Allergic to Paint??

4254 Views 5 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Hamada, Nov 7, 2010

forHISglory

Discussion Starter · Nov 7, 2010

I deal with a lot of allergies, but handle them pretty well. Mostly I'm allergic to cats, dogs, rabbits, mold, dust, grass that has been mowed, cigarette smoke, eucalyptus, ivory soap....

But tonight something weird happened. Hubby and I were painting the bathroom, using Dutch Boy paint. It's a small space. About 30 minutes before we finished, I began sneezing so hard that I scarcely had time to breathe. My nose flowed like a pump, and my head seemed to fill with such pressure, that my ears hurt and I literally could not hear anything. It was scary. I rapidly took a benedryl and an allergy pill, and now about an hour later, it is calming down.

Could I be allergic to paint? I've done a lot of painting over the years, and have never had anything like this happen before. Thought it might be the brand, as I've never used it before. Or it might be the small unventilated space?

Anyone else allergic to paint?

Save

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

HappyMama

· #2 · Nov 7, 2010

I am so sorry you had a reaction, glad to hear you are feeling a little better now. Yes my kids and I have allergies ,and use to get reactions to paints as well. Could be the VOC's:

VOC is short for volatile organic compound. In plain terms, these are chemical liquids that evaporate at room temperature. Examples of these include solvents used in low VOC or traditional paints (such as ethylene and propylene glycols, paint thinner/turpentine). The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has identified paints to be a major contributor to VOCs inside our homes and in the environment. VOCs contribute to poor indoor air quality, have measurable negative effect on human health, and VOCs contribute to smog/air pollution. ( taken from Yolo paints)

This is the brand I now use which has no VOC's:

YOLO Colorhouse: No VOC Paint, Non Toxic, Low Odor Eco Paints

Hopefully once you get air in there , it will clear out and you will be better. Maybe allergies or as you said small unventilated space. Sending hugs your way.

See less See more

*Angel*

Dave R. Plan
Step one - Done
Step two-Done
Step three-Done
Step four-Done
Step five- Working on
Step six- almost done
Living debt free except the mortgage and working on that !!!

Be content with what you have;
Rejoice in the way things are,
When you realise there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you.

-Lao Tzu

Have Courage
“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires…courage.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back..." Maya Angelou

"Choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life." (Confucius 551-478 BC)

Save

2ndGenGranola

· #3 · Nov 7, 2010

Oh yes!! Allergies to paint are common. I find brands are very important. I look for low odor brands.

Save

Judi Dial

· #4 · Nov 7, 2010

We painted the house in Tampa before we sold it, that's how I found out I was allergic to paint.

The painting I did this past summer I used milk paint only because of this, although the exterior paint we bought was conventional. I won't have conventional paint in the house because of my allergies. Check out milk paint, it works just fine and has NO VOCs.

Judi

Save

MTS04

· #5 · Nov 7, 2010

Yep, VOC's will do it every time. I can't paint with Behr, Sherwin WIlliams or Dutchboy. Glidden and Lowe's brand seem ok. It's weird, Behr, Sw, and Dutchboy actually make me feel like vomiting then I start with the watery eyes etc.

Good luck with your painting.

Save

Hamada

· #6 · Nov 7, 2010

Well, that is pretty scary. Hope you are feeling better.

Save

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month