Allergic to Christmas
After having a very strong allergic reaction to cinnamon in Napiers this week (I was in for 5 minutes, and they have very Christmassy scents, by the time I got to work I had to be sent home as I was very ill and close to throwing up), I am asking everyone to be on the look out for other shops (I already know oxfam has cinnamon candles, and tesco). I will be reissueing my food list - but please could people be aware and make anyone I may visit aware that I am now HIGHLY allergic to perfumes - and may be too polite to say that what you/they are wearing is making me feel sick. I may react to ANY strong scents, especially christmassy ones. Candles, pot-pourries and air fresheners will not only make me feel tired and nauseous, but could increase my chance of collapsing. Thank you - that also means I cannot use any essential oils or eat any spices.
SPICES = cumin, chili, coriander, turmeric, saffron, curry powder, cayenne, etc.
(The only one I am uncertain about is ginger).
It seems to be the amount of spice I eat that is the problem - and a trace of spice, or small amount in a packet may be OK. If in doubt - leave it out (this includes black pepper). If you have cooked something - then leave out the recipe or packet for me to read - it saves both parties the embarrassment of me being able to taste something in the cooking, and then wondering how to ask you, especially if there are any guests around.
The same seems to go for most herbs - the main suspects are Rosemary, and Thyme. My suspicion is that several of the main chemicals in pine (a-pinene, b-pinene, limonene) are in many other herbs and spices, and may mean they are a small risk -all I really know is I am WAY more allergic than I was before.
Fresh paint or varnish will make me throw up - if a person's level of allergy increases - it is possible for them to develop anaphylaxis - and that is why I am being so cautious. However - the worst I have had is being sick - I need to be kept warm, and put somewhere comfy if this happens. If I collapse, well er, that's another bit of illness, not even related to allergy : ).
By being this observant and vigilant - I have achieved a level of physical stability I didn't know I could - and although this last year has been a very difficult journey of having to adjust to rapid lifestyle changes - chances are I'm more at peace about having to give up so many recipes, and avoid so many places than it will be for my friends.
Believe me - I know it is difficult when you want to cook fancy and your friend needs plain. As an avid cook I appreciate this.
If I do visit you, or go to the cinema or church with you - please do not take offense if i sit away from you - it does take me longer to recover if i have been breathing in perfume (and that includes fabric conditioner), and it does make the ME/CFS worse. Try and spend a day smelling everyone and everywhere you go - then calculate just how taxing that is on an immune system that thinks these natural substances are poison. From computers, to shoe leather, to toothpaste to furnishings (new houses, and new furniture make my head so fuzzy, my mood so wobbly, and can take hours of sleep to recover from), every single one of these are related to pine.
Roll on my wee oak fired cave in the barren hills, I shall eat my fish and potatoes and think of you all there.
SPICES = cumin, chili, coriander, turmeric, saffron, curry powder, cayenne, etc.
(The only one I am uncertain about is ginger).
It seems to be the amount of spice I eat that is the problem - and a trace of spice, or small amount in a packet may be OK. If in doubt - leave it out (this includes black pepper). If you have cooked something - then leave out the recipe or packet for me to read - it saves both parties the embarrassment of me being able to taste something in the cooking, and then wondering how to ask you, especially if there are any guests around.
The same seems to go for most herbs - the main suspects are Rosemary, and Thyme. My suspicion is that several of the main chemicals in pine (a-pinene, b-pinene, limonene) are in many other herbs and spices, and may mean they are a small risk -all I really know is I am WAY more allergic than I was before.
Fresh paint or varnish will make me throw up - if a person's level of allergy increases - it is possible for them to develop anaphylaxis - and that is why I am being so cautious. However - the worst I have had is being sick - I need to be kept warm, and put somewhere comfy if this happens. If I collapse, well er, that's another bit of illness, not even related to allergy : ).
By being this observant and vigilant - I have achieved a level of physical stability I didn't know I could - and although this last year has been a very difficult journey of having to adjust to rapid lifestyle changes - chances are I'm more at peace about having to give up so many recipes, and avoid so many places than it will be for my friends.
Believe me - I know it is difficult when you want to cook fancy and your friend needs plain. As an avid cook I appreciate this.
If I do visit you, or go to the cinema or church with you - please do not take offense if i sit away from you - it does take me longer to recover if i have been breathing in perfume (and that includes fabric conditioner), and it does make the ME/CFS worse. Try and spend a day smelling everyone and everywhere you go - then calculate just how taxing that is on an immune system that thinks these natural substances are poison. From computers, to shoe leather, to toothpaste to furnishings (new houses, and new furniture make my head so fuzzy, my mood so wobbly, and can take hours of sleep to recover from), every single one of these are related to pine.
Roll on my wee oak fired cave in the barren hills, I shall eat my fish and potatoes and think of you all there.
Labels: allergy, anaphylaxis, CFS, christmas, cinnamon, ME, pine
posted by Miss Fairy Sparkle at
2:48 PM
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