Light House Denver – Medinah has shared her experience of living with a rare and unusual condition that has significantly impacted her life over the past few years. Whenever she goes outside, people nearby start coughing and sneezing. This condition, known as People Allergic To Me (PATM), is not yet officially recognized as a medical condition. Though there have been some reports documenting similar cases.
“I am the allergen,” Medinah stated in an interview with Sky News on Tuesday, December 24, 2024. She spent an entire year researching her symptoms online before discovering a support group for people with PATM on social media. The name “PATM” was coined by members of this group.
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Initially, Medinah feared that she was imagining things or losing her mind. “I thought, yes, I’m going crazy now. But after a year of witnessing constant reactions from people around me, I realized this couldn’t just be in my head. I’m not crazy; I’ve seen it happen repeatedly,” she explained.
Her condition has led many individuals with PATM to isolate themselves to avoid triggering reactions in others. Some sufferers have reported experiencing severe mental health challenges, including suicidal tendencies, loss of social connections, job resignations. Also significant financial strain from seeking medical solutions.
Last year, researchers in Japan conducted the first cohort study on this condition, suggesting a possible physical cause. Professor Yoshika Sekine from Tokai University led the study, which compared skin-emitted gases of 20 individuals with PATM to a control group of 24 people.
The study revealed that people with PATM emit a unique and highly specific pattern of skin gases. Certain chemicals released at higher levels may trigger respiratory symptoms in individuals exposed to them. One such chemical is toluene, commonly used in manufacturing explosives, paint, and plastics, as well as a solvent in some types of paint thinners and adhesives. The study found that PATM sufferers emit toluene at levels 39 times higher than the control group.
Other chemicals identified included sulfur compounds and hexanol. The research team noted that chemicals emitted by PATM individuals could cause chemical intolerance in those nearby.
This discovery provides a scientific basis for understanding PATM, though researchers need to conduct more studies to confirm the findings and develop treatments. Meanwhile, individuals like Medinah continue to face the challenges of a condition that isolates them and evokes skepticism from others.
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