Wood smoke

Hi, @ghysla, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

I personally have the same reaction, so I had to tell my husband I don't want to build a fire pit in our current home like we had in a previous one. We will need a smokeless device, if we do that.

It took years to figure out I had this allergy/reaction to smoke from a fire pit, probably cause I didn't want to be at friends' homes, camping, etc.

How is your asthma triggered with wood smoke? What type of head pain do you get with it, and does it last long?

@ghysla, Yes, there can be fungus on wood, as well mold, but it is usually the aromatics (oils) in wood and the particulates in the smoke that trigger reactions in my very allergic family. The exception was back when we heated with wood, and my daughter and I would react to the mold on the oak sitting in the woodbox beside the stove.
I am fortunate to tolerate most outdoor fires unless the air is heavy, holding the smoke down, or if the wind blows smoke in my face. We use a Mexican chimney on the patio - it has an enclosed firepit and the chimney on top directs the smoke upwards. And we don't burn oak

@ghysla
I hate, and so does my lungs and sinuses, smoke of any kind. When we have burning at constructions sites I can smell, and also start coughing, even when miles away. I can smell cigarette smoke a block away. I cannot be around wood burning fireplaces as sinuses and throat get irritated. I don't even like the smell of ash in a wood burning fireplace.

I too get headache, sinuses go crazy, and start coughing. I try to wear a mask but smoke and smell seems to come right through so try to stay inside.

For those without the sensitivity you do not know how lucky you are.

@lisalucier
I get severe migraines with vomiting and vertigo. My neurologist said they closely resemble stroke symptoms and changed my treatment. I get violently ill even if the fireplace hasn’t been used in a while. Smoke permeates furniture, draperies, even drywall and beams. I have to be so careful when renting airbnbs. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had to involve them over disputes with hosts that even after being very clear about my “allergy” will withhold that there’s a wood stove in the back room or that they just concerted the fireplace to gas this season. It’s unbelievable. When the Canadian wildfires are going my asthma goes nuts and my migraines are constant. I have to stay inside. I empathize with your condition. Others don’t usually understand and that doesn’t help

@sueinmn
I’m happy to hear you can still enjoy an outside fire. I miss that the most. Nothing like a fire at night on a chilly fall evening or waking up early and having coffee by the fire alone while the rest of the world still slumbers
Thank you for that information it’s very helpful 🙂

@jc76
Good to hear I’m not the only one with hypersensitivity to smells. I can smell a cigarette or fire pit from a block away it seems. I have walked out of small stores of another customer reeked of cigarettes. I am a former smoker and was hypnotized to quit so that compounds my reaction to the cancer stick. The woodsmoke though is devastating. The horrific migraine and affect on my breathing even if the fireplace hasn’t been used in a year is enough to make me sit out of family vacations.

Tagging some members from different groups around Mayo Clinic Connect who may have some experiences with reactions to wood smoke or who may have done some research on this that they can share with you, @ghysla: @dinis @spectrumcyclist @vcs @kkubsky @pled @scoop @pweg.

I don't see anyone here stating that they have been tested in order to get a specific diagnosis for the various allergens. A competent doctor who specializes in allergies might be an excellent route to take. Just saying.