NeuroTalk Support Groups - Unusual Allergies

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- - Unusual Allergies (https://www.neurotalk.org/allergies-and-multiple-chemical-sensitivity/16717-unusual-allergies.html)

I have lots of drug allergies including all the DMDs unfortunately.

I love fishing but I'm allergic to one of the most common fishes here in Southern Australia. Flathead fish are a good eating fish caught on sandy beaches, but they have spikes on their backbones. I only have to touch one of these and it's a trip to hospital for me.

I don't know if the coastal states of the US have them or not .... This is what they look like.

unusual allergies

For an excellent look into unusual allergies, check out "Allergies: seasonal or not, sufferers are everywhere" by Roxanne Pinto.
There are also many related stories on the right bar.

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I don't know if any of my allergies are considered 'unusual' but I have a fair number of them...

My number one (severe-anaphylaxis) allergy is latex. Had it since I was born, *so* not fun.

I'm also allergic to: raw bananas (not cooked), kiwi, papaya, mango, passionfruit, avocado. All of these ones I've been allergic to since I was very young.

Over the past two or three years though... I'm now officially allergic to raw tomatoes, and raw peppers (like Bell peppers). Totally sucks, because I really did love tomato.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinLady (Post 201558)

I have a couple of strange chemical allergies.

Weird, huh? :D

No, not for me AND laundry detergent, even without any colour or fillers. I have to use a short piece of hose to add extra water to the wash and rinse cycle on the washing machine AND as it spins I just keep on spraying until it nears the end of rinse spin. This flushes most of it out and my allergies are much better when I do this. I NEVER can use fabric softener OR the sheets either. I get all stuffed up and phlegmy. I do think all the additives in our products are Killing us anyway. :( I TRY to use Minimal soaps and detergents and shampoos and conditioners and Rinse, Rinse, RINSE like Crazy when I do. AND drinking a lot of water throughout the day also helps with these problems.:winky:

Wiix
you may be allergic to coconut stuff...there is a lot of it in toiletries and household products

I know some people who do have coconut allergy and as soon as they eliminated everything with coconut in it things improved

my son is hyper sensitive to chemicals so we have to be real careful. He thankfully doesnt have the coconut allergy tho as it is real healthy stuff! natural anti-microbial plus highly nutritious too

I am REALLY having a terrible time right now. Coughing up GOBS of stuff now for about 2 weeks and yesterday my ears got all blocked up and I am sneezing and dripping all over the place. I'm NOT sick just gooky and phlegmy as all get out. I got some OTC MultiSymptom Allergy medicine, store brand, yesterday and I just took a caplet. Let's see if this helps. Usually a couple Benedryl at night helps quite a bit but in the morning, MAN!!! I am like a Gook Machine here couging up SO much stuff and dripping like Crazy. IF I attempt to do some cleaning I KNOW it's only going to make it worse.

You know what I think I am going to do is when I vacuum, I am going to use a spray bottle and spray everything with a fine mist of water BEFORE I vacuum. Maybe that'll keep some of this stuff to a minimum in the air. I KNOW I have to take my canopy down from my bed and wash that and my bedroom curtains too. I will do the same there BEFORE I attempt to take any of that down to wash. Yesterday I took a nap and woke up BLOCKED up so tight I had to breathe through my mouth. I almost needed a crowbar to open up my sinuses with a nasal spray. :o

Wiix you might have MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity), check this out.

http://www.ourlittleplace.com/mcs.html

Wiix . . . have you ever considered that you should not have dust catchers like the canopy, being as you are hyper-sensitive to dust? I have read many times that those with dust allergies often contribute by they way that they furnish their homes. You might be better off eliminating those furnishings that noticeably catch or trap dust. I know we constantly monitor around here for things that collect dust, just to be on the safe side, as my partner has early stages of COPD.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTenaLouise (Post 191904)

mold is a very real threat to my health -
a tiny bit of info about mold -

Airborne mold spores can destroy your health. Many people are unaware that they are breathing mold spores until they are very sick. If you are lucky and have a minor allergic reaction to the mold, once you leave the affected area you will recover. But, if you have been exposed to the dangerous stachybotris spores you can have chronic bronchitis, learning disabilities, mental deficiencies, heart problems bleeding lungs and more. Here is what you need to know about mold in your homes, schools, and places of work.

25 million Americans suffer from allergic reactions to molds, most of them don’t even realize that when they’re sneezing and sniffling the cause could be molds. Many molds produce airborne toxins that can cause serious breathing difficulties, memory and hearing loss, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, and bleeding in the lungs. Common ailments from mold---including allergies, asthma and bruising---usually can be treated and reduced after people leave their contaminated environment. But other health problems may remain permanently, such as brain damage and weakened immune systems.

Fungus reproduces into spores that come in many different sizes, shapes and colors. The spores will reproduce and germinate into new mold growth which in turn can produce millions of more spores. Molds are most prevalent from spring through late fall, but,in warm climates, molds thrive all year and can cause year-round problems.

Molds can be found wherever there is moisture, oxygen, warmth and something to feed on. In the fall they grow on rotting logs and fallen leaves, especially in moist, shady areas. In gardens, they can be found in compost piles and on certain grasses and weeds. Molds grow in our homes in moist warm areas like damp basements, closets, and bathrooms. Also molds can grow in places where fresh food is stored, refrigerator drip trays, house plants, humidifiers, garbage pails, mattresses, upholstered furniture, or foam rubber pillows. Molds can grow inside the walls and flooring of our homes, wherever there are wet cellulose materials they can feed on, such as wood, ceiling tiles, or plasterboard.

Molds come in at least a thousand different varieties, but only a few are the offenders that invade our homes. Alternaria and Cladosporium are the molds most commonly found both indoors and outdoors throughout the United States. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Helminthosporium, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Aureobasidium are also common. The most dangerous mold strains are: stachybotrys (pronounced Stack-ee-BOT-ris). This black fungus releases toxic, microscopic spores that cause the worst symptoms that are usually irreversible.

In some individuals, a minor exposure to mold can cause an allergy that can lead to asthma or to a lung disease. The symptoms are wheezing, low-grade fever, and coughing up of brown mucus. You will need to be seen by a doctor is you suspect that your allergies, bronchitis or asthma are related to mold spores. If you have any unexplained severe health problems, you may want to determine if you have been exposed to a dangerous strain of mold spores.

In some people, symptoms of mold allergy can be worsened by eating foods, such as cheeses, that are processed with fungi. Other foods like mushrooms, dried fruits, and foods containing yeast, soy sauce, or vinegar can also produce allergic symptoms. Avoid these foods if you suspect any mold allergies.

To rid your house of mold clean counters, showers, tubs, sinks, window sills or anywhere there is mold with bleach. Fix leaking faucets or pipes that could be dampening walls. Install air conditioning in your home because this dries the air out, making it more difficult for mold to survive. Check houseplant soil, make sure it is not always very damp. Keep firewood outside. Keep your basement as dry as possible. You may want to keep an air purifier in your basement. Clean the bottom of your refrigerator, and underneath it. Clean up all water damage quickly. If your carpet, walls or any flooring is in a flood get an experienced flood specialist to dry it up for you. Any dampness left can cause mold to grow in your walls or under your carpet. When water is left to sit, for even 24 hours, common molds can begin to grow. If water continues to sit and areas become completely saturated, more lethal molds, such as Stachybotrys, can begin to grow.

The tricky thing about these airborne molds is, you may not realize how it has affected your health for quite sometime after you have been exposed. It is important to not live, work or stay for long periods of time in a place that smells mildewy or moldy. If you have done all you can to clean molds that are visible, maybe there is mold under the carpet or in the walls.

If you suspect that the air quality in your home is being compromised by mold spores you can have the air tested, but it can be quite expensive.

It's worth it if it helps save your health.

Tena,

Do you know of any easy/blood test that can be done to determine black mold poisoning? It is one of my theories about what is wrong with me. If I knew what test would prove it, I could just ask for that test to be run. If it is that I think it's my workplace since my problems developed after the back of my desk area was flooded with black water last year. Everyone in my office is perpetually sick too. Some with "allergies", some with throat and sinus infections, some with "Post-Lyme Disease" and some with new on-set gastrointestinal "allergies". Any help would be appreciated.
Dizzie lizzy

Zantac, Prilosec - Skin Rash, breathing problems
Cymbalta, Paxil, Zoloft - Severe facial, tongue, extremity edema, blistering/bleeding rash in throat and gynecological, severe skin rash with itching.
Diagnostic Iodine--skin rash
Sulfa-severe mental confusion
Bee Stings and other insects

Still trying to find more information on the allergic reaction to the Antidepresspants and Zantac etc, was taking both at same time when this started, but when taking zoloft was not taking any stomach meds. The only thing that saved me from an anaphylactic reaction was being on benadryl and meclizine for allergies and a balance disorder.

I would more than appreciate any information or resources explaining the hows and whys of the Anti-depressant allergies. I am on desipramine, a tricyclic, and having some side effects-bothersome, and starting the first signs of galactorrhea. I am just afraid of having no viable anti-depressant options down the road.

This is all I can think to write at this time. Thank you ahead of time for any information.
Lifesaver54