your opinions, please...

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 4:29 pm

Cynthia,

I was very sensitive to strong smells, and something like Febreeze would absolutely cause a huge mast cell reaction that someitme included D. There are lots of mast cells in our lungs so be careful with strong smells. I reacted to some perfumes and colognes, wood smoke, bleach, Scotch Guard, latex paint, jet fuel etc. Thankfully I am no longer reacting with smells.

Mary Beth

draperygoddess · Post by **draperygoddess** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 6:35 am

Mary Beth,

Boy, does that sound familiar! I have a violent reaction to wood smoke earlier this year that led to the worst sinus infection I've had since college. Saturday my husband asked me to fill up the gas can for the lawn mower, and by the time I got back from the gas station I could feel my throat swelling and I was nauseated, even though I left the windows open. I'm trying to be more careful!

draperygoddess · Post by **draperygoddess** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 6:39 am

Sheila,

Yup, that sounds like the bananas!

They have always given me gas, and have never set well, but this is the first time they actually caused other symptoms (assuming that's what I reacted to!). It is a puzzle! My fingers broke out again yesterday, and I can't figure out why. Hope you get some relief soon!

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:33 am

Cynthia,

Smells are the hardest to manage because you never know when it will happen and be out of your control, like being stuck in ana elevator with someone who took a bath on stinky cologne . Are you taking an H1 blocker, like zyrtec?

My mast cells have been behaving quite well since last fall and I feel like the storm has passed (bit I am still very cautious). There is hope that this type of mast cell problem is not systemic and that it will ease at some point.

Mary Beth

draperygoddess · Post by **draperygoddess** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:10 am

MB,

Haven't taken anything in the last few days, as it makes me sleepy, but I probably need to. Do you have a preference between Zyrtec or Benadryl?

JFR · Post by **JFR** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:43 am

mbeezie wrote:Cynthia,

Smells are the hardest to manage because you never know when it will happen and be out of your control, like being stuck in ana elevator with someone who took a bath on stinky cologne . Are you taking an H1 blocker, like zyrtec?

My mast cells have been behaving quite well since last fall and I feel like the storm has passed (bit I am still very cautious). There is hope that this type of mast cell problem is not systemic and that it will ease at some point.

Mary Beth

I am very sensitive to all kinds of smells myself. My idea of torture is to be stuck on an airplane with someone who has bathed in perfume. I never thought about how my sensitivity to all kinds of odors related to my digestive issues and skin issues until I started reading about it here.

Jean

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 10:04 am

I'm very sensitive to smells. Every time I enter a big box store like Target or a department store with lots of perfume, I have to make a run for the bathroom. Chemical smells give me D!!

draperygoddess · Post by **draperygoddess** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 10:14 am

Ugh--glad it's never been that bad for me! I do seem to be more sensitive than I used to be, but I don't think it's ever sent me running to the bathroom.