Inhaling Paint While Pregnant

As a person suffering from multiple allergies AND severe chemical sensitivities, I doubt that a 24-hour exposure to one of the less-toxic kinds of paint is terribly likely to have caused your daughter's allergies – with the possible exception of peanuts, because latex and peanut allergies are frequently linked.

However, even though that one exposure probably didn't make her sick, many such sensitivity problems are believed to be cumulative. And modern homes are loaded with toxic chemicals, many of which don't have to be revealed by manufacturers.

If you use fabric softeners, air "fresheners," just about any scented or spray-on cleaner, many everyday toiletries, many construction glues or new carpet, if you unwrap plastic packaging indoors, wear fabrics that are set with formadehyde-laced sizing, or use a whole host of other ubiquitous products that are part of modern life, if you drive your children during rush-hour traffic or live near heavily-traveled roads, you have probably exposed yourself and your children in a month to a whole host of toxins with a far more potent total load than that one night of paint fumes. For those of us who have exceeded our maximum tolerable threshhold, breathing the air in many homes and public buildings has become hazardous.

I have to differ with those who argue that "because my child was exposed to X and turned out fine, then X is not harmful." This is simply not sound science. A thousand people could be exposed to a whole year of some toxic X, and only a few of the less robust will succumb to illness per year (again, many sensitivities are cumulative over time). But for those few, the impact can be life-changing.

Very fair children often are more fragile and at risk of allergy and other sensitivities. I used to participate in group testing for sensitivities, and 8 or 9 out of 10 people in the room were extremely fair-skinned and light-haired (I'm a freckled redhead). But nobody's immune. And many of the modern toxins are known to be synergystic – more injurious in combination with others. So "safe" levels of several separate chemicals may be considerably more hazardous when they are inhaled or ingested along with each other. There's just so much researchers have not yet had time to test.

So, D., what to do with all this risk? I have to agree with Lillian that there is really no point whatsoever hanging onto guilt, because there is really no likelihood that you'll every know how large a contribution those paint fumes made. Or any other toxins you may be unknowingly using every day.

The best you can do is learn along the way, make sensible adjustments, and move forward. If you can't accept that life is a risk – for everybody, every day, in ways we can hardly imagine until an accident occurs or an illness strikes, you will be emotionally crippled. Don't do that to yourself, or your family.

Living. Is. Risk. You can't protect your children from everything. And parents who try often limit their kids' ability to lead a challenging, interesting, varied and exciting life. Your daughter's life is already challenged, and perhaps will be limited as a result. But focus on what is still available to her, and don't look back. Teach her how to live as fully as possible within her borders. I am extremely constrained in where I can go physically without suffering severe symptoms, and even when I do attempt an outing during less-crowded times, I am frequently chased out of restaurants, movies, or public restrooms by perfume and other toxins in the air. But I accept my challenges and limitations, and can honestly say that I am a happy person, and my life feels fascinating and worthwhile.

If you want some real information that you can use to clean up your home and remove unnecessary risks, google terms like "non-toxic homes." You'll learn a lot, and can probably significantly decrease the toxic load your kids will have to bear as they grow up.

Peace and blessings.

I agree with the other posters that one night of paint fumes would not link or cause food allergies. I helped paint the nursery and my daughter does not have any allergies. However, I understand the pain of guilt and hidden anger that you feel. The battle you face on a daily basis is feeding both of those emotions. I am sorry for what has happened to you and your little girl. I wish that there was some way to confirm or squash the speculations you have carried with you. I pray for peace that you can let it go. I know it's hard. When I was 7 months pregnant I felt something on my shoulder blade and asked my husband to check and see if I had a bite. He didn't see anything. However, there was a tick carrying Lyme Disease in that spot. I was infected and so was my unborn baby. 4 years later we have treated both of us, she has worn leg braces, and had OT and PT. I saw my husband look at my back. He didn't see the tick. It was smaller than a poppyseed but in the beginning I couldn't help but feel angry that the tick wasn't found. The guilt I have felt over the years has been horrible. Granted this isn't the same situation but I am just trying to help you with another example of having to let go and pick up the pieces. Your Mom would never do anything to comprise your health or her grandchild's health. Things happen even when they are unfair. Try to give peace to the situation. I would hate for this to ruin the relationship you have with your mom or give any tension between your daughter and mother. Have you been able to find any support groups for allergies. Maybe they can be a big help for recipes and safe foods. Bless you and your family.

It's not the paint. I repainted my entire house in a crazy nesting phase while pregnant with each of my kids, and furthermore I'm a construction manager, so I was exposed to the craziest kinds of fumes imaginable. Neither of my kids has any allergies at all.

It sounds like you are frustrated with your daughter's numerous allergies. That's certainly a lot to deal with! Allergies are an auto-immune issue; nobody really knows why these things happen. Here's an interesting article on a possible future "cure" for allergies - what an intriguing idea! http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/25017/

I've never heard of a correlation between paint fumes and allergies. Normally the correlation is between paint and neurological issues. Just my opinion on this, but it's just your daughter's genetics. Cut yourself and your mom some slack. No matter why she has allergies, there's nothing you can do to change the past. I'm sorry you're dealing with this. :)

It wasn't the paint. I painted during both of my pregnancies. I slept in rooms that had been freshly painted. Both my girls are relatively healthy. Nobody knows what causes allergies. No studies that I know of even suggest paint fumes has anything to do with any type of allergies. It's normal to look for something or someone to blame. We tend to think there HAS to be a reason for everything. Allergies are one of those things there just isn't a reason for. Stop beating yourself up. It's not your fault. It's not your mom's fault either.

I don't think it's the paint either. Back when my first son (now 19) was born, I painted his room while in the first trimester. He was and still is a very healthy young man Of course back then, we didn't know about the dangers of using the regular/conventional kinds of paint. Now with three more kids ages 4-8, i've only used the safe kind for any projects inside or outside. For the future though, whether pregnant or not, use either low VOC or no VOC's. Safer for you, your family and pets.

I doubt that one night with paint would cause those problems, of course I am not a doctor, but when I was pregnant with my daughter my OB told me that it was fine to paint the baby's room as long as there was proper ventilation. Try not to beat yourself up, I don't think her allergies are your fault.

No D., it's not the paint. Your daughter just has allergies to certain foods but her immunity was not cut down becasue of the exposure to the paint. Let it go and move on. Just consider it a lesson learned as far as if you are not comfortable somewhere go with those instincts. I think the only thing that could have happened that night was you probably had a really bad headache the day after.

Honestly I highly doubt there is any reason to worry at all! As a matter of fact I would never think to connect the two. I have painted during all four of my pregancies, and none of my kids have any health problems at all, besides the occasional cold, but there is no harm in a small exposure to it. If you were breathing them in the entire time you were pregnant then it might be different. You should talk to your doctor about this as well, I am sure they will also put your fear at rest. I would look more to a family history of allergies than anything else, but since I have no allergies, and neither do my kids (hubby does, but they are seasonal) I would know much about it. Good luck!

Yes inhaling paint is probably not a good idea. However, your baby probably has a compromised immune system.

It may be advisable to get her on a good vitamin and mineral supplementation and good probiotics.

Also, for her eczema it is probably the cleaners that you use to clean your house. It has been found that cleaners cause eczema, asthma, alleriges, brain damage, reproductive damage and a whole host of other diseases.

I have found that Shaklee has very good nutrition. They test all their products for contaminants (only one in the industry that I know of that does so) - they also test for lead which I have never found another company that does this.

Try Shaklee. It is guarantee. You get your money back if it doesn't work for you. Both the non-toxic cleaners and the vitamins. In fact, Shaklee's Cleaners are so economical that you could probably buy the vitmains with the money you save from buying the cleaners. Your daughter will get better and both you and your daughter will be happy and healthy. What do you have to lose? You get your money back if it doesn't work. What other company guarantees results like that?

N.
http://nutritionproducts.myshaklee.com
http://nontoxiccleaners.myshaklee.com

I highly doubt the paint had anything to do with it! My mother refinished a desk, including sanding, new varnish and paint w/ a paint sealant while pregnant with me, AND she painted my nursery. I've had hay fever, but that's it. No other allergies or problems! It's not great to inhale, but an overnight trip isn't that much. It's not like you were painting for a living and inhaling it all the time.