Michael

Behr is a pretty good paint and enamel latex is the same price as latex at Home Depot.

sir_eccles

Have you considered that you may be allergic to other things as well as or instead of latex? Such as formaldehyde found in most manufactured chipboard furniture, also Chinese dry wall if your place got some renovations recently.

Bob

I've always been allergic to latex, it's not a new thing...you should see me after blowing up a couple of balloons

I've worked with formaldehyde based products before, as chipboard/MDF etc were cheap and did a lot of wood work stuff at uni, never had any problems with it. Our current place doesn't look like it's had any new dry wall put up.

I had this issue with paint before, where I used to work, was allergic to the stuff they used in the offices, so that was lovely.

scrubbedexpat097

So I guess condoms for BControl are out of the question then.....

Michael

Your problem probably has less to do with the brand of paint but instead of the type of paint used.

Ultra Flat:

Used for ceilings to give a very flat look. The flat look is due to the large amount of powder on the surface. Can't be washed since the powder will come off.

Flat

Commonly used in living areas to produce a flat finish on the walls. Less powder on the surface than ultra flat and you need to be careful about washing the walls since the powder will be removed.

Egg Shell

Used for the same areas as flat but with a slightly shinier look. Less powder on the surface and easier to wash than flat.

Satin

Used in kitchens and bathrooms when someone prefers a slightly less shine than semi-gloss. Surface is fairly hard with little powder on the surface and can be easily washed,

Semi-Gloss

The vast majority of homes use semi-gloss in the kitchen and bathrooms as well as trim and doors throughout the house and has a shinny look. Easily washable with almost no powder on the surface.

Gloss

Some prefer gloss for trim to give a very shinny look. Occasionally it is also seen in kitchens and bathrooms. There shouldn't be any powder on the surface making it easily washable.

Therefore you should probably use eggshell instead of flat for your living areas. If you want to take a risk of having shinny walls in your living area, use satin and that should solve the problem.

Enamel may help to seal the powder into the surface but the type will likely seal the surface much better.

Jerseygirl

I used to work with a girl who was allergic to condoms...her honeymoon was a disaster...she could hardly walk or sit down.

nethead

Thought that was normal part of honeymoon latex allergy or not.

sir_eccles

Ok, I only mentioned it because I had a friend recently found out all his skin issues were due to formaldehyde and he suddenly realized how many things had it. Stay press shirts, skin products, furniture, huge long list of everything.

Bob

Certainly gives a new meaning to what's that in your pants

Dewey

Benjamin Moore's Natura line are VOC free...but if money were no object my wife would want Farrow & Ball.

Bomjeito

I swear by Behr. We just had our house painted in Sherwin Williams, and I'm not impressed. However, we got contractor's discount so only $15 a gallon. Not bad, but I do prefer Behr Eggshell. (Always stay away from flat paint, it never cleans up well and has a cheap finish.) Satin is too shiny, but Eggshell is just right for all rooms.