[A/S] Allergies in general

["Richard McFarland" <estatewagons@xxxxxxx>]

 I so appreciate Chris's mentioning his allergic reaction to his trailer 
when he first bought it.  And I appreciate how he found a way to make it 
work for him!

I also appreciate Hunter asking what symptoms?

If I can pipe in from the side on this - I'd like to add a few thoughts here 
from the "allergic perspective"...

It is my experience (having had allergies all my life - and in particular - 
rather than having "grown into" my allergies as an adult...just the opposite 
happened...my allergies came back with a venegence (stronger) in my 40's.

I have to be careful when I mention the "allergy thing" in front of people 
as so many people who do not have allergies - have no concept and 
(sometimes) no tolerance for what you're talking about. In fact they don't 
need to in one way....but on the other hand I think it's great when people 
can allow for other perspectives...and particularly an aspect that is in 
fact "felt" physically by those afflicted with allergies.

When it comes to trailers - there are so many things to consider when one 
has allergies - from the glues and fumes that go into new construction 
(something that makes the older Airstreams interesting...as like an old 
car...they tend to have off-gassed and calmed down) - to molds and 
mildrews - to the fabrics and foams (synthetics with various smells) to the 
smells of chemicals in a holding tank to the smells of propane to the smells 
(residual particularly) of smoke and fabric softners and air fresheners on 
and on.  (I get nervous just at the scent of fabric softener...as I break 
out into a rash that lasts for two weeks if I wear clothes that have been 
washed in softner...)

Something else to remember is that it's possible that no two people are 
quite the same when it comes to symptoms and reactions - so keep an open 
mind to the possibilites.  For those of us with allergies - we aren't crazy 
when we talk about it....we are just specific to what we personally know.

Now - for those that don't have allergies - well - they are lucky.  But when 
it comes time to sell a rig - it is something to at least allow for when 
prospective people come to shop and look.  I know if I step into a trailer 
that smells for one reason or another...unless it's the only one of it's 
type ever made or so cheap that it will pay to gut it and re-do it....I'll 
simply turn around and walk away.

So - allergies can apply to many different people - some to a nose or 
system - and some to the practical side when thinking about resale - and 
probably some other aspect I have not even thought of!

RL