Still Talking Avoidance

I briefly mentioned the office, which I found to be the worst place for my MCS. I worked in a typical "cube farm" where everyone's nasty scents wafted to the entire area. I mentioned masks, which I have no experience with, so you will have to do your own research. What I didn't mention is that some people have brought the issue to Human Resources as a health concern and have been able to either telecommute or work in a "safe" area of the office. Unfortunately, I think the success rate is fairly low.

Avoiding triggers in other places such as stores, theaters, and restaurants can be difficult. In a restaurant, if it's not crowded, you can try to ask for a different table, but there's no guarantee that there won't be another trigger when you move. The same goes for a theater. If it's not assigned seating, try to move. Even if it is assigned seating, moving probably won't be a problem unless the people whose seat you move into show up. In stores, it can be a little easier because people are moving around. Still, that cleaning products aisle!

So, what to do? Don't go into into the cleaning products aisle unless you need to. When I go into it, I hold my breath as long as I can. If you pass by someone stinky, get away ASAP. We all react differently. Some people react when they get just the tiniest whiff of an offending chemical. Others are OK unless it assaults them for a few minutes or more.

When out in public, many MCS sufferers wear a mask. Some have been made fun of because of it, but if it keeps you from reacting, so what?

I have had to leave places because of the chemicals. It's frustrating to pay for a concert ticket then listen to it from the lobby, but that's better than spending the next day in bed with a migraine or breathing problems or whatever your particular reactions are.

You may want to stay home more often. Groceries and other items can be delivered. Movies come to pay-per-view and cable much faster than they used to. The phone and computer are great for keeping in touch with friends and family, especially now that we have Skype and Facetime. Make your home as comfortable as you can so you want to be there.

Spending time outdoors can help. Take walks in the woods, hang out in a park, find places where the air is clean and you can relax and feel safe.

This is a lonely illness, so find ways to connect with people that don't put you at risk for exposure. Explain it to your friends and see if they will go fragrance-free for you. See if your area has an MCS or Chemical Injury Meet Up group. If meeting in person is too difficult, meet online. There are plenty of MCS Facebook groups.

More on Avoidance and Backlash and Being Around People

One more thing about avoiding triggers at home: visitors and workers. When someone is coming to your house either for social reasons or to do some work, there is nothing wrong with asking them to avoid wearing fragrance. However, this might not work. Sometimes people think they do not have fragrance on because they are not wearing perfume or cologne, but they have on a scented lotion or hairspray or they used dryer sheets on their clothes, etc. Educating people about this issue is difficult and often backfires.

For example, I had a co-worker who had a body odor issue. He decided to move to a desk right next to me. The person on his other side got one of those gel air "fresheners" and put a fan on it blowing across the BO guy and right into my cubicle. I very politely asked her to move the "freshener" and the fan so it no longer blew in my face. She did so, but a few days later, there were two more of those poisonous things on her cubicle wall. Yes, on the top of the wall, not in her cubicle

So, what to do?
At home:
It really depends on how strict you want to be. You have the right to refuse to admit people to your home if they don't comply, but then you could be stuck with things not getting done.
If I need to let a stinky person in, I do, but I turned on my whole-house air cleaner and open both doors.
I always keep my bedroom door closed so there is one room without whatever smells get into the house.
At the office:
I got a desktop air cleaner and made it blow right into my face. That helped somewhat.
Some people wear masks. My version was just to breath through a tissue or paper towel held over my nose.
Some offices will allow people to move to a different area, but I found that so many people wear fragrance that is hard to find a safe area.
If you can telecommute, that would be great.