Incense

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Hi all,

For the last two Sundays, I have been going to a TLM in Milwaukee. For the last two Sundays, I have gotten sick almost immediately after Mass.

I think it is the incense that makes me sick (headaches, nausea, etc…). Is there such a thing as having an allergic reaction to the incense? Does anyone else here have the same problem?

Thanks!
 
This site explains how incense is made. In regard to the safety of people working in the factory, it says:
There are no safety hazards to employees, but there is a considerable risk to those with allergies. Potential employees are warned that the natural components of the sticks and the fragrances may cause allergic reactions, and some find they are unable to work in the factory because of this consideration.
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If you are having a problem due to allergies, you may want to go to Low Mass, where there will be no incense used.
 
uwwhitewater84 said:
Hi all,

For the last two Sundays, I have been going to a TLM in Milwaukee. For the last two Sundays, I have gotten sick almost immediately after Mass.

I think it is the incense that makes me sick (headaches, nausea, etc…). Is there such a thing as having an allergic reaction to the incense? Does anyone else here have the same problem?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Not all incense is created equal. Some scents make me rather nauseous because they’re too flowery (some perfumes do the same thing). Others I could have burning for hours because I enjoy them so much. Some types are more likely to provoke allergic reactions or asthma while others are designed to be almost hypo-allergenic. When I’m ordering for my parish I try to get the lightest scent the distributor has. Not too many people complain when we burn it.

I must say though that when my daughter was an altar server she couldn’t be there when they used incense because it always triggered an asthma attack. When I knew incense would be used, I made sure she had her inhaler with her and we sat near the back of the church where we wouldn’t get as much of it.
 
uwwhitewater84 said:
Hi all,

For the last two Sundays, I have been going to a TLM in Milwaukee. For the last two Sundays, I have gotten sick almost immediately after Mass.

I think it is the incense that makes me sick (headaches, nausea, etc…). Is there such a thing as having an allergic reaction to the incense? Does anyone else here have the same problem?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Try taking a generic benedryl tablet before the next Mass and see if that helps. If it does, it’s likely the incense.
 
Most Roman Catholic parishes get a type of incense that creates a lot of smoke, and it isn’t uncommon for people to leave the church choking and gasping. The type of charcoal can also make a difference. Most Eastern parishes get a type of incense that creates a strong smell, then they use enough of it to get a lot of smoke. It is uncommon for people to have allergic reactions.

I would suggest ordering some good quality incense and donating it to the church. Ask Father about his preference on smell first, as they can be very picky. I recommend these places.

Holy Transfiguration Monastery
or
Mount Sinai Monastery
 
Woodstock said:
Most Roman Catholic parishes get a type of incense that creates a lot of smoke, and it isn’t uncommon for people to leave the church choking and gasping. The type of charcoal can also make a difference. Most Eastern parishes get a type of incense that creates a strong smell, then they use enough of it to get a lot of smoke. It is uncommon for people to have allergic reactions.

I would suggest ordering some good quality incense and donating it to the church. Ask Father about his preference on smell first, as they can be very picky. I recommend these places.

Holy Transfiguration Monastery
or
Mount Sinai Monastery
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice! I’m not a member of that parish, so I don’t feel like I should approach the priest to ask him about incense.

The incense that is used at the church I am a member of still gives me a headache, but doesn’t make me sick. Only then, it is used on special days like Easter and Christmas.
 
There is a particular brand of incense, Gloria, that is supposed to be hypoallerginic and non-choking.

You can find it on line.
 
uwwhitewater84 said:
Thanks for the advice! I’m not a member of that parish, so I don’t feel like I should approach the priest to ask him about incense.

The incense that is used at the church I am a member of still gives me a headache, but doesn’t make me sick. Only then, it is used on special days like Easter and Christmas.
Click to expand...
Does this other parish offer a Low Mass? Low Mass in the EF does not have incense. If that is available, you might want to try it.
 
Yes, it is possible to have a reaction to incense. As much as I love it I always sneeze afterward. I also remember hearing one of our priests say about someone being allergic to incense.
 
Types of incense traditionally used in Latin Rite parishes (particularly French incense) often contain wood chips or shavings, which smolder and create an acrid after-aroma that can be irritating to those sensitive to woodsmoke. Most Eastern-style incense does not use wood shavings but only frankincense and other resins, producing more aroma and less smoke.
 
This happens frequently at my church. Many parishoners simply cannot tolerate the incense. My mom can’t take it, namely. She has to leave the sanctuary for a while, and even then, it’s hard for her. We use different types of incense every week. It does not bother me, personally, because I altar serve, and must hold the incenser while Fr. puts the incense in. It blows directly into my face! 😉

Before I got used to the incense, however, my eyes watered and my nose ran even when I wasn’t serving, and was simply exposed to it! These are exactly the same symptoms I experience with my normal daily allergies. I started taking Zyrtec around the same time we started using the incense at church, and it helped. Even when I forget to take the pill, the incense no longer bothers me. I think I may be immune to it, now.

It sounds to me like you have allergies.
 
My poor friend has very bad asthma and has to leave Mass and go outside and use her inhalers if they use incense, and she can’t go back in. Which embarrasses her because her husband is the Deacon! She never knowingly attends a Mass where incense is likely to be used, because she will have to leave.
 
Hi,
Different priests use different incense and I’ve just found one that makes me VIOLENTLY ill. I’ve attended 2 high masses at a friend’s church over the course of a year and both times I became violently ill, like flop-sweat and then feeling very nauseous. Honestly I’d be a fool to try it a third time unless I sit in the very back. I was told that the 2 priests here each get sick from the other’s insense and therefore use different ones—which in my opinion just shows you–they should stop using any at all. I can promise its not compelled to do so in the bible.
 
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