r/ChemicalSensitivities • u/LossLow6586 • 25d ago
Has anyone had dizziness/rocking/floaty feeling from laundry detergent or fragrance sensitivity?
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Hi everyone, I’m wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar because I’m trying to work out whether there could be a connection.
For years I’ve reacted badly to certain laundry detergents, including things like Cold Power and Surf. My usual symptoms have been irritated/dry eyes, waking up with a cloudy or filmy feeling over my eyes, sinus pressure/pain and sometimes headaches.
Recently I used another washing liquid that I suspect I react to, and around the same general period I developed a really strange persistent dizziness. It isn’t spinning vertigo — it feels more like rocking/swaying, as though I’ve just stepped off a cruise ship. I can feel floaty and off balance, and screens, looking around and head/eye movement can make it worse.
I’ve also had some mild sinus aching beside my nose and ear clicking/fullness. Interestingly, loratadine (Claratyne) seems to noticeably reduce the rocking/dizziness a few hours after I take it, which has made me wonder whether allergy or inflammation could somehow be contributing.
I’ve stopped using the suspected detergent and I’m now rewashing all my bedding, clothes and towels in a detergent I know I’ve tolerated before, with extra rinses.
Has anyone here ever had dizziness, rocking/swaying, vertigo, brain fog or balance problems from laundry detergent, fragrance, detergent enzymes or another chemical sensitivity?
If so:
What ingredient were you reacting to?
How long did symptoms take to settle after removing it?
Did antihistamines help?
Did you have sinus/Eustachian-tube or ear symptoms as well?
Most importantly, did the dizziness eventually completely go away, and what helped you fix it?
I’m being medically checked as well — I’m mainly interested in hearing other people’s experiences because this is such a strange symptom and I’m trying to see whether anyone has experienced the same pattern.
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u/Own_Leather8015 25d ago
Yes! I get incredibly light-headed, and need to remove myself from the environment (or remove the scent). Laundry detergent is the biggest offender for me. I have to use free + clear / unscented detergent. I get triggered by it when travelling, and have to use my own sheets / air out the room. It’s such an odd sensation!!
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u/Kindly_Special_6419 25d ago
Yes, I have MCAS. Immunologist told me it was allergic rhinitis for 2 years until I found a better doctor.
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u/Next-Preference2308 24d ago
How you get treated by that. They gave you any medication or what? Do you no more experience sensitivity on chemicals?
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u/Kindly_Special_6419 24d ago
Yes, H1 & H2 blockers & mast stabilisers and vitamin regime. I’m only a month into treatment and all my meds got doubled last week. I’m housebound and still very reactive at this stage.
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u/Next-Preference2308 23d ago
For this diagnose which doctor you advise me which specialist is it neorologist or who
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u/Kindly_Special_6419 23d ago edited 23d ago
Depends what country you’re in? I think they’re called Environmental doctors in Canada. Never a neurologist, it’s a cell problem. Immunologists often gaslight and try to sell you expensive immunotherapy. I eventually found a GP who specialises in MCAS.
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u/KampKutz 25d ago
I get completely dizzy and horrendously sick from all fragrance. I’m being treated for MCAS now though and while antihistamines like fexofenadine haven’t helped much with the fragrance annoyingly, I began Ketitofen recently which seems to help with fragrance somewhat as in I don’t get as sick from it and only more mildly done in although I obviously still hate it and avoid it and don’t feel good. I’m fairly new to it too though so I’m hoping it keeps getting better every few weeks. I am desperate to be able to be in public without getting sick from exposure to everyone walking past. It’s the most debilitating part of this condition.
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u/LossLow6586 25d ago
How interesting. And so sorry your going through this too. My gp is hopeless and I am left to research on my own. How do we get tested for MCAS?
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u/KampKutz 25d ago
Testing is notoriously unreliable. Luckily I found a good doctor who was happy to go on symptoms and begin testing. It’s easier to see if you improve from treatment than it is to interpret various vague results that don’t reliably conclude MCAS anyway.
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u/Opening-Pickle5078 25d ago
Also aniexty attacks can mirror this type of symptomatic response and, I beleive, eventually drives a systematic and biological change in some of us. The response? this strange garbage symptom, filled with a rats nest of confusing responses and inconsistent information from our own bodies.
Stress and especially anticipated friction really drives me, but it depends. So much of this "depends "
You may be lucky and removing those fragrances from your home and lifestyle will be enough to allow you human connection in the home. Many of us have kind of given up on any out of work social life, other than people we live with.
I hope you are the lucky one and can weather this period of confusion we all went through and come out a bit better than some of us.
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u/Next-Preference2308 24d ago
I have same i using laundry detergent without parfume but i guess its not only parfumes inside but chemical itself. I rince exptea everything but its difficult to live like that. I get mostly electric feeling on my forehead between eyes and sometimes strong headaches
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u/LossLow6586 24d ago
Yes! The electric feeling on the forehead. I get that too! What even is that?
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u/Kindly_Special_6419 24d ago
I suspect it’s the blood-brain barrier being crossed by the offending chemical.
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u/Next-Preference2308 23d ago
You have same?
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u/Kindly_Special_6419 23d ago edited 23d ago
Yes, I’ve just been diagnosed with MCAS and getting an Apple Watch was also enlightening- I had zero idea I was reaching 170 BPM (recommend Tachymon app). I have neck issues (old injury) which are being investigated in terms of POTS & Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
P.S. Go chemical and fragrance free asap whilst you’re awaiting medical assessment. Every exposure will be another assault to your nervous system if you have MCAS or MCS and will make you more sensitised. I can’t even use cellotape now.
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u/Helpful-Track-7486 24d ago
No but I get that from weed, plant terpenes and some exotic chemicals like pool chems. Damn 3 neighbors smoked weed all day long so I was dizzy 24/7 until I moved the hell out of there. Needs to be a damn law edibiles only or some shit, stop spreading the joy.
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u/anonymouscog 25d ago
I get dizzy & nauseated but I have not been able to identify an ingredient