Here I am to share with you my PATM hell story that's been going on for almost 3 years.
Starting to notice those never ending coughs for the first time was a legit traumatic experience. From my college peers, from the people in public transportation. Led by their reactions, which included stares in the direction of my shoes, I assumed that they were issue. It is quite embarrassing to admit that, for a long time I was searching for the reasons why would my feet sweat to produce a gas that causes allergic reactions. I made all sorts of hopeless attempts to perfect the hygiene of my feet and to reduce sweating. That took all my energy and didn't help. The doctors I spoke to claimed that what I was saying wasn't possible, some suggested visiting a psychologist. I was terribly lost and confused.
Then finally I found this internet community. Finding out that I'm not alone in this was a great relief. Finding out everything else: no explanation and no cure, feels like a curse.
I still find myself more Patm free when I'm clean and with coconut oil put on. Sort of a placebo maybe.
The only thing that always helps in my case seems to be oxytocin!
I don't have much friends and I'm prone to anxiety, especially after Patm. When someone I trust is with me in public and, for instance, we have some genuine conversation, all the reactions stop. However, those are only occasional situations. Apart from that, there are better and worse days, and most of the times I can't quite determine why.
My family at first didn't react at all. Thanks to that oxytocin effect they didn't believe my story at first. Now some days they cough too.
Cigarette smokers have the worst reactions (my neighbours are giving me hell).
So, from my experience it could be some gas coming from the sweat, and sweating is increased when I'm nervous. But it could be something else. I try to be as positive as I can. But it isn't easy, and when it's fake it doesn't help.
What is so disheartening about this is that all our acquaintances know about our condition, but those who SHOULD actually help us know nothing about it. (I can't help obsessing over what anyone could think and judge, as they don't understand either.) We can't cure ourselves by random blind trials. Those who have some deep knowledge, if they tried, could. Official medicine should be concerned!