Take special care when things are new. Air or wash whatever you can. If you air things off or wash them before you use them, you may have no problem at all. If you buy new furniture or furnishings – such as curtains, beds, cushions or rugs – always leave them in a spare room, or get the supplier to air them for you before delivery. Even if they are of materials that you can tolerate reasonably, airing will help. Let new shoes or bags air before using them to get rid of fumes. Wash new clothes before wearing, especially if they are pure cotton, polycotton or viscose, as they may have fabric finishes.
Air a newspaper, magazine or book before reading it. Keep newspapers and magazines in a drawer when not in use; their fumes can be very bothersome. Use an old plastic bag rather than a new one. Put new paper, stationery or sticky tape into a drawer or box to air before you use it. Air a new plastic appliance – a radio or audio equipment -before you bring it into the living-room for constant use. Air and wash new toys before use.
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Stabilisers and sealants are used to stabilise the surface of flaking or crumbly walls or plasterwork. Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) without fungicide is relatively problem-free. You can use Polycell Super Bond or Evobond Building Adhesive as a stabiliser and sealant; these are available in DIY stores. You can also use Cuprinol Stabilising Solution, a water-based acrylic solution without fungicide, available to order through the trade or DIY shops.
Paving
Stone slabs, bricks, concrete and gravel used for paving will not cause sensitivity. Take care with tar or asphalt paths and drives; the asphalt can give off persistent fumes, especially in hot weather, and is best avoided if possible.
Putty
Putty is made either of linseed oil and chalk, or of acrylics. Use the linseed oil version for preference. It can irritate the skin, and gives off mild fumes at first but is unlikely to cause reactions over time. Vapours from linseed oil evaporate fast and putty is usually problem-free. Brands of linseed oil and chalk putty include B & Q, available from their stores, and Vallance, from DIY stores. Livos sell a linseed putty by post.
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There is much that a parent can do in the first two to three years of a child’s life to help prevent allergic disease or sensitivity developing later in life, or to minimise its effects. Care taken in early childhood can improve your child’s chance of not developing sensitivity, and help his or her resilience if they once become sensitised to something.
Statistically, a child with one or both parents with a history of sensitivity or allergy is much more likely to develop the tendency – called ‘atopy’. Babies can be born with allergies and intolerance; they can be sensitised already in the womb, particularly to foods. Preconceptual care and care in pregnancy can sometimes prevent or minimise this and are worth finding out about if you have the opportunity.
There are things you can do to your environment by way of preparation in advance of the birth; and precautions you can take with toiletries, nappies, clothes, soap powder or any equipment you use for the baby which can minimise the load of substances that potentially cause trouble.
There are also ways of feeding and weaning babies that give them the best possible chance of not developing food sensitivity. It can be hard work sometimes, but it is much less hard (and much less distressing) than the work involved in caring for a baby or child with severe eczema, asthma, colic or other symptoms. If there is a history of food sensitivity in either parent, or in an older brother or sister of the baby, special care taken when feeding and weaning is valuable, especially in the first two years of a baby’s life when you have much more control, and you can establish eating patterns for the future.
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Beds, bedding and bedtime toys are also prime triggers for house dust mite reactions. Humans lose on average half a litre Oust under a pint) of fluid overnight, so beds are invariably damp, unless thoroughly dried and aired. Not only do house dust mites love the damp, warm dark of mattresses, pillows, blankets or duvets, with their abundance of human skin scales, but they thrive in other places such as teddies, soft toys, padded headboards and bed-bases.
A damp environment encourages house dust mites. Living close to damp areas significantly increases mite populations: it has been shown that even living over an underground water course can correlate with increased incidence of house dust mite allergy. Rising or penetrating damp in the structure, using humidifiers, drying laundry indoors, having a lot of house plants, using heating such as gas fires or paraffin stoves which create water on burning, can all contribute to an increased population of house dust mites.
Poor ventilation, or failing to ventilate also contributes. Fixed windows, or keeping double glazing or windows tightly shut to conserve heat will stop through draughts, circulation of air and hence drying of the environment.
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Histamine
Some foods are naturally rich in histamine, one of the chemicals produced by the mast cells (see page 15) and responsible for some of the unpleasant effects of allergic reaction. Histamine is produced in foods that have been allowed to ferment, such as cheese, or in well-ripened foods, such as salami and sausages – especially if they are not kept very cool. Certain fish, particularly those of the mackerel family, also produce histamine if they are kept in too warm conditions. The symptoms that can be caused by histamine include vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, rashes, headaches and reddening of the skin. These are due to a reaction to high levels of histamine acting directly on the body, not to an allergic reaction.
Other Chemicals in Foods
Histamine is a ‘vasoactive amine’, a type of chemical that affects the blood vessels. Other vasoactive amines – particularly tyramine, phenylethylamine and octopamine – are found in many foods and can cause direct adverse reactions – notably headaches and migraine, but also flushing and urticaria. Like histamine, tyramine is present in cheeses, and fermented and pickled foods. Other foods high in vasoactive amines include yeast extract, chocolate, bananas, avocados, wine and citrus fruits.
Another, more familiar, chemical, that is present in foods and can cause adverse reactions, is caffeine. It is found in tea and coffee, and in lower doses in chocolate and cola drinks. Some painkillers also contain caffeine. Caffeine can affect some individuals more than others. It is a powerful drug that affects the nervous system and can induce a wide range of symptoms
Eating too much fruit can also be the cause of adverse food reactions, such as diarrhoea and stomach pain. Many fruits are naturally laxative. Some are well known, such as prunes, figs or rhubarb, but many others can also have this effect, especially if eaten in large quantity.
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