[MERGED] Food Allergy

[aira]

Yes, sa chicken, at syempre egg, seafoods like shrimps, clams, crabs, basta yong may shells, at higit sa lahat..... alcohol :( !! Although I still eat, esp chicken. Resuts are rashes. Pag sa alcohol, red rashes, parang measles ang appearance. Tapos one time, I got alcohol rashes, then na sunburn ako, it took the rashes longer time than usual to disappear. Buti na lang nawala.

What should I do, other than totally abstain from those foods, lalo na alcohol (sob, sob)? Good riddance, I dont really drink even at the most tempting sight of, ummm, subzero, but there are times when "you really have to", you know.

[Zen]

Gawd, I don't know how you get by with so many forbidden food. I'm so glad I don't have any allergies...

[VaMpeEh]

im allergic to silk.....most esp HAIR! yep so most of the time i wear it up .. or i brush it awayyyyyyyyyyy awaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy awwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy from my face... else, ASTHMA attacks! :(

[batang uliran]

aira:

Food allergies like you describe are potentially dangerous. For the most part, the reactions are like you mentioned - rash, itching, swelling/puffing and others but rarely, you could get a severe reaction called anaphylaxis which could be life-threatening. When this happens, your blood pressure falls, your lungs tighten up and your windpipe is swollen that you can hardly breath. This is readily reversible when treated promptly in the hospital but if not can lead to death rather quickly. I don't mean to scare you but the bottom line is one must totally abstain from foods they are allergic to - even if you have a hundred mild reactions, the 101st reaction could be this severe one and there's no saying when it might come. Also, physicians usually recommend that patients like yourself carry around an epi (epinephrine) pen for emergency situations when you accidentally eat something you are allergic to and get this severe reaction because usually, there is not enough time to get you to the emergency room - especially with Manila traffic. In the US, the 911 response teams have adequate personnel and equipment to deal with this problem in the field but this is certainly not the case in our country.

[Ira]

I totally agree with b.u. While some of my doctor friends would pop in prophylactic antihistamines right before eating allergenic foods, this is a very dangerous habit. My brother has eaten forbidden food often (kampante siya kasi sister niya doktor, but that's really no excuse), and we have rushed him several times na to emergency rooms because he has lost consciousness due to inability to breath secondary to severe allergy to crabs. Moral of the story? Don't think it won't happen to you, because it might.

[NewtoN]

Uy may kadamay pala ako...

aira: me too, I'm allergic to chicken and egg(don't ask me which came first..hehe), shrimps, crabs, squid & other seafoods in shells, nuts, & medicines that contain penicillin. It causes itching & rashes but I haven't experienced difficulty in breathing, siguro if I accidentally choke on the chicken bone...hehe. As for the alcohol... I'm not sure 'cause I don't drink.

[broom]

zen, same here! *apir* :)

[Zen]

*ismuts* broombroombaby ;)

[Ira]

aira: I forgot to add...since we don't have epi pens here (3rd world!), make sure you have a couple of relatively non-sedating antihistamine pills in your bags at all times, like Cetirizine 10 mg/tab (Virlix) or Loratidine 10 mg/tab (Claritin) when you go out. If you begin to see signs of allergy, take one tablet. Don't wait for it to worsen. Or, if you're just at home, Diphenhydramine 50 mg/cap (Benadryl) once an allergy begins would help. I'm not sure if they'll let you buy Benadryl without a prescription, though.

[Kamatayan]

How come it seems that a lot of people are allergic to seafoods (probably only second to dust), is it the chemical composition of seafoods ? O hindi lang naliligo ang mga allergic na mga to...

[Ira]

Bathing habits don't have any connection with allergy, although it probably has with lack of friends thereof.

It is the chemical components of seafood that people are allergic to(i.e., some types of proteins).

[aira]

Nayy!! (*hides under the blanket).
batang uliran: Idont wanna die, at least not of allergies. Hindi na po!! I was trying to picture myself na mawalan ng malay, tapos red pa all over... yaiks.

Ira: Even if I was presbcribed with antihistamines, I still dont take them, ayoko maging dependent kasi eh. But is it normal for reactions to be of various types, like for foods, I get this parang peeling na dry, then rashes from alcohol naman?

Newton: Me too, havent had difficulty in breathing, hintayin pa ba natin ? hehe. As for the alcohol, my friends said dapat I should drink all the more to oppose the allergens, yarayt! Ikaw, ano ginagawa mo? Do you take medications?

PePs: Wow, swerte mo naman, you have a valid excuse sa paglilinis :)

batang uliran and Ira: thanks sa info, and since we got no 911 here, I'd rather go to PEx, :) dapat online kayo non ha.

[This message has been edited by aira (edited 11-23-1999).]

[Ira]

aira: Don't worry, antihistamines like Virlix and Claritin won't make you a drug dependent. It doesn't have that kind of side effect. Risking anaphylaxis by not taking your medication is, in fact, riskier. And yes, it is normal for you to have different reactions to different types of allergens.

Here's something to maybe hope for: I used to have really BAD allergies, and the worst part of it was, I didn't know what I was allergic to. I had rashes the size of five peso coins from my neck down to my toes every single day for about 4 months, occuring at different times of the day. My allergologist could not find out what I was allergic to inspite of tests and going through my daily routine with a fine tooth comb. She had such a difficult time controlling it-- I was taking maximum recommended doses of at least 3 kinds of antihistamines a day, and we tried mixing different kinds of medications, but the allergy persisted. But after 4 months, the allergy just disappeared--I didn't change my daily habit--and so far it hasn't come back. Hopefully yours will turn out that way one of these days.

[NewtoN]

Aira: Although I think the type of allergy that I have is different from the one that causes anaphylaxis, maybe I'll just continue to avoid those foods, well...except for the chicken & egg. Siguro, I haven't eaten crabs for almost ten years already. Shrimps & squids...minsan-minsan na lang. I've tried a lot of medicines before(creams & ointments, lotion, tablets). Sabi ng doctor nasa genes daw kasi eh, so the only solution for me is learn to cope with it.

Ira & B/U: Thanks for the info.

[Ira]

No problem, Newton.

[tar-heelz]

Doc Ira: I'm allergic to dust and smoke.....am I going to be stuck with this 4 the rest of my life?

[pinkmoon]

Is it true that allergies come and go, you outgrow some and you may develop new ones as well? Some of the people here with the really serious allergies, I guess they are pretty much set with those for life (I call them the Epi Pen people to connote the severity of their condition). But then there's folk like me whose allergies come and go. Is this normal?

I've been through the shellfish thing, and somehow cured it when my mom was away and I gorged on shrimp tempura. I realize now this could have been deadly but I haven't been allergic to shellfish since. Sometimes though, and rarely now, my lips will kinda itch but that's about it. I guess that's the remnants of that.

Then strangely enough a few years ago I broke into a hot rash from the shoulders up after bathing in seawater. Linubog ko ang buong katawan ko take note pero shoulders up lang ang na affect. Sabi raw it could be a reaction to certain things growing in the water?

I went to Boracay last month, over 2 years since my last beach episode (I took antihistamines for it BTW). Before I dove in, I took an antihistamine, extra strength supposed to last 24 hours. Next day I forgot to take it and had NO reactions whatsoever same with the following days. Am I cured?

When I first moved to Canada 2 years ago I had wheezing and coughing over the summer and the doc said allergies but he couldn't say what so he just prescribed antihistamines. It's summer again now and I'm not experiencing them.

When we first got kittens I think i was allergic to the fur or their dander. Later on I thought I was over it but then it comes and goes nanaman. Usually my face gets itchy, lalo na if I get bits of fur on it.

Hahahah kawawa naman kayo kungn a bore kayo dun hindi pa mukhang may punto yon pero actually meron. I was just wondering if this was just a normal allergy journal or is there something serious happening? What's with all the coming and going? Bakit parang temperamental? Ira, b.u. what do you guys think?

[Ira]

Some allergies last a lifetime, some allergies just disappear after a while. You may not be allergic to a certain compound one day and find that you've developed allergies from it the next day. These are all normal. With allergies, it's really more of a "hope and pray it doesn't happen" situation. :) Even with the advancement of medicine, there's really not much known about hypersensitivity reactions, and how to actually cure it instead of just treating it as symptoms come. Good thing there are a lot of effective medications in the market, though.

[Cali4Nia]

Doc Ira,

I had food allergies as a child and I went through the whole needle poking allergy test before. Protein allergy was the diagnosis but it went away as I grew up because I could tolerate meats, seafood and eggs.

But I still get itchy clusters of bumps on my tummy, back or inner thighs when really tired or after having eaten a big meal.

So mom says its a case of "di natutunawan"...is she right and how does that cause the itching?

or do i still have allergies? What I take to get rid of the bumps is to drink Benadryl syrup w/c is for allergies like sneezing, itchy watery eyes, and runny nose...active ingredient is Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride...is that safe? Should I have my physician refer me to a specialist for another allergy test. Thanks :D

[Ira]

If these bumps disappear with Benadryl, then it's most probably allergy. It's pretty hard to diagnose it online without seeing these bumps in person. There is no such thing as "di natunawan". Benadryl is by and large safe longterm when taken properly. It really makes you sleepy, though, and it's one of the older generations of anti-allergy pills. Most doctors prefer to give newer, much safer, longer-acting, less sedating medications for allergies now like Claritin, but I'm not sure if you can get those over the counter in the US. You can opt to see an allergologist if you want to, although I personally don't think you need to undergo another series of skin tests even if your allergologist wants you to--whatever the findings, the mode of treatment will still be the same.

[Cali4Nia]

Thanks Doc Ira :D. Yeah Claritin here is still doctor prescription only.

[batang uliran]

True food allergies are rare - the main manifestations of these would be nausea, vomiting and diarrhea since the stomach and intestines are the first areas the allergens come into contact with. Shellfish allergy though is somewhat different and in severe forms may manifest in fall of blood pressure and tightening of the airways (anaphylaxis).

[chan.zombie]

HELP! HELP! HELP!

I have a skin asthma and the scars are driving me crazy. hope somebody can recommend me a lotion or cream or medicine for my scars and this stupid disorder.

ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ira]

I'm afraid you will have to go to an allergologist for that. Your treatment will include steroids, and it's not a good idea to buy these types of medications without having yourself thoroughly examined first.

[IvoryCoast]

I too have the same problem. I got skin asthma which first manifested when i was a child then it disappeared. Lately im beginning to scratch my skin everywhere... arms, legs and hands. It seems that i inherited this allergy from my dad. I cant seem to stop scratching till it bleeds. Its good though that I went to a dermatologist to seek advise and there are no scars now on my skin. I dont know what type of medicine it was but i think it was some form of corticosteroid. Its best to consult a doctor. It helps to put on a plastic where theres itchiness like what my doctor advised me. You see skin asthma tends to make your skin flaky and dry and the plastic covering will help remind you not to scratch it and at the same time provide moisture to the area.

[Witty]

lately, i''ve been experiencing weird allergic attacks (?).. basta bigla na lang nagkakaroon ng malalaking bumps sa legs ko... and those bumps itch a lot! ngayon lang nagtanggal ako ng sock tapos ang daming small bump sa feet ko.. after scrating it.... lumalaki yung bumps panrang nagiging bukol :(

ano ba to? allergic attacks lang? o symptom of other illness? never ko pa naman na experience yung difficulty in breathing.. thanks god...

[piQuAnT]

just had a serious allergy attack 2 days ago,
allergic ako sa ibuprofen/paracetamol i guess cuz it's the last pill i took, second to my usual multivits. prolly it cld be the effect of taking two pills in succession? we were on the road, i asked my bro to drive the car instead cuz my eyes were getting puffier every second...i also sneezed no end (well, i also hv allergic rhinitis btw) i know it was alaxan wc triggered the allergy...

we passed by mercury and bought claritin but it was kinda late na dahil sobrang maga na mata ko, halos wala na ako makita!! :(

[eyedoc]

Originally posted by Witty
lately, i''ve been experiencing weird allergic attacks (?).. basta bigla na lang nagkakaroon ng malalaking bumps sa legs ko... and those bumps itch a lot! ngayon lang nagtanggal ako ng sock tapos ang daming small bump sa feet ko.. after scrating it.... lumalaki yung bumps panrang nagiging bukol :(

ano ba to? allergic attacks lang? o symptom of other illness? never ko pa naman na experience yung difficulty in breathing.. thanks god...

It could be allergy. Then again, it could be any of a number of dermatologic conditions. Hard to say without actually seeing it.

[eyedoc]

Originally posted by piQuAnT
just had a serious allergy attack 2 days ago,
allergic ako sa ibuprofen/paracetamol i guess cuz it's the last pill i took, second to my usual multivits. prolly it cld be the effect of taking two pills in succession? we were on the road, i asked my bro to drive the car instead cuz my eyes were getting puffier every second...i also sneezed no end (well, i also hv allergic rhinitis btw) i know it was alaxan wc triggered the allergy...

we passed by mercury and bought claritin but it was kinda late na dahil sobrang maga na mata ko, halos wala na ako makita!! :(

Next time this happens, your best bet is to go to a hospital emergency room. Allergic reactions occurring this fast is alarming. I would give you an injectable antihistamine and if needed, epinephrine and probably intravenous steroids. Severe allergic reactions may be life threatening.

[piQuAnT]

thanks eyedoc..
sobrang ntakot nga ako dun...cuz i was breathing through my mouth na ***. clogged na tlaga nose ko.
i really had no idea why it was that fast...in a matter of 5 minutes super-bloated na mata ko.. :(

[SpeedyPedro]

When talking about treatment for food allergy, the best method is avoidance. If you’re allergic to certain types of food, then you ought to practice strict avoidance of these foods. Food allergy is largely symptomatic, which means that whatever medications or treatment methods are available, they are usually to prevent the onset or for treatment of the symptoms.

[smilewarrior]

This might help ->

Some allergies last a lifetime, some allergies just disappear after a while. You may not be allergic to a certain compound one day and find that you've developed allergies from it the next day. These are all normal. With allergies, it's really more of a "hope and pray it doesn't happen" situation. :) Even with the advancement of medicine, there's really not much known about hypersensitivity reactions, and how to actually cure it instead of just treating it as symptoms come. Good thing there are a lot of effective medications in the market, though.

[lips2lips]

i had serious allegry attack two years ago. uminom kasi ako ng chinese med na asprin tapos sobrang namaga eyes ko at di na rin ako makahinga. i was losing my voice. tas un sbi ng doc buti naagapan pa raw.

im allegric sa mga preservatives, e.g cheese curls and junk foods, powdered juices, lucky me etc bsta *** mga may powder.. knorr rin

so sad these are my favorite foods:( i still hope na mawawala na allergies ko for good even though it's impossible.

[sgrebs]

docs, yung drowsiness side effect ba ng antihistamines ay depende din sa tao, 'ika nga, hiyang-hiyang din ba yan? dati kasi, cetirizine and loratadine, kahit anong brand, malalakas ang amats sakin, usually peaks around 6 h after taking them. pero may kakilala din ako, claim nya hindi daw nakakaantok ang mga ito.

now that i'm driving everyday, buti na lang nadiscover ko yung telfast for my allergic rhinitis, sya yung hindi nakakaantok para sakin, though doble yata price nya.

[Boo1607]

docs, yung drowsiness side effect ba ng antihistamines ay depende din sa tao, 'ika nga, hiyang-hiyang din ba yan? dati kasi, cetirizine and loratadine, kahit anong brand, malalakas ang amats sakin, usually peaks around 6 h after taking them. pero may kakilala din ako, claim nya hindi daw nakakaantok ang mga ito.

now that i'm driving everyday, buti na lang nadiscover ko yung telfast for my allergic rhinitis, sya yung hindi nakakaantok para sakin, though doble yata price nya.

Yeah, depende rin siguro sa tolerance mo yun.Studies show na talagang lahat ng antihistamines can cause drowsiness kaya may caution sila na when you take it, dapat dika mag drive (especially long driving). Usually, second generation anthistamines like Zyrtec/Virlix (cetirizine) and Clarityne (Loratidine) can cause 'mild' drowsiness lang at minsan talagang wala (thats according to their studies respectively). Pero ang mga first generation antihistamines like Iterax, Benadryl ay talagang nakaka cause ng drowsiness.

Telfast is a second gen antihis as well, siguro dun ka hiyang kaya dika nada drowsy. Ingat na lang sa pagda drive mo.*okay*

[sgrebs]

Ok Boo1607, many thanks! I take telfast symptomatically lang naman, not on a daily basis, at most every other day in some instances, kasi usually umaabot til next day (more than 24 hours) ang relief na offered nya.

Mas cost-effective pa din ba in the long run itong taking of antihistamines kesa sa de-sensitation therapy?

[Boo1607]

Kung merong de-sensitization therapy diyan sa Pinas, then I think that is more cost effective (in the long run). Rather than taking antihistamine forever!

Pero for sure gagastos ka ng malaki sa umpisa. Desensitization tx usually takes 3-4 years. Para talagang ma immune ka. I dont know how it works there. And of course, madaming complications yun, one rare complication that can arise is anaphylactic shock or severe allergic reaction, occurring shortly after an injection. To prevent this risk, immunotherapy should not be done at a time of exposure to the substance causing the allergy. As far as the success rate of desensitization therapy for allergy sufferers, no statistics are available...

I think yung sayo naman is just a common allergic rhinitis. You dont need to undergo desensitization therapy kasi sabi mo at most every other day ka lang nagte take. Iwasan na lang ang mga precipitating factors ng allergy mo! :)