Three strange allergies you’ve never heard about

29th April 2020

Three strange allergies you’ve never heard about

The world is a weird and wonderful place. In every corner of the globe, there is something unique that you’ve never even thought about before. It makes life more interesting – there’s always something new to discover and learn about.

And that goes for allergies too. Everyone knows about hay fever or peanut allergies, but how about some of these rare conditions? They aren’t your usual allergies in that they aren’t certain products or food. Let’s dive in!

Touch

This is a reaction to the pressure put on the skin when you touch it. As your finger runs over your skin, it leaves inflammation and welts in its path. It’s earned the condition the name ‘skin writing’ or – to use its proper term – dermatographism.

It is very rare, affecting 2-5% of the population. Thankfully, it’s not a life-threatening condition, and most of the inflammation seems to go down within 30 minutes. Symptoms come from histamine being released by mast cells on the skin. Histamine is the cause of many other allergies – such as hay fever – meaning dermatographism can also be treated with the same anti-histamine medication.

Vibrations

Clearly no one in the Beach Boys vibratory urticaria. This condition makes you sensitive to vibrations. Like dermatographism, your skin will react with red, itchy blotches. If you have been mowing the lawn, for example, you would likely see it on the hands.

Other symptoms include headaches, blurry vision, and fatigue. The vibrations don’t have to just be from the lawnmower; anything that causes you to vibrate might bring out the reaction – riding a bike being another example.

Your own child

In some rare cases, mothers of newborn babies can’t even hold their child. It’s a condition called pemphigoid gestationis and can appear during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Again, it is a skin condition, with itchy patches and blisters on the body. It can happen while the baby is still in the womb, or – as in this story – after the baby has been born.

It can be distressing for young mums who just want to hold their child. Some estimate it to occur in 1 in 50,000. Thankfully, it isn’t a true allergy and doesn’t last forever. For many mothers, it fades over time. So it isn’t a lifelong condition.

And those are just a few weird and wonderful reactions. While none of these were life-threatening, you should always be careful with any allergies. Always talk to a professional for an accurate diagnosis and advice on how to best live your life.

An allergy diagnosis doesn’t have to be a bad thing – most of them are easy to manage. What matters is how seriously you take them. To arrange a call with one of our experts, please call us on 02031 433 449.

Four bizarre allergies that actually exist

5th June 2019

Four bizarre allergies that actually exist

Getting people to understand common allergies, such as peanuts or pollen, is difficult enough. Try explaining that you’re allergic to any surface a cockroach walks on or you’re allergic to the proteins found in raw fruit and vegetables.

There are many allergies that sound stranger than fiction. But it’s time to separate myth from fact and reveal some uncommon allergies that may not get the spotlight they deserve.

Cockroaches

For those of us that live in the UK, cockroaches are rare and shouldn’t be too much of a problem. However, holidays in hotter countries may cause a bit of bother. If you’re allergic, cockroach bodies and their waste can induce symptoms similar to hay fever, along with skin rashes.

Raw fruits and vegetables

For those wishing to eat a healthy diet, being allergic to raw fruits and vegetables can be a nightmare. Sadly, many people will question whether you’re allergic and say you’re being fussy.

The problem is called ‘oral allergy syndrome’ and causes itching, burning, and pain in the throat. It occurs when the body’s immune system reacts to the proteins found in fruits and vegetables.

Mobile phones

What could possibly cause a mobile phone allergy? Unfortunately, for some of us, our bodies react to the presence of nickel or low levels of radiation. It can lead to a skin reaction that causes redness, welts, and itching.

Allergy medicine

Being allergic to the very thing that can treat your allergies is a cruel twist of fate. Some people’s immune systems react to the dyes or other ingredients used in common allergy medication. Thankfully, allergists can provide alternatives to help you treat your allergies.

These are just a small handful of bizarre allergies that many people don’t even know exist. If you’re experiencing any allergy symptoms you’re unsure about, it’s worth visiting a professional who can diagnose and treat you.

If you need help understanding your allergies, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with The London Allergy and Immunology Centre. Our specialist consultants can help you find the best treatments to make sure your allergies don’t take their toll on your daily life. Give us a call on 02 031 433 449 today.