Allergies

Weird Allergies: Allergy to Water and Vibration

March 15, 2011 by rfcamat Leave a Comment

In our previous articles, we discussed about allergies to sex, sunlight, sweat, and exercise. We learned the causes, symptoms, and treatments of these four weird allergies. In this article, we will tackle two more weird allergies: water and vibration allergy.

Water Allergy

No one will argue to the fact that water is one of the most important compounds on earth. Life on this planet would be impossible without it. We humans can live for many days without food but not without water. We need water to swallow our food better and to clean our body. We also need the most abundant water to cook our food and wash our clothes and dishes. With all these uses of water, we could not imagine a world without water.

You will be surprised that there are few people who wish that there should be another compound to replace water, a compound that would not cause allergic reaction in their skin. These people have a weird allergy to water, medically known as aquagenic urticaria with symptoms including painful hives, lesions, welts, and rashes on the body that appear within 5 to 10 minutes after exposure to water.

Unlike common allergies, water allergy is not treated with antihistamine as the condition is not caused by histamines. It is treated with capsaicin cream instead.

The cause of aquagenic urticaria is not yet clear but experts believe that it is caused by the ultrasensitivity of the skin towards additives in the water and not the water itself.

I wonder how people with aquagenic urticaria clean their body to maintain proper hygiene. Do you have any idea?
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Allergy to Vibration

Vibration is the process of moving or being moved back and forth very rapidly. It can be produced by sound or machine. Our body has specialized neurons that detect vibration at different intensity. Vibrations, especially weak vibrations, are usually not harmful to the human body but not to the body of people with vibration-induced urticaria, commonly called skin allergy to vibration. Similar to aquagenic urticaria, symptoms of vibration-induced urticaria include welts, rashes, and other forms of skin irritation that usually appear five minutes after exposure to vibration. The symptoms can persist for hours or even days in extreme cases. Unlike water allergy, vibration allergy comes from histamines so the medication to be used is antihistamine. Calamine lotion or corticosteroid cream can also be applied to the skin to control the symptoms.[ad#afterpost]

Weird Allergies: Allergy to Sweat and Exercise

March 4, 2011 by rfcamat Leave a Comment

In the previous article, we learned about two weird allergies: semen and sun allergy. Now, we will discuss another two bizarre allergies: allergy to sweat and exercise. Let us start with sweat allergy.

Sweat Allergy

Sweating, especially during exercise, is said to be beneficial to our health because toxins, excess oil, and other waste products from the skin are released. Sweating is also a feedback mechanism of our body to cool itself when its temperature increases from the normal level. But there are people who simply cannot appreciate sweat because soon after it is released they get itchy rashes, tingling or burning sensation that can occur anywhere on their body. These symptoms that occur after sweating indicate sweat allergy or medically known as cholinergic urticaria.

Exercise, hot bath, nervousness, stress, fever, eating spicy food, and anything that trigger sweating can cause the symptoms of sweat allergy to appear. The usual area in the body where symptoms occur is the trunk.

People with sweat allergy are more likely to have eczema or asthma and are between the ages of 10 to 30.

The symptoms of sweat allergy can be controlled using medications. There are instances wherein the condition becomes less severe or disappear after few years.
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Exercise Allergy

Exercise is said be beneficial to anyone’s health and well-being but not to a person who is allergic to it. Instead of improving strength, blood circulation, and stamina, exercise causes tiredness, feeling warm, swelling, dizziness, wheezing, drop in blood pressure, redness, and even life-threatening anaphylaxis to a person allergic to it. Typical exercise like swimming, jogging, or walking causes the appearance of symptoms.

Like sun allergy, the cause of exercise allergy is unknown but it is thought that exercise reacts with certain foods such as nuts, alcohol, cereals, and seafood to cause allergy. But there are cases in which exercise alone is enough to cause the symptoms to occur.

Since anaphylaxis is life-threatening, people with exercise-induced anaphylaxis but want to exercise are advised to exercise with a companion, carry emergency medication, and stop as soon as any symptoms appear.

NEXT: Water & Vibration Allergy

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Weird Allergies: Allergy to Sex and Sun

March 1, 2011 by rfcamat Leave a Comment

An allergy is the unusual sensitivity to a normally harmless substance that provokes a strong reaction from a person’s immune system. The substance that causes reaction is called an allergen, which could be a protein, a chemical, a liquid, a pollen, etc. The allergen is recognized by our immune system as “potentially dangerous” so it would react accordingly. However, the response is not necessarily good to our body as allergic reaction gives noticeable symptoms which include rashes, nausea, swelling, and anaphylaxis, a condition which can cause death if not treated immediately.

First exposure to an allergen will not cause any symptom but the body is said to be sensitized to that allergen. Subsequent exposure to the allergen causes allergic reaction and the symptoms will show up.

Perhaps, you know examples of allergies and you know people who have them. Common allergies that you may have heard of include strawberry allergy, birch allergy, egg allergy, chicken allergy, hay allergy, seafood allergy, peanut allergy, mold allergy, and the like. But have you heard of sex allergy, sun allergy, sweat allergy, and other weird allergies that are only experienced by a very small portion of our population?

Continue reading to learn some of the world’s weirdest allergies. Find out their causes, symptoms, and treatments.

Sex Allergy

Sex is supposed to be enjoyable but not to a woman who is allergic to her partner’s semen. The semen is a thick white fluid containing sperm released during ejaculation. It contains proteins (allergens) that trigger allergic reaction to the woman’s body. Symptoms include burning sensation, redness, and swelling to any area that has been in contact with semen. Another symptom is anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening symptom marked by breathing difficulty and drop in blood pressure. All these symptoms occur soon after sex.

Semen allergy is very rare. There are instances that it is misdiagnosed as allergy to condom (latex), lubricants, spermicides, or as a symptom of sexually transmitted disease. However, symptoms disappear after condom use but return after unprotected sex. Semen allergy can be confirmed through various allergy tests like skin test.

Semen allergy is not the end for a healthy sexual life to a woman with the condition since there is treatment. The woman should be desensitized to his partner’s semen through frequent local injection of the allergenic sperm and weekly sexual intercourse. If treatment is not successful and the woman wants to be pregnant, artificial insemination can be performed.
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Sun Allergy

The sun is the primary source of energy in all of living things. It powers the photosynthesis in plants, the water cycle, and other biological phenomena. Even Vitamin D metabolism needs the sun’s energy to take place. With all these important role of the sun, man has no reason in not appreciating it. But would you appreciate the sun if it gives you a disease like sun allergy?

Also known as solar urticaria, sun allergy gives stinging, itchy, red and swollen rash soon after being exposed to the sun. The symptoms occur in any part of the body exposed to sunlight but the face and hands are slightly affected because they are desensitized with constant exposure to the sun.

The exact cause of solar urticaria is still unknown but it is thought that it may be due to the sun reacting with a chemical allergen in the body, triggering the allergic reaction responsible to the symptoms.

The diagnostic test for solar urticaria involves shining light of varying wavelengths directly to the skin. The appearance of rash or swelling confirms allergy to the sun’s light.

Antihistamines are used to control the symptoms. Long term treatment involves the desensitization of the skin against sunlight through phototherapy. In instances of highly sensitive immune system, immunosuppressant drugs are used.

Next: Sweat and Exercise Allergy

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Hair Dye Allergy Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention

June 28, 2010 by rfcamat Leave a Comment

Hair dyes are used to change the natural hair color temporarily. People have various reasons in using hair dyes: covering the gray or simply getting the perfect hair color. Through the years, the number of people using hair dyes has increased. Likewise, the number of people reported hair dye allergy has also increased significantly. What causes allergic reaction to hair dye?

Allergy to hair dye is caused by 4-paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a chemical used in 2/3 of all permanent hair dyes. The chemical has been in the market since 1909. PPD has many other names: Ursol, Rodol, Orsin, para-Aminoaniline, para-Diaminobenzene, 1,4-benzenediamine, 1,4-phenylenediamine, and p-phenylenediamine. Because PPD is dangerous to human health, some countries banned or limited the use of PPD in hair dyes. In the U.S., PPD is allowed only in hair dyes and not permitted in other cosmetic products designed for direct skin application.
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Symptoms of Hair Dye Allergy

According to Healthhype.com, there are three types of symptoms caused by hair dyes: allergic contact dermatitis, contact urticaria, and anaphylactic shock.

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a form of skin inflammation with symptoms such as redness, swelling, itching or blistering. ACD occurs in people who are genetically predisposed to develop sensitivity with PPD. Symptoms of ACD do not show immediately at the initial contact to PPD because at least 10 days is required for a person to develop sensitivity. Within these days, the immune system is preparing for subsequent exposures by producing antibodies against PPD. On the second and subsequent use of PPD dye, ACD symptoms show up after 6-72 hours from the time of exposure. Immune cells such as lymphocytes and macrophages attack PPD molecules and then ACD symptoms begin to appear at the ears, eyelids, scalp, face, neck, and other body areas.

Another symptom of hair dye allergy is contact urticaria which is marked by itching and small pale or red swellings in the skin that can last for few days. Unlike contact dermatitis, contact urticaria occurs in minutes to about an hour after exposure to PPD. As a reaction to PPD, the immune system produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies and histamine. Histamine causes the dilation of skin blood vessels; this results to the leakage of blood plasma into the skin resulting to redness and swelling. Besides from skin symptoms, sneezing, wheezing, swallowing difficulty, and vomiting can appear.

Anaphylactic shock is the most dangerous symptom of hair dye allergy because it is fatal. Though very rare, anaphylactic shock due to PPD allergy has claimed few lives. The signs of anaphylactic shock include itching, swelling (edema), breathing difficulty, confusion, serious drop in blood pressure, weak pulse, loss of consciousness, and death. A person who has anaphylactic shock needs immediate medical help to prevent death.

Take note that hair dye allergy symptoms are similar to the symptoms of peanut, strawberry, latex, mold, and sulfite allergies.

Hair Dye Allergy Treatments

If allergic reactions occur after applying hair dye, the hair should be rinsed immediately with water and washed with mild shampoo and 2% hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide will break the adherence of PPD to hair strands.

Antihistamine is the medication used for mild allergic reactions like skin rashes and itching. For the fatal anaphylactic shock, epinephrine shot is given to the patient. Epinephrine relaxes the airways and constricts the blood vessels. Since epinephrine is injected directly to the bloodstream, it will work right away.

If the symptoms are getting serious, seek medical help immediately.

Prevention of Hair Dye Allergy

It is highly advised to perform patch test before using any hair dye. Patch test is easy to do, just make a hair dye solution and then use a cotton swab to apply a drop of the solution behind the ear or on the inner side of the elbow for 48-72 hours. The test is negative if no rashes or irritations occur; therefore it is safe to use the hair dye.

Henna dye is a good alternative to synthetic dyes with PPD. The dye is derived from the dried crushed leaves of henna, Lawsonia internis. Henna dye contains tannins, red pigments also found in grapes. Take note that there are henna dyes in the market that contain PPD. Thus, perform a patch test before using henna dye.

Other Important Things to Know

Besides PPD, other chemicals in hair dye can also cause allergy such as 6-hydroxyindole, p-methylaminophenol, and Isatin.

People with PPD allergy can also develop sensitivity to chemicals related to PPD such as azo groups (found in ballpoint pen inks, hair dyes, and food & medication coloring), sulfa drugs, local anesthetics e.g. benzocaine & procaine), p-aminosalicylic acid, and p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA, found in sun-protective creams).[ad#afterpost]

Sources and Further Reading

Symptoms of a Strawberry Allergy

December 8, 2009 by rfcamat Leave a Comment

In this article you will learn the signs of strawberry allergy, what is in strawberry that causes allergy, the tests for strawberry allergy, and how to manage strawberry allergy.

What Are The Symptoms of Strawberry Allergy?

The symptoms for strawberry allergy occur after exposure to strawberry fruit and strawberry products (e.g. strawberry jam, strawberry ice cream, etc.). Strawberry allergy symptoms differ from person to person but the common symptoms are the following:

• Your eyes become watery.
• You are vomiting.
• You have diarrhea.
• You have hives.
• Rashes are appearing at your skin.
• You feel itchy.
• You have trouble breathing.
• There is swelling in your tongue, mouth, and/or throat.

[ad#co-1]If a person are showing this symptoms, he or she should be given immediate medical attention because a severe allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock may occur. Anaphylactic shock is fatal.
Take note that latex allergy symptoms are similar to the symptoms of peanut, hair dye, mold, and sulfite allergies.

What is in strawberry that causes allergy?

The strawberry is made up of different proteins and some of these proteins act as allergens or substances that can trigger allergic reaction to an individual. The protein allergen from the strawberry is recognized by the body as foreign and can be dangerous to the body so the human immune system reacts by releasing histamine- the one that initiates allergic responses such as blood vessel dilation(causes the swelling), fluid secretion (in the eyes and the lungs), muscle spasm, etc.

A group of researches from the University of Lund, Sweden have identified a particular protein from the strawberry which they thought is the culprit why strawberry causes allergy. They said that the protein is among the proteins that give the strawberry its red color. They added that the protein allergen is not found in the white variety strawberry. The allergen has also some similarities with the birch pollen- another allergen that can trigger allergic reactions. People who are allergic to birch pollen can be allergic to strawberry but not vice versa.

What is the test for strawberry allergy?

You may get the service of a professional allergist to test you for strawberry allergy. The allergist will perform the skin test on you. In this test, he will scratch a needle with the allergen (substance from strawberry) in a small portion of your skin. If after few minutes, a small bump appear in the portion of your skin where the needle was scratched then you may be allergic to strawberry.

How to manage strawberry allergy?

The best way to manage strawberry allergy is by avoiding eating strawberry fruits. You should not also eat processed strawberry products (e.g. strawberry flavored foods, beverages, jams, etc) because the allergen is still present in these foods. Always read the labels of food products before consuming them because they may contain strawberry. Try the white variety of strawberry; it doesn’t contain the allergen but its taste is somewhat different to the red variety.

Disclaimer

The content in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor before taking any action suggested on this page.