Doctors Who Work with Chemical Sensitivity
I was recently exposed to a pesticide spraying and have become one of those people I previously thought were kind of nutty. The ones who wear face masks and become violently ill at the scent of perfume, scented laundry detergent, car exhaust, etc. I feel like I kind of deserve this for not believing in it before. But I also desperately want to get better.
My questions are:
1. Are there any doctors (actual MDs) in the East Bay who believe in chemical sensitivity (also known as environmental illness) and who try to treat it?
2. Do you know any non-traditional doctors who have been successful at treating this?
3. Are there any support groups in the East Bay for this?
4. Are there any websites, books, etc. that you have found helpful?
I apologize in advance to chemical sensitivity sufferers reading this. I have been so wrong. I am deeply sorry for my contribution to making you feel alienated and unheard.
—Want to Recover
Parent Replies
I do not know any MD's who specialize in this. However, I can strongly recommend an intelligent, skilled, unusually caring, supportive acupuncturist who has broad areas of knowledge and expertise. Over many years of combining Western and Eastern medicine, I've used various acupuncturists, and Jenny is the best. She is particularly skilled at recommending herbs along with acupuncture to treat a wide variety of problems. She would not be hesitant to tell you if this is something she is not comfortable treating and could recommend other sources. She has a very cheerful, comfortable office in a convenient location with available street parking.
Dr. Jenny Crissman. (510) 595-0700
6536 Telegraph Ave. Berkeley
I accept your apology. However, I am not concerned about feeling alienated or unheard. I am concerned about getting miserable headaches because people insist on wearing perfume at work and in public. So for all of you reading out there: Please no fragrances! Use those air fresheners or scented candles in your house if you want, but please don't use fragrances outside of your home! Thank you!
So, to get to the actual questions. I know of no doctor who treats it. In fact, I know of no treatment. You just have to figure out what bothers you and stay away from it. Get all fragranced products out of your home. Stop using any toxic cleaning products. For cleaning, all you need is water, Bonne Amie, and fragrance-free dish detergent. Maybe some vinegar on occasion. Fresh paint, new carpet, and other building materials can be a problem. So can car exhaust and gas stoves. Maybe get an air cleaner with lots of carbon in it. I like EL Fouste. I tried a support group years ago, but it was not helpful. I recommend reading Debra Lynn Dadd. If you want to talk, send me your phone number: sunsolsal [at] hotmail.com
Hope you are feeling better soon.
Dr. Kushnir in Berkeley.
i suddenly became terribly allergic to many things, which included chemical sensitivity... she is a bit 'off the beaten path,' but her protocol worked for me. She's a board-certified immunologist and allergist, if my memory serves...