Lupus and gardening

[sippy33]

I could really use your expert opinion.  I live in a shared space community where almost everyone loves gardening and landscaping.  However, there is a woman with lupus who claims that mold in everything from soil to mulch gives her trouble.  She's asked for some accommodations that reduce the amount of landscaping projects near her home - especially those that are in the path of the main wind patterns.  She claims she cannot be on steroids because of her intolerance to synthetic pharmaceuticals and the long-term dangers and risks.  Some people here really want to consider her health whereas others don't think that the gardening, etc. harms her as much as she claims.  Could you answer a few questions?

Can a person with lupus/MCS get headaches, tissue pain, rashes, congestion, facial pain, swelling, insomnia, respiratory problems and bleeding in the lungs from the mold in exposed soil?  Could these symptoms continue beyond the day of exposure?  Can wind affect these reactions?  Can straw,  mulch, compost and composted manure cause these reactions?  Isn't spring already so moldy that adding these sources wouldn't do much to her?

She claims to have so much pain and we're wondering if she's exaggerating.  Can you clarify this mystery?

[Deeds]

it sounds like she has more of a mold allergy then anything contributing thre the lupus.  I know once people are sensitized to molds that do make them sick and react - that will not go away without allergy treatment (shots, meds etc...) sounds like your neighbor is confusing allergies with lupus.  lupus to me is more of akin to rhuematoid arthritis where arid desert air is better on the joints, tissue and mucles... perhaps your neighbor should shut her windows and invest in a HEPA room airfilter?  that would cut down her airborne contaiminates and let you all garden. The world outside cannot stop because she won't take preventative measures too... It sounds like your community has been considerate to her needs ((wind patterns and all!)) ---- (((mold, dust and pollen particulates will find their way to her nasal cavity regardless of your trying to divert them away)))  Steriods only reduce the inflamation (inflammation) that would trigger her allergic reaction... she really needs to get the room filter...I bought a honeywell one and have it on all the time - really reduced the unseen offenders in our house...that was $135.00 - I still have to take Astelin and Benedryl for when I go outside ((nothing keeps me inside!!)) so, I'd suggest she see an allergist...

[PlateletGal]

The answer to your questions is yes and it isn't just someone with lupus --- anyone could have a severe allergy to mold.