Are you sure its the lighting that causes your reaction?

It may be that you are sensitive to some of the products on the shelves.

Or the materials used to produce the products.

Just a thought.

ML

Edited for typo

This post was edited by maddielee on Tue, Feb 18, 14 at 9:12

Most walmarts have skylights in addition to fluorescent lighting so that they can save on power. Could it be the brightness from natural day light?

Here is a link that might be useful: walmart and energy conservation

Maddie, you're right, it could be anything, but it happens in other stores but nowhere as bad as Walmart. By the time I leave WM, it's like I've had a severe allergy attack sans sneezing. My nose doesn't itch or anything, it just runs rampant like my eye's.

Annie, our WM doesn't have the skylights. It's a mini-super center. Never heard of one until it was built in the next town over. I've noticed in the large super centers, the store is a lot brighter but it's been so long since I've been in one, so I don't remember if my eye's were affected.

When I did a google search the fluorescent lighting was a big deal, but no one mentioned watery eyes.

Fabric stores do the same thing to me. I think it's the chemicals that makes the fabric stiff. Some stores are worse than others.

I have that problem at Home Goods and Walmart. I wonder if it's dust allergies, I doubt the air is very clean with all the products and people. I can only stay a half hour with sun glasses on and then I have to leave. Try taking an allergy pill before you go and see if it helps. That would solve the problem.

Yaya, I think I've done that before and it didn't work. I'll try it again though.

I told the checkout lady that I wasn't contagious, just having an allergy attack, that's how bad it was. lol

I had a friend who was the same. Her worst reaction was in book stores. She did go to the doctor and found breathing a problem for various contents of paper products. I never really understood what the reaction was since there wasn't one at home, or if she was reading a book, etc. Perhaps the overwhelming stock in a store created far more of a problem.

I can't go into stores with these lights and stay there for long because of my eyes. But that is another story.

Golddust, I was going to say the same thing. I have had to leave some fabric shops. As far as I know, I have no allergies but there is something in the fabric stores that drives me crazy. I wonder if it is the sizing they use. The smaller and more fully packed the shop, the worse it is for me.

Another time I bought a huge box of paper towels. I had a sports car and had to open the box and pack the rolls everywhere. I got in the car and had to jump right out. I couldn't breathe. Had to drive home with the windows open.

In the office where I used to work there were light fixtures two fluorescent bulbs. Some people asked that one bulb be removed because the lighting bothered them. I think it is a harsh light, and I don't like it,but it never caused me discomfort.

dedtired and others,

You may be sensitive to

methylchloroisothiazolinone

Read more here at TRUE test. I had this done by my dermatologist and found out exactly what I am allergic to so that I can avoid my triggers. It is really nice to know what is the cause of one's problems.

Here is a link that might be useful: TRUE test

Julie, interesting. So far my sensitivities are not enough of a bother to me to pursue any testing. I no longer sew, so I don't go into fabric stores often. For some reason, upholstery and drapery fabrics don't bother me. Maybe it's because shops that sell them tend to have sample books rather than shelves full of bolts of fabrics. Who knows!

It's funny. I had that TRUE test done about 10 years ago. For the test, these "stickers" with common allergens are stuck to your back for 48 hours to see what you react to.

The one spot for my worst reaction will still react today if that trigger is around me. It is pretty fascinating. And I found out that the preservative used in every shampoo at ordinary stores uses that chemical for its preservative! So I get shampoo at whole foods/drugstore.com and know I am OK.

Oak, I had a similar reaction when I went to the newer Walmart a couple of weeks ago--I have only been to it a handful of times. It is dark in the same area you talk about, and my eyes water enough to make my vision blurry in the other side! It's the strangest thing. I won't go to that one again, it was a waste of time----couldn't find anything because of the weird arrangement of isles! The older one is easy if I really have to go to a Walmart, which I'd rather not. Sometimes it's just handy if I'm driving by...
I had a friend that had dizziness due to lighting in the hospital cafeteria. I kind of feel that way in Walmart.

I knew it wasn't just me. lol. I only go there if I need to stock up on dog food, etc. Usually I go to our local grocer who has the best meat ever. Walmart meat? Ugh.

On a side note, I have pinkeye now! I can't win for losing. lol. I caught it from my granddaughter. Second time.

Your granddaughter is Bob Costas?

LOL. It's the new trend. Before I was a granny, I never got sick except for the usual colds and flu, and that wasn't often. Now I get Bronchitis twice a year, I've had pinkeye twice in two years & Norovirus. In fact, I've had the last three illnesses since Dec. 23rd!

No one warned me of the side effects of being a granny. :)

I work at a Walmart and as soon as I go through the second set of doors my eyes start to flood and then the runny nose. In the first hour my eyes don't seem to be watering asmuch, but all day long my nose is keeps running.

Yes! all the time in most grocery stores and in cold weather

Yes! in cold grocery stores especially

Yes, was there today and my eyes watered so bad i had my shirt dabbing up the tears, only happens at super walmarts.

YES everytime i go