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It is difficult for MCS sufferers to have friends over or to visit other people. While you would like to see friends and family, you also have to watch out for your health. The reactions I’ve gotten from friends and family are quite mixed.
I have one friend who makes sure she hasn’t washed her hair the same day that we get together for lunch. My step-daughter went out of her way to make sure there were no fragranced products in use during our visit to her house. It helped a lot that her husband has a problem with fragrances as well. She didn’t have any fragranced laundry products.
Others can’t or won’t make an accommodation. I can live with that, as long as they are honest and upfront about it. That’s better than being surprised to learn that an overnight guest has used fragranced products that remain behind in carpet and bedding for weeks after the guest has gone.
Recently, I had a very pleasant experience. The sister of a good friend had us all to dinner while my friend was in town. She asked a bunch of questions about fragranced products and even what I could and could not eat. It made for a pleasant evening without a migraine. She had just bought her house and gave us “the tour”. I could smell the leavings from her plug in “air fresheners” in some rooms, but that was about it. It’s nice when people get it.
Will being fragrance free help if you have COPD, asthma or other respiratory problems?
Yes, it will. Even avoiding ‘natural fragrances’ or essential oils will help. Here’s why:
Anything ‘extra’ that is put into the air will be taken in each time you breathe. When you smell a fragrance, it is because you inhaled it. It’s the same as if you inhaled smoke or ashes. Or the coal dust that miners inhale. You breathe it in, it gets into your lungs and can clog your airways. If your system is already compromised, it will make it worse.
My husband says that I am the best thing to happen to his asthma. (Before me, he dated a woman who bathed in fragrances.) In the 14 years we’ve been together, his asthma has been well controlled. Why? Because I don’t allow fragrances into my home.
If you have COPD, asthma or another respiratory problem, I invite you to take the Fragrance Free Thirty Day Challenge. It could be the best thing to happen to your health issue too!
My Time: 4:26
Someday I would like to do an entire series of photos on this flower, from bud to full bloom. Here’s a fairly young bud.
Click on the image or here to go to the puzzle.
This week is a little different from my normal tips. I’m actually seeking information.
We need to replace the counter tops in our kitchen, badly. They currently are ceramic tile and are 25 or so years old. And the grout shows it. In looking around, we’ve looked at granite but have been told it needs to be resealed every year or so. So that’s out because I couldn’t handle the chemical fumes. So, does anyone have recommendations of reasonably priced counter tops that won’t be toxic?
We’re also looking at some aging carpet that needs to be replaced. In 1992, I bought a new house which, of course, had all new carpet. I was miserable for a month. And it is worse now. So, carpet is out. Actually, I like the look of wood floors, as long as the glue isn’t toxic.
Any suggestions?
I may have mentioned previously that I have not been successful in finding a “good” fragrance free deodorant. I’ve tried a couple by Kiss My Face. One didn’t work well at all for me, the other is “OK”.
KMF’s products are all natural and organic. I’ve seen them change their products in the past few years in an effort to be natural. For example, I once used their Active Enzyme Fragrance Free Stick Deodorant with great success. But then they took out the Parabens and the Propylene Glycol and it no longer worked for me.
My husband has used Old Spice for years. It has a fragrance, but it doesn’t last for long. Although who knows how long the VOCs remain in the house. I’ve noticed lately that the scent from his deodorant travels all the way downstairs soon after he uses it. He’s told me “If you find another deodorant, I’ll try it.”
So, I had this unopened KMF stick deodorant and thought “Why Not?” It didn’t work for me, but who can say it won’t work for someone else? So, he tried it yesterday and it worked very well. Clearly a body chemisty issue, perhaps it’s hormonal? Who knows?
Now all I need is a deodorant that really works for me… Any suggestions?
