2009 3:41 AM

Dear Dr. Gott:I itched and developed a rash on my body to the point that I could not wear any clothing that touched my skin. I went to an allergist, who didn't help me. I then went to a dermatologist at the Mayo Clinic in Florida. That doctor performed seven biopsies, all of which were negative. He even had every dermatologist at the clinic examine my body to see if anyone had any idea about what my rash could be. Unfortunately, no one there did.

While there, I asked twice to have an allergy test for detergent, but both times I was told there was no point because everyone, regardless of whether they are allergic or not, will test positive for it.

One day a friend came to visit and brought me a book on alternative health. The book (I don't remember the name) recommended using Borax to deodorize clothes rather than detergents. I started doing this and within a very short time, my rash started healing. I canceled my next doctor visit and haven't gone back. My dermatologist did call me to ask how I was getting along, and when I told him what I had done and the results I had seen, all he said was "amazing."

To this day, I cannot use anything that is considered a detergent. I also cannot use pre-wash treatments either. If I need to pre-treat a stain, I use bleach or hand soap and water before washing in the Borax.

I figure I'm not the only one and hope that my experience will help others.

Dear Reader: Borax has been around for many years and used as a detergent booster. It is primarily composed of the mineral boron. It is fairly inexpensive, readily available in most major grocery stores, and safe when used according to package recommendations.

Thank you for writing to share your experience. I have printed your letter in the hopes that others may benefit as well.

Additional note from OFC - Borax is also known as Sodium Borate, an ingredient in our Laundry Soap and All Purpos Cleaner.

Here is article we came across on the internet that you might find interesting.

Is your house making you sick?

If you suddenly find yourself sick more than before, take a good, long look at your environment especially if you and your family recently moved, or just moved in together.

Here are some tips on how to find out what's lurking inside your home and how to make a change that's better for you and the environment:

PAINT

- Beware: Two things: lead and toxins. If your house was built before 1978, your walls could be full of lead - paint, that is. Chipping or peeling paint can be ingested by infants and children, which may lead to serious health problems. Also, paints and finishes release low-level toxic emissions into the air, even years after you applied it. These toxic emissions are called VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. They're so toxic you can smell them. If you've ever painted a room, you know what they smell like.

- Take Care: Lead in paint was banned in 1978 and is no longer sold. If you're worried about lead, have your home tested and then seal any traces of lead paint with a fresh coat of lead-free paint. Until recently, VOCs were essential to the performance of the paint. Now, low- and no-VOC paints are available from mainstream and eco-friendly companies nationwide. For cost-effective, low-VOC wall color, try a shade from Benjamin Moore's Eco Spec and Aura paint lines.

CARPET

- Beware: Chemicals in your carpets. Carpets and carpet cushions can contain VOCs and emit formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas. According to the EPA, formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. Health effects include eye, nose and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; and severe allergic reactions.

- Take Care: Look for carpets made from natural fibers with little or no chemical treatment. Shaw Floors sells a variety of eco-friendly colors and styles for both wall-to-wall and area carpeting. Also, purchase carpets with natural-fiber backing that's attached with less-toxic adhesives.

WOOD FLOORING

- Beware: Who knew even wood was toxic? Well, it's not the wood; it's the stain and finish. VOCs (here we go again) from solvents, such as mineral spirits and petroleum distillates, can cause allergic reactions, headaches and nausea.

- Take Care: Why cover a beautiful wood floor with toxic chemicals? Look for a low-VOC finish, available at most home improvement stores. If you're in the market for new flooring, consider bamboo. It costs less and is better for the environment compared to traditional wood flooring.

MATTRESSES

- Beware: Bugs and toxic chemicals. A typical-used mattress may have anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million bed mites inside, feeding on your dead skin cells and causing allergic reactions in some people. Many mattresses also contain flame-retardant chemicals known as PBDEs, which have accumulated in high levels in American blood and breast milk.

- Take Care: Dust mites hate hot water! By covering and protecting your mattress and washing all comforters, sheets and pillows in hot water every week, you'll get rid of those unwelcome visitors. Also, consider replacing your mattress with an organic cotton model or an affordable one from IKEA - they contain alternative flame-retardants that haven't raised any significant consumer health or environmental concerns.

---

DETOX YOUR HOME

10 easy things you can do today for pennies or less:

1. Clean your fabrics, drapes and rugs to eliminate dust, molds and pollens.

2. Open a window. Circulating air in the home ensures good ventilation.
3. Choose natural cleaning products to reduce toxins in the home.

4. Buy a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove dust mites, dust and dirt from your floors and carpets.

5. Keep your house clean and remove any piles of clutter that are collecting dust.

6. Go green with plants. They improve air quality by adding oxygen and removing carbon dioxide.

7. Replace or cover the plywood and MDF. Glues in cheaper woods can contain volatile toxins.

8. Make your house a smoke-free home. Who needs to breathe in toxic fumes?

9. Run computers in a well-ventilated area and shut them off when not in use. They release gaseous pollutants into the air the longer they run.

10. Think before you buy. Make a healthy home a priority every day.