Feeling Low?

Blame The Floor Polish!　

　 Household cleaning agents can be a health hazard. Picture by TOPHAM If you have been experiencing a more than usual share of rashes, fatigue, depression, headaches, and loss of concentration, perhaps you give a second look at your floor polish, the window cleaning liquid, or your hair tonic. House-proud home- bodies beware. You could be surrounded by hidden dangers to your health. If you have experienced more than your fair share of rashes, fatigue, depression, headaches, and loss of concentration, perhaps you should blame it on the floor polish, the window cleaning liquid, or your hair tonic. According to experts, the fumes from some of them can affect your health, and you could be addicted to the very products that are making you ill. Skin expert Dr Alfred Zamm gives all his patients a list of common household smells and asks how they react to them. “I’ve discovered that patients are most affected by the smells they like, especially if they are exposed to the vapors regularly,” says the Canadian-born dermatologist. “They enjoy the smells without realizing that the exposure could be the cause of fuzzy thinking, headaches or rashes.”

　 One of his patients came to him complaining of tiredness and loss of concentration. Her problem was traced to the frequent use of a petroleum-based floor polish.

　 Dr Zamm’'s advice is: “If you can’t eat it, don’t breathe it. You wouldn’'t put floor polish on a slice of bread and eat it. By the same token, you shouldn’t be breathing in its fumes. “All polishes, whether for shoes, furniture or silver, should be used outdoors, on at least near an open back door or windows.”

　 Soaps, bath-powders, after-- shave lotions and cosmetics can -- if you are allergic to them — also make you ill. “Orris root, which used to be a very common constituent of cosmetics and is a potent allergen, is rarely used today,” says London dermatologist Nancy Pearce. “But it may still be found as a carrier or a binder in some perfumes, especially soaps, colognes, toilet waters and other strongly-scented toilet articles. “Linseed or flaxseed may be found in wave-set liquids, hair tonics, and soaps and on tiled floors. “Denture adhesives may contain karaya gum which can act as an allergen. Bedroom deodorants may contain sensitizers.” Bleaches, detergents, anti-hard water agents and fabric softeners can all lead to various skin problems, because small quantities of these chemicals often remain in the washed garments.

　 “Some of my female patients turn up with rashes on their legs which have been caused by synthetic stockings or dye, or rashes on their forehead resulting from hair rinses or dyes,” says Nancy Pearce.

　 “Some women spend much of their time during the day in the kitchen. And they could be allergic to many of the items with which they come into contact. “Linoleum is a common kitchen floor covering. This is usually composed of linseed oil which has been treated with chemicals and then exposed to hot air to make it hard. “Linseed oil is also a common base for some of the widely used furniture polishes. A great many people are severe1y allergic to it.”

　 The age and state of repair of your house may be at the root of some allergy symptoms. If it is old and damp, it may be subject to mold growth. The spores of the molds will often get into the air within the house, become part of the house dust and make you ill.

　 Dr Zamm is cautious about what action casualties of the domestic war zone should take in their battle for good health: “I’m not suggesting that people who are made ill because of certain everyday products should stop using them altogether. That would be impracticable.” he says. “You can hardly avoid polishes and cleaners, for example. “But I do suggest that if you think you’re allergic to a substance, have a proper test and try to identify what’s causing the trouble. “And, once you know what it is, shop around for another product which doesn’t contain it.”

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