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sensitive to cold air conditioner

I am acutely sensitive to cold air conditioner. The effects are immediate and the colder the air the worse things are. This is followed by a thumping headache and painful soreness in the eyes and nostrils. Further exposure can result in heavy nasal congestion and pain spreading all around my eyes, jaws , teeth, And headache. The problem started  after my open heart surgery for an aorotic valve replacement, and I am on coumadin therapy for life time.  With my primary Dr. we did a lot of  kind lab tests included TSH and they all come normal.  I am a nurse working in the hospital. I wear a lots of clothing . If a go to the grocery store , I run along the aisles becuase I don't want to get sick . I stopped going to restaurants. Can you offer any help as to what it might be, what has caused it and what can be done? I so desperate, please help. Thank you
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Avatar universal
I am Ankush Shewale from mumbai.I too facing problem due to AC.In my home from my childhood there is AC.but i never adjusted with it.when my siblings in night put AC temperature below 24 c Then i face this problem.i have spent years to conclude this with observation.still i am suffering with this.when it become saviour i often take LEOCET - M (aniti allergy) tablet.But now experimenting yoga and healthy diet to avoid tabs.if someone having same problem and luckily found solution please whats app me solution on my whatsapp number - +919594096111
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Avatar universal
I found the remedy/solution to cure myself. It can help you as well.
First I'll outline my symptoms which troubled me badly:
  Unable to eat anything cold. can't even drink water at room temperature i.e. 24 degree Celsius, forget drinking cold water strait from refrigerator or eating ice cream.
  Can't stand in AC environment( 22 degree Celsius or less) more than 1-2 minutes.
  Need to always wear full sleeves clothing and cover head while sleeping.
  if catch cold, which often happened, nose runs like leaking tap. Body temperature goes high.

I was completely helpless for last 2 years. tried all kind of medicine, Ayurveda, Homeopathic and Allopathic nothing could help much.
I was extremely desperate and begging to god for help(though I was atheist :) ). He/She did listen to me.

Over internet someone posted about eating right. Then I researched more and found what worked for me.
I' am directly going to the point, what helped me to cure this so called allergy.

I stopped all the medication immediately and changed my food habit/style.
I Stopped taking food which are acidic in nature like: sugar, all kind of meat, eggs, carbonated soft drinks, white Bread, spices/spicy food.
Started taking food which are Alkaline in nature. drank mineral rich water. no RO water.

Before breakfast: one cup high Ginger Tea.
Breakfast: boiled oats in milk added 10 soaked grated almonds and once its cools off add little jaggary and one fully ripe banana.
One Apple/Papaya after breakfast 30-60 minutes later. I didn’t like Avocado 
Lunch: More of Leafy veggies(more of Spinach), Cauliflower, cabbage, bottle gourds and Mung Dal (Split Mung beans) and multi grain chapattis
Salad Must: Cucumber, Carrot, Beetroot, Radish, Onion.
evening snacks: light sandwich/fruit bowl/sprouts/Spinach soup
Dinner Vegetables from the list of lunch and Mung Dal and multi grain chapattis.
One glass cow milk lukewarm with little jaggary.
Walked after dinner for 20 minutes daily.

No Pizza, No carbonated cold drinks, No Burgers, No fried items.

Now I wear half sleeves T-shirts throughout the day and go into Network LAB which has temperature below 18 degree Celsius with thin jacket.
from Yesterday onwards I started keeping fast fortnightly, ate only one light meal in 24 hours. And will continue thought life.
Didn't face any symptoms for last two months now feeling extremely happy and lucky.

If you follow such eating style you should be able to see result in two-three days. And I would suggest Keep yourself  
worm until you feel that you are cured.
(30 minute exercise in the morning would be more helpful)

During my research over internet I found a good book that helped me immensely.
Book Title: The Wellness Sense - A Practical Guide to Your Physical and Emotional Health (Written by OM Swami)
Don't forget to read this book (you can find free PDF online but I purchased a new copy from Amazon). Remember every body type is different and has been categorized into three type by Ayurveda.
What worked form me may not help you much but this book will help surly has cure for all three body type. May god bless you with good health.


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Avatar universal
Dear all!

I have some of the above symptoms that you mentioned. This AC ******** is putting me under some bad conditions. Time is challenging us all. My father was raised in places with no AC no electricity non of this stupid things we have now days. He is like a rock. I think they put some "poison" in those machines! Currently I live in Abu Dhabi everywhere  u enter is AC present. I start shaking my heart is jumping out of my chest BP goes up. The doctors don't know anything about this. Seriously I'm thinking to go live in the mountains away from all this ******** so called "luxury" Nothing happened to my father or grandparents who lived without them. They were 100x stronger than we r today. Don't go to much to the doctor they will make u think ur crazy. It's because of stress, take it easy don't think to much enjoy life. And than you end up asking urself I'm I really exaggerating? Nope, they just don't know ****. If I can't breath it's not because I'm stressed it because ther is smth wrong. Here the doctors ar butchers. They don't even pay atention  what ur saying,  they put you to do some MRI, XRAY = money money money. I hope all of you find a cure and if I find smth ill be sharing it with you all. May God bless you.
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Avatar universal
for those who struggling with eye irritation / dry syndrome because of AC/cold weather/wind - try to use protective glasses:
1. 7eye glasses
2. "Onion Goggles" - same as 7eye just cheaper
3. Uvex products, like S39610C Stealth Safety Goggles
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Avatar universal
I'm also facing same AC issues, I live in Mumbai, working in an IT company. I get relief if I take 'Levocet M' at night before sleep, the next morning I dont face problems in AC. But sometimes it wont work.

So, Im going to try the solution posted by @FabianS
Glad I found this website
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi there,
I'm working at an International school in Phuket, Thailand. We've moved to our new campus in August. At that time the place was still a construction site. Air con blew constantly directly at my head, combining with the dusty environment. I developed bronchitis, then sinusitis, etc. I've been on med since then with no end insight. I developed this problem when entering cold room, my throat starts to hurt and close up. I have to wear a jacket and keep my throat warmed when in any air conditioned area.
One day, I search on the net and found your advise. I tried it yesterday and I stopped all my med for 24 hour to see the result. I've never felt this good for months. Thank you so much.
Patsy
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Avatar universal
I can so relate, gracieluv! I'm in my office where everybody else is comfortable and I have on a jacket and a blanket over my legs.
I have been sensitive to AC my whole life with any part of my body that is not protected from the breeze (by something more than regular clothes) becoming extremely painful within a few minutes in addition to the cold symptoms experienced by most people here. The more the AC runs, the more I have to bundle up. Everybody thinks I'm just plain crazy 'cause they're hot.
What an uncomfortable way to live!!  ...but I'm so thankful for fresh air outside with it's normal ups and downs in temperature.
Here in Canada we don't need to use AC frequently thankfully, and going outside into the heat for a couple hours at the end of the day typically resolves my issues completely, but by the end of the work week, I'm in bad shape.
I so wish there was a more effective means of being comfortable than the air conditioning we have at this time.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Sandiella,
I understand exactly how you feel, and I tell you most people around don't get it.
Its quite difficult when you have to go back to work everyday and breathe in the cod air again! And others look at you as if something is wrong with you cos they're hot!!!
What I do most days though is to constantly turn up the air-conditioner after a while; make it warm in between. Then I take walks outside of the office especially when its sunny; that heats me up. And most evenings I just soak in a warm bath. These help somehow. I also wear my thermal vests and cardigans most times. Its also useful to clear any residual respiratory or airway infection, with medications I mean

Hope this helps.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It is really good (and sad) to see other people wrestling with the same problems I have now had for some eight years. I have done so many different tests and all have come out negative, so it is really frustrating.
I have not found any miracle cure but some ideas are worth mentioning:
- the obvious one: avoid exposure to AC - I am now going to office for an hour every day doing the rest of the work at home and it helps;
- I have an excellent Chinese medicine / acupunture doctor and he fixes me up for a while (preparing the body for the cold season with acupuncture and Chinese herbal supplments); unfortunately he lives a thousand miles away and I only rarely see him; if you are able to find a good doctor in your neighbourhood, it is really worthwhile!
- eating very spicy food relieves the symptoms - as well as other things that make you sweat like a hot bath/shower; spice does not necessarily mean chili but also ginger, cinnamon, cardamom etc.; in Asian shops one can buy powders for hot ginger drink, drinking this immediately after exposure (or when sitiing at an air conditioned office does help);
- keeping feet warm (the rest of the body as well, but the feet are really the most important part), wearing woollen socks and/or slippers at home;
- wearing a hat and a scarf on the train, at the supermarket and other places where one is exposed to AC;
- one doctor prescribed me Avamys, a local antibiotic nasal spray which I used when it felt especially bad and it helped very quickly (I would deduce then that the problem has something to do with bacteria but I am not really good at biology); unfortunately you get resistant to this medicine, so I have not renewed the prescription;
- avoiding too much mucus in the body is really important - I am keeping away from yeast (beer, pastry), wheat and milk products (as suggested by my doctor), helps considerably (i.e. if I would consume those things it would be even worse than it is now) - the mucus (you can see it in the mirror - if your tongue is white, you have too much of it) reduces the natural immunity of the body as far as I can understand;
- the sun and hot weather help enormously, so those of you who live in a hot climate should be able to benefit, others (like myself) have to travel to hotter climes as often as possible.
I hope this is of some assistance to anyone - and keep on fighting!
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Avatar universal
Hi - just wished to share with you that I was recently diagnosed with irritant eyelid dermatitis following office relocation in 2013.  Office has an overhead heating and ventilation system which I believe is the cause however my employer does not seem to accept any responsibility.  I was subsequently relocated to an office without a HVAC system and my symptoms subsided however I am now required to move into another office with an overhead HVAC system.   Whilst I have raised serious concerns about my health, my employer does not seem to be acknowleding the situation despite online information that cites AC as being one of the main causes of irritant contact dermatitis!  
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Avatar universal
I am experiences the exact same thing! I thought I was crazy, but to know someone that experiences this too, finally I know I'm not crazy!
All the same issues with the workplace being closed in, The AC, the dizziness etc.
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Avatar universal
Hello i read your blog and am very glad that there are other people that also experience similar symptoms to me.  I totally understand how you feel.  I cannot escapte the air conditioning and it also affects my whole life, socially, work related and just general quality of life.  I don't get nose bleeds but i get flu like symptoms and also as you said its worse when the air vent is blowing on you.  I get the sore throat and stuffy sensation and my glands get sore.  I saw so many medical specialists no one could find anything wrong with me.  I have two severe headaches a week sometimes more and find it hard to enjoy socialising and looking after my 20 month old son.  I havent found anything that works other than avoiding air con but it can be very hard to do especially in Queensland.  I cannot give up my job as I need to work and the air con environment is inevitable.  I find a little relief though from drinking hot drinks and keeping my scarf on around my neck and trying to get into the humidity as often as possible. Its good to be able to talk about it though.  
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Avatar universal
i am very sensitive to air conditioner whenever i sit in for more than 5 minutes my body temp fallls down suddenly and i feel like i have forgotten every thing what i was doing and why am i there mostly these things are followed up by depression..i live in a room where ther are 3-4 airtel 4g towers installed just above my head.does this has anything to do with my problem
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Avatar universal
Consult with a  dentist to make sure you do not have leaky Amalgam. Since there is mercury in it . If mercury is in your system you can have all the symptoms you described.
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Avatar universal
I've had this problem for about 10 years and have found no help from medical establishment. There is no any operation and all for this. I also use a nasal spray, called Otrivine Menthol Nasal Spray. It works in few minutes and lasts up-to 12 hours. you can try it.
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Avatar universal
i was running and air condition was on next day i wake up with  back pain fever I am having hard time to breath when i try to exercises its been a week and not I am not getting better  should i see a doctor or give somedays. in the meantime what kind of medication should i take over the counter to ease the pain  please help thank you
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Avatar universal
i was running and air condition was on next day i wake up with  back pain fever I am having hard time to breath when i try to exercises its been a week and not I am not getting better  should i see a doctor or give somedays. in the meantime what kind of medication should i take over the counter to ease the pain  please help thank you
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Avatar universal
I would like to know makeup of the tablets you are taking so I might match here.   Thanks for the information.   Very few people have anything positive to at least try.
Thank you, and good luck
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Avatar universal
thank you so much! does the baking soda remedy help for throat inflamation (soreness)? and also my soft pallet becomes itchy and painful, what can i do for that? constantly sip something warm? covering myself with a jacket is not helping at all and I'm too shy to cover my head with a scarf (to prevent cold air from entering my ears). and does turmeric in water produce same healing effects like baking soda in water?
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7471685 tn?1393400778
i dont understand what you are saying.
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Avatar universal
Recently i am trying Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate) 1/2 or 1/4 teaspoon dissolved in water; sometimes twice a day, sometimes just once a day.
this self-treatment with baking soda is helping me be less sensitive to allergens, but it has completely gotten rid of my sensitivity to cold air outdoors or indoors.
My hypothesis is that our blood pH is out of balance. the cause could be our diet (too much acidifying foods, not enough alkalizing food [like green vegetables and fruits), or it could be a metabolic disease, or your kidneys have given up trying to compensate our acidic blood state. I believe an acid blood state exacerbates our allergies and makes us sensitive to cold. It is just a hypothesis, but baking soda has worked miracles for me.

I hope this helps someone out there. I know how miserable life can be when you always feel cold and feeling like you have a perpetual cold (the flu).

once again, 1/2 to 1/4 teaspoon or tablespoon of baking soda daily until you feel better, then you can skip one day, or not, depending on how you feel.

one more thing, do some research into alkalizing food and acidifying foods.
one natural way of bringing your blood pH to neutral levels (rather than acidic levels) is by eating more alkalizing foods; and what a surprise that alkalizing foods are fruits and vegetables (the ones we skip in our meals).
HINT: meats make our blood acidic, balance it with some dark green veggies.

Ps: next time you go to the doctor ask "them" to test your blood pH. you may have a metabolic problem that brings your blood down to an acidic state.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am not a doctor !
but my frustration with my condition was so great that i decided to investigate it myself, by going to nursing school. so i have some understanding of how the body works. and now i found a treatment for myself. i hope this helps others out there.
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Avatar universal
Hi
I accidentally came across the description of your problems and it made me think of mastocitosis, a chronic disease with very similar symptoms. Have you considerede having it?
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Avatar universal
To test this you could try (but why would you?) hot showers for a few days. If the symptoms come back full force, then you know that the positive effect of cold showers is not resistance but pore closure.  If the symptoms remain muted, then resistance may be the correct understanding of the positive effect.  
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Avatar universal
Perhaps, the cold showers helped because they close/shrink the pores on your skin, and then the skin does not absorb as much stuff from the environment you are in.
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