I'm apparently the department expert on allergies. Whenever someone has a question, they ask me. Of course, that could be because I usually know the answer. Like what other grains people should avoid if they're allergic to wheat. It turns out my friend's mom is allergic to wheat, and wanted to know what to avoid, and how to treat certain reactions. I gave my advice, and also said she should see an allergist, because with the kind of reaction she was having, she might need an epipen.
My dad's girlfriend even asked my opinion on pet allergies, since she has a cat with allergies, but can't afford the special allergy food from the vet. She's now making her own pet food, and wanted to know what she should avoid. So I told her what allergies were common in people, and what allergies were similar. Stuff like oats were better filler than wheat. Stuff like that. She seemed to think I was helpful.
Allergies suck. I know... I have tons. Anyone have an allergy question for me? I can probably answer it. Just remember I'm going for my PhD, not my MD.
9 comments:
I found your blog whilst Googling acrylic allergy, although realised to check my other clothes, many of which are acrylic and cause no problems. Anyway, my problem is thus: I've started wearing a cardigan again that I last frequently wore in summer (when it wasn't warm, obviously) and my wrists flared up in an eczema-type ... not rash, but it was just like eczema then, and have again now. It's not something that's happened at other times - well, eczema is but not on my wrists with such ferocity. It's definitely the cardigan - could it be the dye?
Btw, this shoudl raise a smile: I'm a clarinettist allergic to reeds - and not just reeds, it seems the actual playing of it disagrees with me too. Hooray.
Charlotte
P.S You did say to ask you allergy questions; I do hope you don't mind, what with me being a complete stranger and all ...
It could be the dye. Another possibility is that it's a bit rough, and wrists are very sensitive. If you have allergies, your body likely has histamine stored up ready to flood out at the slightest aggravation, and the rough fabric of the cardigan can activate it.
If playing the clarinet is worse than just contact with the reed, then perhaps the vibration is also activating the histamines.
Depending on what and how much you're allergic to, you could try eliminating them all from your diet (or surroundings, in the case of dust, etc), and see if that calms down your immune system. Be warned, though, that some foods you may have built up a tolerance for, and you can lose that if you stop eating them. I've discovered that the hard way with corn, and had to rebuild my tolerance. :(
As a return funny: I'm allergic to exercise, mostly at certain temperatures. ;) A doctor explained it to me as the built-up histamine thing. I have too many allergies to avoid them all, though... at least, if I want to get anything resembling a balanced diet.
And no, I don't mind at all. ;) This conversation has been interesting.
That's actually a distinct possibility - it's one that so easily has stray fibres all over it that yeah, it could be the way it's made.
Funnily enough my teacher also reats to playing the clarinet, although in a much worse way. His immune system is non-existent though so has to take medication, which sees the contact (and quite possibly vibrations) as a threat so reacts really quite violently. But what are the chances of teacher/pupil both being allergic?!
Oh wow, that is quite something! Can you tolerate lots of walking to replace what's usually thought of as exercise, or not?
You're both allergic to the reeds? Have you tried a different brand, on the off chance the one you normally use has some nasty chemical?
I don't always react to exercise (and walking counts as exercise)... and it's just intensely itchy hives that start up after a bit. If I stop, they calm down and go away. (Although that's not terribly helpful when you need to get across campus for an appointment...)
Yes, we've both tried all different kinds. He now uses a synthetic one, and on the bass clarinet I also use a synthetic one, but a different brand. Although the synthetic reeds really help, our lips still react.
Hehe, I know walking counts - just I find that people tend to say 'exercise' without including walking. That must be SO annoying!
Hm. Sounds like it's likely the vibrations to me.
Would make sense, but cane (proper) reeds most definitely severely exacerbate the problem.
I guess I should have specified vibrations and allergy to cane. (Unless the cane vibrates differently such that those vibrations are worse.) And again, I'm not a doctor. ;)
Hehe, I meant a combination of both, too - oh the joys of unclear communication! It's a plausible theory anyway; I'll put it to my teacher and see what he thinks :o)
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