Does anyone know why everytime I read an old book (secondhand), I get itches all over my body. It doesn't go away, I suppose I must be allergic to something, but what ?I have tried every anti-histamine on the market- no help. I havn't read a seconhand book for year, and bought one from a 2nd hand dealer the other day, and thought I'd chance it...bad move. Help!
It sounds more like a psychological problem to me, it isn't really possible to be allergic to books in general as they may be made from differing types of paper and different inks used to print them. The allergy would then show up when handling leaflets and newspapers as well.
If the books that cause this itching were all very old and from the same source then it is (barely) feasible you have an allergy (sensitivity) to the dust contained within the old books but that would be more likely to present as breathing difficulty.
There are those tiny little brown insects in old books though, I don't know what they're called. Old books make my nose and throat feel like they're closing up.
Thanks everyone, guess it could be psychological... but I also know what you mean about the little brown bugs in old books, notafish, perhaps there are others that are not visible to the naked eye.. am going to look at the home remedies for itching now.Cheers!