Many people with asthma, allergies or a broader term of chemical sensitivity have symptoms related to exposure to chemical, biologic, or physical agents. Levels that are generally considered safe for most people can have an effect on a few. The symptom are often not specific and wide-ranging, but include headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, congestion, itching, sneezing, sore throat, chest pain, changes in heart rhythm, breathing problems, muscle pain or stiffness, skin rash, confusion, and memory problems.
People who have the symptoms may relate them to a major event, such as a chemical spill, or everyday exposure to contact with low levels of chemicals. Some of the triggers reported include perfume, tobacco smoke, auto exhaust, insecticide, new carpet, chlorine, and many others.
Evidence and therefore diagnosis can be difficult because they are no clear tests or sometimes even treatment for a person who has multiple chemical sensitivities. Experts speculate that the symptoms are an immune response similar to an allergy. For people with allergies or asthma, it is somewhat easier to identify a culprit for the symptoms.
How does this affect you even if you don’t suffer from allergies, asthma or a chemical sensitivity? You can help those around you by wearing a little less perfume, not smoking in public, and using proper ventilation when painting or using cleaning supplies.
June Health Happenings
Photosensitivity
It’s summer and time again for plenty of sunscreen. A common cause of sunburn, other than overexposure, is medication you may take every day. Photosensitivity (or sun sensitivity) is inflammation of the skin caused by the combination of sunlight and certain medications or substances. In phototoxic reactions, the drug may become activated by exposure to sunlight and cause damage to the skin. The skin's appearance resembles sunburn, and the process generally has a fast onset. Ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation is most commonly associated with phototoxicity, but ultraviolet B (UVB) and visible light may also contribute to this reaction.
A rash from a phototoxic reaction is mainly confined to the sun-exposed area of the skin. The rash typically clears up once the drug is discontinued and has been cleared from the body, even after re-exposure to light.
Individuals with phototoxic reactions may initially complain of a burning and stinging sensation. Then the redness typically occurs within 24 hours of the exposure to sun in the exposed areas of the body such as the forehead, nose, hands, arms, and lips. In severe cases, the sun protected areas of skin may be also be involved. The range of skin damage may vary from mild redness to swelling to blister formation in more severe cases. The rash from this photosensitivity reaction usually resolves with sloughing off of the skin in the affected area within several days.
Common phototoxic drugs include the following: Various antibiotics like Cipro, tetracycline, and some sulfonamides, the antihistamine Benedryl, Cardiac drugs like Procardia and Cardizem, Lasix which is a diuretic, and several other classes of medications. For a more complete list check the Parish Nurse Wall Pocket in the Welcome Center.
The next American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at CCPC on Sunday, May 20 from
8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in Ballard Hall. The Central Ohio area provides necessary blood products for several hospitals and medical centers in the region so the needs are always critical. In an hour or less, you can save a life! Please call 1-800 RED CROSS to schedule an appointment.
Our Journey of Hope returns to the Columbus area. In January 2011, our church sponsored this Lay ministry training that teaches what spiritual outreach is and how to reach out and support cancer patients and their families within our church and the community. This program is uplifting and entertaining as well as educational.
This years’ event is on Saturday, May 26 at the Martin Janis Center at the Fairgrounds (600 E. 11th Ave. Columbus 43211.) This free program is from 8:30-5:00, lunch is provided and Nurses can earn CEUs. Fliers with more information are available in the Parish Nurse wall pocket at the Welcome Center
To register, contact Angela McKinley via email at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or call 440-5328. For specific questions about the program you can also send an email to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
