Newspaper print

Hi everyone, this is my first blog :-) i think i am allergic to newspaper print in the Daily Mirror (sounds weird) but i think its true, ive had breathing problems for the past week was checked out for asthma, heart lungs etc all ok came home to read the paper and my (dry cough and breathing probs returned) ive now banned newspapers from my living room, or am i just being paranoid? lol help please anyone else had this? many thanks

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

What you seem to be having is called colonophony. Colophony is one of the causes of allergies and allergic contact dermatitis. Colophony is the yellow, sticky sap tapped from pine & spruce tree trunks.It is widely used in a number of products,newspaper ink being one of them.

Avoidance is the best treatment.However,you should consult an allergist and get yourself tested for the various products which have this sap.If you are allergic to one of them(newspaper ink) ,chances are that you are allergic to others also.

Hope this helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.

[FurballsMom]

I am allergic to newsprint, too, so that means that telephone books and other printed materials are a nuisance, too.  Nevermind the ignorant comments of others, who don't have this allergy and don't understand what this is like.  I have come across these people in my lifetime, even recently.  This isn't weird and you're not crazy.  These kinds of allergies are becoming more and more common these days, too.

There is one other thing that can go a long way towards avoiding these allergens for the ones who want to read the newspaper.  Many newspapers now have online subscriptions, so you could actually eliminate the need for newspapers being in the home altogether.  And, you can get most of the news online on your homepage anyway.

I have noticed the same thing in certain newly printed books.  So, I have to do the smell test before I'm willing to bring any printed materials into my home.

[SKN1970]

Can you tell me what type of symptoms you have with your newsprint allergy?  I can't find much on the internet and most only discusses the contact dermititis, rash, etc.  But, aren't there usually breathing issues and other symptoms like runny or stuffy nose, cough, headache, nausea, etc?  Similar to a purfume type allergy?  Thanks!

[slimone]

Well I have the same allergies from news print, every day the news paper arrives and when I bring it into the house, open it and the tears and the sneezing begins, althought the news of today usually STINK, but think this is mostly from the fresh ink of the pages. I can open it up and spread it out in the garage and air it out and it helps some. It is very disturbing and expensive from allergy medicine and daily news papers are not cheap. Thinking about canceling my subscription. Could be the real cure. Whatcha think ?

[MCO]

Allergy to newsprint is actually very common.  Fortunately there is a "cure" for this and other allergies through a treatment you can read about at NAET.com.  You can also find a practitioner in your area from this website.   I can give testimony on how well this simple treatment can work.  I had multiple allergies and no longer am bothered by them. My children have also had great success with these treatments.  They are painless and quick and usually permanent.

MCO

[evaraya]

i have to share this to u and its open for comments, its been widely known in our place and its been proven to me that newspaper or newsprinted paper can be used to suppress your asthma and even cough when put on your back. the same way when u put a towel on your back