Breathing problems after Moroccan holiday

[Desparate36]

We travelled to Marrakech in July 2007.  Since our return to the UK (i.e. literally the day we got back from Morocco) we have suffered real breathing problems - sore and itchy eyes, throat, ears, nose etc, a feeling of congestion of upper lungs, difficulty swallowing, itchy skin and scalp.  We have had our house tested for damp/volatile organic compounds/dustmites, but have found nothing.  All four members of the family have been tested for allergies - no allergies found.  We even had the house fumigated and have tried moving out our sofa/piano/rugs etc but no change.  We switched to organic cleaning products/toileteries but still no change.  We have had all bedding and curtains and carpets cleaned.

We have since moved house and still have the problems.  I would be grateful if you could let me know if you have heard of this problem before.  In Morocco, we stayed at a hotel where there were lots of cats.  We then moved to another hotel where we had no problems.

We have no symptoms outside our house, so there must be something in our possessions, as the problem has followed us to our new house.  We have zero symptoms out of the house.  The problem is causing my children (girls aged 6 and 7) great discomfort, and I am very worried about their health, so I would be most grateful for any light you could cast on the matter

[National Jewish Health]

Your logic, and sleuthing leading to the conclusion that you all are reacting to something in your belongings is impressive.  That you have “zero symptoms” outside your present home suggests that the cause is not infectious or on your person; that is, not continuously on your bodies.  It is possible that whatever the cause, be it organic or inorganic, it could have been transferred to your home belongings, on your return from Morocco or present in an item shared by the 4 of you, such as a blow dryer.  Standard allergy testing would not rule-out allergy as a possible cause of your symptoms, since the allergen may remain untested.

Three consultants who might be able to help you sort this out would be:  
1) a local infectious disease specialist with a sub-specialty of travel medicine;
2) an occupational and environmental medicine specialist with a sub-specialty of allergy/pulmonary possibly with input from an industrial hygienist; or
3) a Moroccan physician, an allergist or environmental medicine specialist, who could possibly be located through a Moroccan medical society or public health department.

Good luck.