Anyone with allergies can tell you they are rough. Spend time around a cat, and your eyes will start watering. Smell a flower in bloom and start sneezing. Dodge bees, stay away from nuts, and keep your epi-pen nearby at all times. However, some surprising sources of allergic symptoms exist that many people remain unaware of. Seeking allergy treatment is the best way to address severe symptoms. Learn about your allergies, triggers, and risks by working with a specialist.
Surprising Sources of Allergic Symptoms
It seems there is no limit to what the body can be allergic to. Below, we cover some of the more surprising sources of allergic symptoms.
Fruits and Vegetables
Usually, these allergies appear in individuals who already have a pollen allergy. Oral allergy syndrome occurs when you eat a food item and your body reads it as a type of pollen.
- Apples
- Kiwi
- Peaches
- Apricots
- Cherries
- Plums
- Pears
- Avocados
- Celery
- Carrots
The good news is twofold. First, these foods tend to trigger milder reactions. Unlike severe food allergies, the body reacts to food intolerance with a mild allergic reaction such as itchiness. Additionally, these foods tend not to cause reactions if cooked. So you can still enjoy a savory apple pie without issue.
Mammalian Meat Allergy
Patients bitten by a Lone Star tick may develop a meat allergy. The bite can cause the body to develop a new antibody that reacts to a carbohydrate found in meat.
Fortunately, these ticks do not exist in every state. You can find them mostly in states along the eastern and middle parts of the US. If you do live in (or visit) a state where they live, take steps to avoid bites.
What About Smoked Meats?
Smoked (or processed) meats can contain greater amounts of histamine. This chemical is intrinsically linked to allergic reactions, particularly those associated with hay fever. Individuals with milder allergies may not notice any issues, but consuming higher amounts of smoked meats can prove problematic for some individuals.
Wine Reactions
For most people, a glass of wine can relax the body and mind. For others, it may trigger an allergic reaction.
Some individuals have extra sensitivity to the sulfating agents present in wine. Individuals with asthma, in particular, may want to avoid sulfite-containing foods and beverages, such as:
- Some sauces and gravies
- Soups
- Wine vinegar
- Processed meats
- Frozen or canned fruits and veggies
Money
Specifically, some people may be allergic to the nickel contained in some coins. When their skin comes into contact with the metal, they may have a dermatitis reaction.
Fortunately, few people have this allergy. Even fewer handle coins frequently enough to notice any symptoms. However, cashiers and bank tellers may want to keep an eye out for it. If your hands have dermatitis symptoms, it may be caused by handling money.
Exercise
In certain patients, exercise can trigger one or more allergic reactions. Usually, this comes in the form of itching, hives, swelling, or asthma. In some cases, it may present as anaphylaxis.
Curiously, sometimes, this allergy only occurs after you have recently eaten a certain food. Maybe you never notice symptoms until one day you eat celery before working out. You do not even need to have an allergy to celery. But when combined, the body may react with an allergic response. Likewise, sometimes allergic symptoms only appear when exercising in the cold.
If you notice symptoms, we recommend pausing your workout. The symptoms rarely prove dangerous. However, with allergies, you always will want to err on the side of caution.
Sunlight
Some people do experience allergic reactions to sunlight exposure. This condition can prove a challenge to deal with, as sunlight causes affected individuals to break out in hives or have a headache.
Working with a specialist to develop a treatment plan can prove crucial to maintaining quality of life. Symptom severity can vary significantly.
The Cold
Few people enjoy standing out in the cold. For some, the cold may actually cause them to develop skin bumps or swelling. These bumps can occur during cold days but also in more quotidian cases like:
- Taking a cold shower
- Sitting in an air-conditioned room
- Consuming cold foods or beverages
Allergy Evaluations & Treatment Plans
Visiting an allergy specialist can prove a life-changing benefit. Even mild allergies can influence overall quality of life, so discover the difference treatment can make today.
