Can you be allergic to another person?

March 23, 2007

Garardo,

Everyone has a particulate " aura " if you will. The particles we shed depend

on the environment we come from and that on our bodies.

I have taken dust samples from people's clothing and hair and yes, you find

dust mite droppings, pet dander, mold spores and whatever else clothing has

been " immersed " in.

Hair is a great collector, filter if you will, of allergens as well,

especially outdoor pollen and mold. It also will collect dust mite droppings

from a pillow that someone has slept in.

And lastly, you can even be allergic to your naked and clean mate because

dandruff is caused by a yeast (Pityrosporum ovale) that sufferers shed from

their scalp. You can be allergic to this yeast from a mate's hair or even

from your own. Another good reason to keep a healthy scalp.

A study in Finland found that about 10% of hairdressers are allergic to the

yeast in their clients' hair.

I discuss this in " My House is Killing Me! "

I suppose that you could be allergic to organisms (bacteria or yeast) shed

from other body areas as well but I will stop here out of politeness.

Finally, one last delight. My watch band developed a peculiar odor. I

sampled the dust and it was full of bacteria, yeast and mold growing in the

caked-on skin scales.

Give them moisture and food and THEY will come.

C. May, M.A., CIAQP