics, old houses, fallen leaves, and leftover foods. They are especially prevalent on rainy days. Mold allergies are often hard to nail down because their effect can be delayed, from a few hours to several days after exposure. A wide range of symptoms can develop: from cough and congestion to fatigue and depression. An IgG RAST blood test is useful in making the diagnosis if the reaction is the delayed type (an IgE RAST test can confirm immediate sensitivities).

If you have a mold allergy, you’ll need to ensure that your house is as dry as possible. You may need a dehumidifier in certain areas. Clothing dryers should be vented to the outside. House plants and flowers might have to be removed, and shrubbery must be kept away from external walls. Work clothing from gardening and carpentry must be stored away from living areas. Forced hot air heating ducts are notorious breeding grounds for molds, and need to be cleaned out regularly or, better yet, avoided. Filters in heaters and air conditioners need to be frequently changed. Shower and tub areas should be thoroughly cleaned and ventilated.

Finally, a person sensitive to molds has to be very careful about eating leftovers and a variety of foods, such as aged cheese, vinegar and mushrooms.

Mold allergies usually respond quite well to neutralization therapy. This is fortunate since, like dust, molds can never be completely avoided.

With the advent of “tight” houses, which improve energy efficiency, has come the tendency for houses to trap noxious fumes within their walls. If you have such a house, an air-to-air heat exchanger may be helpful by providing fresh air without an appreciable loss of heat.

Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons comprise another group of inhalants that frequently cause problems. These include: gas fumes from car exhaust, stoves, or heaters: scented odors from polishes, soaps, and cosmetics, solvent odors from cleaning fluids, floor waxes, ink and dyes, and petroleum products, such as certain lotions, drugs and paints.

If you have a hydrocarbon sensitivity, you’ll want to avoid heavy traffic, and make sure your car’s exhaust system is intact. Electric heat and appliances may be necessary; in any case, furnaces need to be sealed off from the rest of the house, and gas stoves with pilot lights should be avoided. Improve your ventilation. Switching to unscented soaps and detergents may be helpful.

Hydrocarbon sensitivities also respond well to neutralization therapy. But there are other chemical reactions for which avoidance is the only reasonable solution. With these, we are not just concerned about acute reactions, but also long-term disease, such as cancer.

Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is almost everywhere these days. It’s in particleboard, plywood, walls, furniture, carpets, detergents, air deodorants, draperies, medications, cosmetics, paper products, paints, glues and resins. Exposure has been documented to cause many symptoms attributed to “allergies,” such as dizziness, chronic fatigue, nausea and respiratory problems.

Even more concerning, it has been implicated as a probable cause of cancer of the nose and throat. Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation is now illegal to install because of its ill effects. Interior grade plywood also has contained this particularly harmful form of formaldehyde and should be avoided if possible (exterior grade plywood and some newer interior grade plywoods are put together with phenol-formaldehyde glues; these are much less likely to cause problems).

If you are reacting to formaldehyde fixtures which cannot be removed, it may be helpful to seal in potential fumes with an epoxy or urethane sealant – but give these chemicals plenty of time to “outgas” as well, before you return to the area. Another helpful measure, if you don’t have mold allergies, is to have lots of philodendrons and spider plants around. NASA scientists have found that these plants have a remarkable ability to absorb excess formaldehyde from the air, but you would need a lot of them to be effective.

Asbestos
We all check our houses for the presence of asbestos, which can be found in wall and pipe insulation, fireproofing, soundproofing, vinyl flooring, joint compounds, and paints.

It is a potent cause of cancer of the lungs and stomach. If present, it should be carefully sealed off or removed by a firm which is certified and specialized in this field.

Radon
Radon is a natural radioactive gas released from uranium in the soil and water supply below-ground. It can enter your house through the water tap. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States (after cigarette smoking); the Environmental Protection Agency estimates it is present in toxic amounts in 10 percent of American homes.

It is not a common problem in the Pioneer Valley, but it can occur here. Pennsylvania and New Jersey have particularly widespread radon problems. To test your house for radon, you can leave a charcoal-filled canister in your basement for several days and then have it analyzed by a special laboratory, usually for less than $50.

Outdoors, radon does not seem to cause health problems. Inside your house, the gas can accumulate. If it is present in appreciable amounts, you can seal off your foundation and install a special type of ventilation system which can significantly reduce radon levels.

The home is a very special place, and it should be a safe haven from the stresses of our modern world. But sometimes the environment in our house (or in the office in which we work) can be harmful to our health.

For this reason, we need to carefully plan the construction of new buildings with health and safety in mind. However, if environmental hazards are identified, we can develop effective strategies for feeling better and protecting ourselves and our loved ones.