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Multiple chemical sensitivity: Woman¿s extreme allergic reaction to cleaning products means setting foot in supermarket could make her collapse

A mother-of-one has a good excuse for avoiding housework - because she fears using everyday cleaning products could kill her.

Mary-Grace Milner from Rochford in Essex is so allergic to bleach and other cleaning agents that the slightest whiff can send her body spiraling into a severe allergic reaction.

Her symptoms include inflamed skin, soaring blood pressure and blurred vision.

Allergy: Mary-Grace Milner with some of the 40 medications she was prescribed to try and reduce her strange symptoms

The rare chemical intolerance - known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity - is so bad Mrs Milner cannot even set foot in the cleaning aisle at her local supermarket.

The 40-year-old was first struck down with the condition last November when an anti-bacterial wipe triggered blurred vision and sore lungs.

The bizarre reaction has since forced her to change every aspect of her life. She has had to throw away items from carpet cleaners to deodorants and toothpastes - for fear they will spark a debilitating reaction.

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Mary said: 'I have a list of 400 cleaning and personal care products that I need to avoid.

'I tend to steer clear of the chemical aisles in every store. I can go fairly near them but I cannot walk down them still to this day - the stench is overwhelming.

'I have collapsed before, and get blurred vision, severe nose bleeds, sore lungs and a cough - sometimes all at the same time - after a bad exposure.

'Most women think it sounds great to have a medical excuse not to do the housework, but it can make life very difficult when you are a busy mum.'

House proud: Ms Milner, pictured with husband Lee and son Theo, now says she will only use natural organic cleaning products

The clinical support officer first realised all was not well when a solvent used by a handyman caused her heart to begin racing uncontrollably and plunged her blood pressure to a drastic low. 

Then the following day an anti-bacterial wipe used in the kitchen by husband Lee sparked an even more catastrophic reaction - despite Mary being upstairs.

Mary said: 'My eyes became puffy, vision became blurred and scarily my breathing slowed right down.

'It's like your throat is closing up and when that happens you can't breathe properly.

'I can't be in the same building as the chemicals let alone the same room.'

The condition baffled doctors at first and it was only after visiting a homoeopath, who spotted the symptoms, that she was finally diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

'My body never felt right and I was left with no doubt in my mind that the chemicals were the root cause of my problems,' she said.

Lindsey McManus, from Allergy UK, said: 'It is a 21st century disease. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is a chronic condition and usually occurs in response to a chemical exposure.

'Often people have a low immune system which cannot cope with the harshness of the chemicals.

'I've known of people in extreme cases who haven't been able to work ever again, and others who can't leave the home or go shopping in supermarkets.

'It is an uncommon and misunderstood condition.'

Mary said she had improved her condition by using all natural and organic products as well as turning to homeopathy and acupuncture.

She said: 'Despite the condition, I'm very house proud and my home is probably the cleanest anyone will ever see.

'I now have to use all natural products like eco-cloths and water instead of sprays and potions.

'Cleaning the loo means mixing some bicarbonate of soda and vinegar, and instead of deodorising sprays I have to use organic lemon oil.

'My family has been amazing and so supportive throughout.'

Despite being a recognised illness, Mary still experienced difficulties convincing doctors that everyday products caused the reaction.

She added: 'I would dearly love for this disorder to be recognised properly. There are no blood tests to check your body for a chemical intolerance.

'The biggest problem is those who react in a negative way. Just because you have no visible signs of an illness doesn't mean you suffer any less.'

Keith Enever, 58, who treats Mary and has practiced homoeopathy for 28 years, said: 'She has a severe intolerance to petrochemical based products, so any cleaning agents, room sprays and even products like make-up could set a reaction off.

'The big problem is these kinds of products are everywhere, which made her quality of her life almost non existent - but she has taken massive strides in coping with it.'


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