I’m wondering if anyone knows of a medication that can be taken to lessen the impact of the hypersensitivity on my 15 year old. It’s really starting to have a negative impact on him as he moves forward into the world. Any suggestoins would be most appreciated.
sensitive sense of smell
That’s an interesting question. What happens when he smells things? I’m said to have a more sensitive sense of smell than some others but that doesn’t cause me problems. Every once in a while I find myself trying not to ‘lose my lunch’ in certain situations - I couldn’t ever be a nurse working in a hospital for instance - but my sensitive sense of smell doesn’t cause me problems as a teacher.
How does your son’s sense of smell cause him problems? What can’t he do as a consequence of it?
That would help to know to best consider his problem but without that, the only suggestion I could make is one from history. In the past, when bad smells everywhere were the norm from the general lack of sanitation and sewers, some people would carry perfumed handerchiefs which they’d hold to their noses at trying times. Others would carry oranges studded with cloves and hold those near to them to lessen the smells around them.
Re: hypersensitivity to smells
My boy had moderate SID. At the time he was completely non-verbal, so we had to fly by the seat of our pants. We didn’t notice any strong reactions to smells per se, but we saw lots of reactions to sounds and textures. He received sensory integration therapy for about 2 years through our local Easter Seals (and I can never say enough good things about them, of all the “professionals” in my town, they were the sole bright light). This was primarily brushing and deep pressure. His progress was slow, until we had him checked for metals and found he was very high for lead. After just 2 rounds of chelation his aversions to certain sounds and textures had dissapated to the point of being inconsequential.
I am not saying this is the answer for your own child, but it may be something you wish to investigate.
Good luck to you!
hypersensitivity to smells and nutrition
My 6-year-old daughter is also hypersensitive to smells and receives OT for sensory integration issues. We observed that after we provided vitamin supplements, including an Omega-3 fish oil compound called Coromega, that she seemed to change. Instead of saying “oh gross yucky” when chicken curry was cooking, she’d say, “hmmh, smells good.” We were amazed at the almost immediate change. Don’t know if that will help you, but apparently hypersensitivity to smells (as well as picky eating—a preference for bland foods) is partly a feature of nutritional deficiencies.
You might want to check with an occupational therapist. Hypersensitivity to smells can be an indication of sensory integration disorder. OT’s have a variety of techniques to normalize sensitivities.
Nancy