Your Turn
Every year about this time my throat starts to get a little sore and my eyes a little dry. That means I also know the winds are about to shift and the Santa Ana winds are going to start. For some reason I have some type of allergy with something in the air from the desert. It got me thinking though, what are any of you allergic to, whether it be food or pollen and also if you have any stories to share about your allergies.
I'm allergic to chocolate. I'm 36 and I've never eaten it!
ReplyDeleteNothing interesting or exciting, no food allergies that I am aware of but I get seasonal (spring and fall) allergies, I've been congested for the past 3 weeks and likely will be until it snows :(
ReplyDeleteI have been tested and I'm allergic to grass pollen, cats and mold. Allegra is my friend.
I used to have this giant printer next to my desk that everyone used on our floor in my office.
ReplyDeleteI kept getting sick and our office manager told me I was taking too much time off.
I went to an allergist and I am severely allergice to dust and got a note from the Dr. to have the printer moved. The office manager was annoyed with me but had to do it! :0)
I'm allergic to bee/wasp stings - When I was a kid I was stung at my cousin's wedding and had to be taken from the wedding to the ER.
ReplyDeletealso have the usual seasonal allergies. Nothing earthshaking.
Seasonal allerges and MOLD. I scored off the chart on the test for mold.
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ReplyDeleteMold in some places, otherwise I live in FL and never have any problems.
ReplyDeleteIt is one of nature's biggest cruelties that I am allergic to any animal with fur or hair. Many of you know I am a vegetarian, I donate money to animal groups and volunteer at several animal fundraising events throughout the year (as long as my task is with the public or administrative). I myself have three cats and use a steroid to control my asthma so that I can live with them. I have to take antihistamines every time I go over to someone's house that owns an animal and I can smell the presence of a horse from about 10 blocks - no joke. Ah well. They're still worth it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, when I was around 30, I developed a random allergy to any fruit from "pollen bearing trees" (according to my doc), which is apparently an allergy that is becoming more common all over North America. So now I can no longer eat any fruit with a skin you pierce (apples, plums, peaches, nectarines, cherries, etc.) without getting itchy lips, throat and feeling like I'm kind of choking. For some reason, when the fruit is cooked (like in a PIE), the protein that I'm allergic to is broken down and I can eat it. More pie for me, please.
sanTana enty!-xo
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ReplyDeleteWow, RQ, that's awful.
ReplyDeleteSince I live in SoCal I pretty much suffer from allergies 24/7. I would wager that I can sneeze more times in a row than anybody.
I'll skip the stories about having to blow my nose in public after I've sneezed 25-30 times.
I have slight seasonal allergies, and may have slight allergies to animals though nothing has been tested. I've noticed that my eyes and nose run when I brush my cat and dog.
ReplyDeleteA few weeks ago, I was looking after my uncle's labrador and after brushing her I couldn't stop rubbing my eye. After a couple minutes I looked in a mirror to discover that the sclera (white part) was puffy and filled with fluid; however, it didn't hurt and wasn't particularly uncomfortable. I waited another ten minutes before checking on my eye again and discovered that the sclera was beginning to swell over the bottom on my iris, which freaked me out enough to call a doctor. They told me to leave it alone for another half hour, and to come in if the swelling hadn't subsided. Luckily it went down and I didn't have any problems, but it was creepy.
I'm allergic to mosquito and flea bites. I know that everyone has a reaction, but when a mosquito bites me, the bite swells to the the diameter of 50 cent piece. When a flea bites me, I develop sores that bleed. It's weird because when my dog gets fleas, I know immediately because I get sores up and down my arms and legs.
ReplyDeleteI also have developed an allergy to alcohol. Really. My face itches when I drink and I've even had mild facial swelling. This has led to my taking Tagamet (which is a histamine blocker) if I want to have a drink. I don't drink all that often--maybe once or twice a month--but I'll be very sad if the Tagamet stops working and I have to quit altogether...
@Green Wave Gal - my heart broke the instant I saw your post. Much like Enty's would had you posted you were allergic to bacon.
ReplyDeleteFurry animals and MSG. Which means I can't get cuddles from a sweet dog or cat (I can't afford a hypo yet) and I can't get really good Asian food, or eat flavored chips, or have any other of the fun foods. I make up for it all with alchohol and chocolate.
I am allergic to coconut. Found out when I was in Europe (alone) and ate a macaroon. Good thing I had the foresight to get travellers insurance.
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say, I've never been in a Thai restaurant.
Very allergic to cats, but much more allergic to mice. I went into my parents' storage shed one day and got out all the old toys to give to the Salvation Army, and kind of admired some of them, for nostalgia etc. Twenty minutes later I had hives on my neck and my eyes swelled shut. Worst reaction I'd ever had. Now I know if someone has mice in their house.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the opposite of allergic? Whatever it is, that's what I am to dogs and cats. I swear, bury my face in a furry friend and any congestion clears right up.
ReplyDelete@green wave gal, how did you find out that you're allergic to chocolate if you've never had it?
ReplyDeleteI'm allergic to everything. Animal fur, alcohol, chocolate, peanuts, potatoes, onions, bread (something in it), dairy (especially sour cream), olives, fish, all pollen, California redwood trees (not a joke; found in my allergy test), eggs, poultry, feathers, and on and on. I survive on allergy pills.
ReplyDeleteI'm terribly allergic to poison ivy and poison oak, and gladly received a shot in the ass that was crammed with steroids about fifteen years ago. The doctor who administered said shot mentioned how mangoes (the skin or the pit of the fruit) are in the same family as those plants, so I've never, ever even gotten near one. I hear they're delicious, though. That's okay. I'll pass.
ReplyDelete@figgy: that's weird! I feel the same way about wasabi. it might as well be sudafed. Works just as well.
ReplyDeleteI have the same pollen allergy as rocket queen. A family friend always used to make me applesauce for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI have very bad seasonal allergies but started getting the weekly shots about 5 years ago and they have helped immensely.
Penicillin and sulfa are out for me as I've had reactions to both. Dr. had a real fun time trying to find an antibiotic that I could take when I was nursing my daughter!
My oddest allegy is to band aide adhesive. No patches for me. I had to take my own paper tape when I got a tattoo.
Seasonal allergies. Can be pretty bad when the grasses really start coming in in May/early June.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think about it when my husband and I scheduled our first trip to Europe (Greece and Italy) for May, 14 years ago. I became very familiar with pharmacies.
What is also bad for me (and was bad on that trip) is cigarette smoke. I am allergic to it 'fresh' and the residue. I can't even talk to a smoker (who's recently smoked) for very long or my nose ends up completely stuffed up. I remember the allergist reporting the allergy to me many years ago and then explaining that they couldn't treat that within my allergy shot (no longer do those) because cigarette smoke is known to be bad for you (duh!).
@redhotpepper - I too, have an allergy to the glue on most band aids. The only brand I can wear without developing a rash is 3M (try their foam band aids - they're really good).
ReplyDeleteI took shots for 11 years as a kid and they really didn't help, so I stopped, and as I've gotten older, I seem to have outgrown most of them, although I am still severely allergic to cats. And penicillin. But have developed some new, strange ones.
I had an allergic reaction to the internal stitches when I had my gall bladder out, which wasn't pretty. Take my word.
And since last summer, whenever I get a bite, it turns into hives.
I'm severely allergic to shellfish. Even eating foods that have been prepared next to shellfish can cause me to break out in hives. It's happened before that a restaurant has prepared a shellfish dish next to my dish, and I ended up covered. If I ever ate one, I'd end up in anaphylatic shock, so I try to keep an epi pen on me. I tend not to eat any fish, just in case.
ReplyDeleteI also found out I was allergic to corn pollen when I moved to Indiana for college. Fall used to be hell, but since moving to NZ, no seasonal allergies at all.
post nasal drainage is a food group
ReplyDeleteI am blessed to not be allergic to anything.....not even poison ivy.
ReplyDeleteI discovered I was severely allergic to peanuts when I was carried out of my first job on a stretcher. Oddly enough, I'd eaten them the day before without anything happening. My allergist said, "Sometimes your body's just had enough."
ReplyDeleteI discovered I was severely allergic to celery---that's right: celery---when I ate some and went out for a walk. It's the exercise in combination with the celery that's the problem. Very weird, I know.
On the other hand, I did outgrow my childhood allergy to cats in my 30s....
I thought that I would add an allergy that a buddy of mine. He is allergic to poultry. He can't have any chicken, turkey or duck. I've always thought that this was a strange allergy.
ReplyDeleteI had an artificial disc put in back in May 2005; I was 4 days shy of being 29. Felt great for a couple months, but then I started having unexplained pains throughout my body. I had almost every test imaginable, went from specialist to specialist, and everyone just thought it was in my head.
ReplyDeleteI won't tell you the long journey I had to take to literally solve the problem through my own research & stubbornness, but eventually it lead me to believe I might be having a reaction to the artificial disc. I was lucky enough to find the one medical group in the country who does that kind of testing, and it came back positive. I can wear nickel jewelry, but my body was attacking itself because it was reacting to the nickel in the implant and was basically rejecting it. It was an internal "allergy", basically. I had to go through a very high risk surgery to have it removed & then had the area fused.
The surgeon who removed the artificial disc believed the allergy to be real, but my original surgeon thought it was a joke. Other docs that knew me felt the same way. But eventually a blood work proved them wrong. When I had the first surgery, my platelets were normal. They slowly plummeted over time, and I had 9,000 platelets when they removed the implant - I basically had none. My body had attacked/destroyed them all. But 3 months after removing the artificial disc, my platelet levels were perfectly normal and have been ever since.
I'm told that I'm one of the best documented cases in the world of an implant reaction; largely because of the records I kept, along with a journal, plus the length of time I spent suffering which therefore allows researchers to see the deterioration and how things progressed.
I feel silly posting this long thing, but I do have a reason. Orthopedic implants that are not made from titanium (the one metal that no one seems to have a reaction to) are becoming very common and will continue to be as the population ages. One thing that helped me diagnose what was going on was that I was able to track down research that was showing that people were having similar reactions to my own when it came to knee & hip implants. The difference between their cases & mine were that they were diagnosed within months. For me it took 3-1/2 years.
The group that has done a lot of research on this topic & that gave me the test/answers I needed can be found here: www.orthopedicanalysis.com. So if someone you know might be having issues after an implant surgery, it's a great group to check out. They not only deal with implant allergies/reactions, but implant issues/failures in general.
I have some kind of seasonal pollen allergies that are just bad enough to be annoying, and I think I'm allergic to leaf mold because I always get congested and etc in autumn when the leaves drop. Also, I recently discovered I am at least slightly allergic to soy, based on how shitty I felt for a couple weeks when I was using soy milk in my morning coffee. I plan to have food allergy testing and I fully expect it will confirm that soy thing. MAN I felt horrible. Sad that it took me two weeks to make the connection. (I will try to be smarter.)
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me, I am also allergic to nickel in earrings, have to wear nickel free sterling silver, 18kt or higher gold or platinum. I have a cousin who cannot wear any metal with nickel in it at all, bracelets, necklaces, rings, she swells up and her skin breaks open and oozes.
ReplyDeleteCarrie, that is a fascinating story! And informative. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSeasonal allergies which are no big deal except in the spring in northern Florida when the pollen from all the oak trees lies in drifts on everything...seriously, it does.
ReplyDeleteI'm allergic to ANY sort of earrings, so had to let my ear holes grow shut. Hypo-allergenic, pure gold, doesn't matter, by the end of the evening my ear lobes are swollen, oozing masses.
The worst though is my allergy to eye makeup. I have rather small eyes anyway, but used to enhance them with liner, shadow and mascara. Then, in my 40s, I was suddenly allergic to any cosmetic anywhere near my eyes. If I wear mascara, my eyelids swell, crack open and bleed, and the whites of my eyes turn red. I can't use moisturizers, some soaps set me off, and sun block - either I leave it off, or put it everywhere except around my eyes, and risk looking like I'm wearing a bandit mask.
Mine all pale, though, next to an allergy to chocolate! Could life even be worth living without M&Ms?
I have some seasonal allergies but mine aren't usually in the spring when most people in my area have them. I'm allergic to something that is in the air around Thanksgiving time and lasts about only a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteI'm also very allergic to mosquitos like another poster said. I've actually had my eyes swell shut. And there appears to be something that attracts the damn things to me because I can be standing in a group of people and we can actually see the stupid things go straight for me.
I'm also allergic to Codeine and an antibiotic (and the name is escaping me right now though).
Allergic to cats, less allergic to dogs. The cat one is really bad, if I accidentally touch a cat I immediately use soap and water. I am nice about it though, my next door neighbours 3 cats like our yard better, and I just deal with it. Not that I am a red wine drinker, but when I have tried it my nose gets blocked, so I will just stick with white wine since I like it better anyway. Seem to have an intolerance for dairy also, don't drink much milk and it is better for me if it is heated rather than cold.
ReplyDeleteSeason allergies. Live in what is called the allergy belt in the Midwest, when I moved down here in my early 20's, I went to UofM for allergy testing was given samples of 3 medicines which put me to sleep for 12 hours. I have even had nasal surg. it helped for about year. Everyone who knows me is used to the blowing of the nose. Every year I get several sinus infections and then I call my Dr. and get some medicine.
ReplyDeleteI've heard a true story about a man named Jasper Lawrence who had severe allergies and had gained a lot of weight from taking prednisone for his allergy-induced asthma. His aunt told him she'd heard a story about how hookworms were possibly a treatment for allergies. He did a bunch of research and decided he was going to become infected with them. He couldn't just buy them off the Internet--I guess it's illegal. So he spent two weeks in Cameroon walking barefoot through the latrines of several villages. Apparently there is a high incidence of hookworm there. Hookworm is found in feces and enters the body by crawling through the skin in the feet. Long story short, it cured his allergies. He actually now harvests his hookworms and sells them over the internet from Britain but changes residence often because he is scared the FDA will prosecute him. Anyway, it has been suggested in a British medical journal that hookworms can also get rid of other autoimmune diseases like Crohn's, MS, diabetes, IBS, and rheumatoid arthritis.
ReplyDeleteYeh I found an amazing product which I wil pimp unashamedly. It is called Xlear, a product with Xylitol. I know, artificial sweetener up your nose? No hell no. My dental hygienist was talking about studies they had with children and xylitol products stopping tooth decay, particularly used as a nose spray helping with allergies as well. I tried it and good Lord, it cleared out my sinuses and I didn't even know they were blocked. And I thought, if this farks with bacteria (it is supposed to short circuit it somehow), and the major cause of heart valve disease is bacteria in your bloodstream, mostly from your MOUTH, well, ok, I'll try it. The clearing of the sinuses was a surprise though, I didn't expect it to work.
ReplyDeleteAfter eating ears and ears of boiled corn at 18 months old, it was discovered I am allergic to corn, in any form.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up, it wasn't terribly difficult to avoid corn. I was never able to eat PopTarts, Cap'n Crunch or pancakes with Mrs. Butterworth's, and I traded in my Halloween candy for these 'health food bars' called Tiger's Milk Bars, which at the time were made with honey.
Well, now I can't eat anything prepared by anyone other than me. Corn is everywhere, which isn't terrible. I mean, it's inexpensive and all natural, but it's not worth to me. My reactions have changed over the years, and none has ever been hospital visit inducing, but the reactions range from extremity itchiness to fever. I often get a rash on my forehead, or my mouth feels like I've eaten 4000 pretzels and ripped it up inside, but usually I get a bit of a fever, a bit of an itch and quite a bit of joint swelling and pain. I simply don't eat out, read every label, and make pretty much everything myself.
Extra crazy realization lately though is that corn in is most toothpastes, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, soaps, etc. I've found a corn-free toothpaste, moisturizer and soap, but no shampoo or conditioner yet so my head itches pretty badly.
An odd experience occurred during a trip to Germany when I had to eat out a bit. My neck developed a horrible, raised, red, welty, itchy rash. Apparently the corn is different in Germany! A nice woman at a drug store suggested Fenistil and it really really helped. The next time I travel to a place where I can't prepare my own food, I'm bringing Fenistil!
Seasonal allergies (have to take a couple of mild
ReplyDeleteAntihistamines a day) most soaps and detergents (must wear rubber gloves while doing dishes or my hands crack and bleed). Sometimes when my hands get bad I'll even was my hair with gloves on. What else? Tetracycline makes me itch. Oh, and cigarette smoke makes my sinuses totally freak out, followed by a wicked post nasal drip.
I used to work with a guy whose wife had a severe peanut allergy. If he ate, say, a snickers bar or a peanut butter cookie at lunch, his wife could tell. He said he would come home from work hours later, give her a peck on the lips and within minutes her mouth would start tingling. And not in a good way.
Boring stuff; seasonal/environmental, like most people. Mold, dust, pollen. Unfortunately, mold and dust are year round, and world-wide. Just got back from spending a couple of weeks in London, which is a very moldy city. I'm suffering, but London is always worth the misery.
ReplyDeleteEvery year, it seems the list of what I'm allergic to gets longer and longer.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, it's still all environmental (ie pollens) but still... Spring and Fall are the worst for me.
I got relief for the longest time using Allegra D, but thanks to a recently diagnosed heart condition I'm no longer allowed to use it.
I grew up being told that I was allergic to animals, but that turned out to be my mother's way of making sure that she wouldn't have an animal to deal with.
Honestly, if it turned out that I was allergic to my furry kids, I'd be at the Dr's office for shots as often as required.
Allergic to sulpha, which I found out when I had to go to the ER because I couldn't breathe after taking it. I had no insurance (job didn't offer it, I was young and dumb), so the amazing ER nurse never officially checked me in but put me in a "room" and informed the doctor that I was uninsured and suffering an allergic reaction from a drug his clinic (which was attached to the hospital & ER) had given me. A few hours later I was discharged and they paid for the cab that took me home. The doctor called the next day to check in with me to be sure I was fine, since he knew that I would be reluctant to head back to the ER with no insurance. That was in 1992 and I will never forget what it was like to be sick and uninsured. And I will never forget that I can't take sulpha.
ReplyDeleteIm allergic to Charmin Basic toilet paper. It makes my butt feel like its been stung by 100 mosquitoes. I have to use a steroid cream to stop the intense itching and burning.
ReplyDeleteAt 55, I've recently found out that I'm allergic to dust and cats (my house is covered in dust and cats) as well as egg whites and oysters. I'm from Maryland where the oyster is King. I've decided to just deal.
ReplyDeleteWhat's more difficult to put up with, though, is the asthma-induced severe bronchitis I get about 4 times a year. And yes, I teach special education elementary students, the least hygienic portion of the entire world's population.
I developed a really bad cough when I was in NYC a few years ago & my doctor said it was seasonal allergies. Sinus meds and nasal spray helped for almost exactly a year when the cough/stuffiness cropped up again, so when more meds didn't help, I saw a pulmonologist who thinks I have mild asthma. So far so good w/ his recommendations but if my symptoms return, he said the last step would be a trip to an allergist and possibly sinus surgery.
ReplyDelete@Carrie L. - What a crazy story. Glad to hear you are ok now.
I am allergic to pesticides that are grown in genetically modified food.
ReplyDeleteAs I sit here blowing my stupid nose and being a cranky bitch face! I abhor allergies and refuse to take anything so I just suffer from time to time. It started yesterday but it's a little better now. I'm guessing pollen or dander in my case. The only food I'm allergic to is avocado; makes my stomach hurt like nothing else I've ever felt.
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