Woman's allergy affects ability to run business

A Westland supermarket owner is set to shut up shop because of a potentially fatal allergy to citronella.

Shona Jepson, 53, has run her Haast business for 12 years but her reaction to citronella, commonly used in insect sprays and often worn by her customers, made the job untenable.

For years Ms Jepson suffered headaches and wheezing on exposure to citronella but the symptoms have worsened and she can suffer anaphylactic shock.

"My whole nervous system just breaks down, and my adrenaline goes through the roof," she told the Otago Daily Times.

"When the doctor told me that I could have a stroke, I knew I had to get out."

Ms Jepson will follow her doctor's advice and leave the shop which she has failed to sell in five years of trying.

She planned to work voluntarily in the aged care sector in Dunedin.

"I can lock the doors and walk away, and I'll go while I still can."

- NZPA