Do I need allergy testing?
August 12, 2022 7:07 PM Subscribe
I think I had an allergic reaction to the paint my contractor left here during a kitchen renovation. Is this a latex allergy?
Renovation is in week 4 and is 98% done. Kiddo (age 5) and I stayed with my parents during the messiest week and after that, moved home. It's been mostly cleaned up for about two weeks and we are just waiting for a few finishing touches.
I have been having pretty severe eczema symptoms from about when we moved home. I assumed at first it was seasonal allergy, then assumed it was from weeks of not so great nutrition as we lived on takeout and the hot foods counter at the grocery store.
The last week, I have been miserable. I've had a random rash on my inner wrist, around my mouth, and most distressingly, around my eyes, which constantly are watering, dripping into the cracks in my skin, stinging and burning. I saw my doctor and they said it seemed allergic in origin and gave me a cream. It hasn't improved it.
I finally clued in that it had to be about the renovation. I cleaned this place like it has never been cleaned before. And still, no improvement. Finally I opened my hall closet today and found three cans of paint sitting right there. I know they need them to do some touch-ups next week. On a whim, I put them in an airtight box out on my balcony. Within an hour, the burning in my eyes was gone.
As grateful as I am about at last finding the cause, I am worried about what this means. Do I have a latex allergy? Or was it something else? Did I do permanent damage to myself or my kid by having this around us? Should I follow up with my doctor about this?
Renovation is in week 4 and is 98% done. Kiddo (age 5) and I stayed with my parents during the messiest week and after that, moved home. It's been mostly cleaned up for about two weeks and we are just waiting for a few finishing touches.
I have been having pretty severe eczema symptoms from about when we moved home. I assumed at first it was seasonal allergy, then assumed it was from weeks of not so great nutrition as we lived on takeout and the hot foods counter at the grocery store.
The last week, I have been miserable. I've had a random rash on my inner wrist, around my mouth, and most distressingly, around my eyes, which constantly are watering, dripping into the cracks in my skin, stinging and burning. I saw my doctor and they said it seemed allergic in origin and gave me a cream. It hasn't improved it.
I finally clued in that it had to be about the renovation. I cleaned this place like it has never been cleaned before. And still, no improvement. Finally I opened my hall closet today and found three cans of paint sitting right there. I know they need them to do some touch-ups next week. On a whim, I put them in an airtight box out on my balcony. Within an hour, the burning in my eyes was gone.
As grateful as I am about at last finding the cause, I am worried about what this means. Do I have a latex allergy? Or was it something else? Did I do permanent damage to myself or my kid by having this around us? Should I follow up with my doctor about this?
Kilz paint which is used as an undercoat really bothers me.
posted by Oyéah at 7:47 PM on August 12, 2022
posted by Oyéah at 7:47 PM on August 12, 2022
One thing you can do: find some actual zero VOC paint, get a tiny sample size, and see whether you react to it.
You can also take a look at the offerings of Green Building Supply.
One thing they sell is a coating you can put on top of e.g. paint that's offgassing to block those VOCs.
If you do end up being extra sensitive to VOCs, check your reaction to your couch or anything else made from foam.
I think I've read somewhere that people can become more sensitive to VOCs by accumulated exposure, and that spending a long time without being exposed can reduce sensitivity.
posted by amtho at 8:15 PM on August 12, 2022
You can also take a look at the offerings of Green Building Supply.
One thing they sell is a coating you can put on top of e.g. paint that's offgassing to block those VOCs.
If you do end up being extra sensitive to VOCs, check your reaction to your couch or anything else made from foam.
I think I've read somewhere that people can become more sensitive to VOCs by accumulated exposure, and that spending a long time without being exposed can reduce sensitivity.
posted by amtho at 8:15 PM on August 12, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by oneirodynia at 7:35 PM on August 12, 2022