Avoidance - more about home

Hello again.

On my last post, I talked about avoidance at home, but neglected to mention neighbors. Many MCS sufferers, whether in a house or apartment, have issues with neighbors, supers, and landlords. When your neighbor is using scented dryer sheets or your super is cleaning the hall with a product containing ammonia and fragrance, and those chemicals are drifting into your space, a reaction can occur.

Keeping those chemicals out can be difficult and frustrating. I have not tried anything because this is not a major problem for me, but I'll report about what others have told me.

Some people tape up their windows. I expect that weather stripping on windows and doors may also help. I just don't know if you'll get enough fresh air if you tape up permanently.

I have read suggestions that you could ask the "offenders" to change to safe products. I can't imaging that this would do any good, but buying them products might.

I was told that it is possible to create higher pressure inside than outside which would prevent the outside air from coming in. I have no idea how that is done or how much it would cost, but you could discuss it with a contractor.

Another issue is people coming into the house such as delivery people or tradesmen. I try to ask for people who are fragrance-free, but they don't always cooperate. It is up to you to decide if you want to let them in your house or not. I usually do, but once I sent a floor installation crew away and called to remind their office that I had requested fragrance free. The next crew they sent was fine.

When I let "stinky" people in, I turn on my air cleaner and exhaust fan. If weather permits, I open windows and doors until the stink is gone.

Guests can be another issue. I let people know in advance that I cannot tolerate fragrance and that they cannot wear perfumes or other fragrances in my home or car. I also make sure they know why so they don't feel insulted. Not everyone will necessarily cooperate.

This is not an exact science. You have to figure out what works for you.