What are you allergic to?

Thanks. I will ask my doctor about this when I get my next appointment with her.

You may need to research it first. My doctor had told me I was "allergic" to certain foods and pollens amd I needed to take medication and/or avoid those things. But, I was becoming "allergic" to more things over time and my doctor never even thought that they all might have something in common (high levels of salicylates). I found out about salicylate sensitivity by accident and started investigating it. On my own, I started eliminating salicylates from my diet and my environment as much as possible. Within a week, I had even gotten rid of "symptoms" that I had not realized were being caused by my "allergies". My doctor had never heard of "salicylate sensitivity"; but, he could not deny the results. I then proceeded to educate my doctor. Salicylate sensitivity is recognized by doctors in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, etc. However, in the US it is either "not taught"; or, it is considered a "hoax" or "all in your mind". So, you may want to check it out before you see your doctor.

Actually, you sound a lot like me a few years ago. Start reading up on a topic called "salicylate sensitivity" - the chances are excellent that that is your problem. "I'm allergic to tomatoes, lemons and tea. I'm also allergic to a bunch of different grasses and trees." - Everything you listed is high in salicylates. "artificial vanilla and the artificial colors" - anything which chemically mimics a salicylate can be mistaken for one by your bodies immune system and cause a reaction - many artificial products fall into that category. Aspartame contains an ingrediant called "aspartate". Aspartate is almost a chemical duplicate of a chemical called "glutamate" (found in MSG and other products). Both of these chemicals have been proven by Johns Hopkin Medical Research Centers to increase any allergic reaction that your body is experiencing. In other words, a tiny reaction that you might not even be aware of, can be magnified into a noticeable reaction by either of these substances. This makes people believe they are allergic to aspartame or MSG; when all they are doing is making a smaller allergic reaction that is already taking place more severe. Anyone with any type of allergy should avoid both of these substances. Hope this info helps.

When doctors can't find an allergy source, it is usually a sensitivity or an emotional allergy. The source cannot be detected because no antibodies are produced. Some allergies can be "outgrown". Basically, something either causes your immune system to "reset" itself or it slowly "heals". The result is that you no longer have allergies. This does not mean that you may not develop new allergies or the old allergy could still "come back". You are very fortunate - only 2% - 5% of people ever "outgrow" an allergy.

Stress can cause a lot of changes in our bodies including allergic "type: symptoms. They are actually call "emotional allergies". You are still lucky they went away; because sometimes "emotional allergies" stay around because the allergic response will attach to other things (foods, scents, pets, etc.) if we are stressed at the same time we are around these other things.

Then you are very fortunate and I hope you stay that way. My father-in-law had no allergies until he turned 62. Then, he suddenly became allergic to ripe bananas. The only way he can eat a banana now is if it is still part green. So, we can develop an allergy at any point in our lives; and, sometimes people who allergies when they are young are able to "outgrow" the allergy.

It could be a reaction to any of the components that make up "mint" or it could be the first sign of salicylate sensitivity since mint is high in salicylates. Salicylate sensitivity - is a broad category; because, there are hundreds of different types of salicylates. Normally people will develop an allergic type reaction to ONE type of salicylate. If they are lucky, that will be the only salicylate that they ever react to; but, it can get worse and they can start becoming sensitive to other salicylates. So, unless your reaction to mint becomes more severe OR you start discovering other things that give you an allergic reaction - I would not worry about salicylate sensitivity.

I have never heard of that - how interesting. I'll have to look it up just for fun. I have always had this problem, my friends just laugh at me when I put a stick of gum or mints in my mouth because they know it's coming. Thanks for the info!

At least you DO know what your son is allergic to and it is a well publicized allergy. If you tell someone he is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts; they know what you are talking about and they have heard that it can be deadly. Plus, you are prepared to handle a severe reaction with your Epi-pen. When I tell someone I am "salicylate sensitive"; they have never hard of it and have no idea what I am allergic to; let alone how severe a reaction it can cause. This is even true for many health professionals simply because they do NOT know what salicylates actually are and unless the word "salicylate" is in the name; they have no idea where salicylate compounds are commonly found. I already have had to file a complaint with our state pharmacy board and with my doctor - because even though I explicitly and repeatedly told them about my sensitivity; they prescribed and dispensed a medication that specifically said I should not take it and based on what the pharmacist said when I specifically asked if it would be safe with my allergy, I tokk one pill and within 15 min was having a reaction to it. Fortunately for them, I was not hospitalized and so I just filed complaints instead of sueing them. Actually, I am afraid that if I was ever hospitalized; their lack of knowledge on this subject could be fatal. That has actually happened to other people who are salicylate sensitive.

It must be so difficult dealing with all of them. You may actually have MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities) since chemicals can get into the food supply as plants, animals, and even insects grow an dthey can easily get mixed in with pollen and pet dander; OR you might want to check into a problem called "amine sensitivity" since everything you mentioned does contain amines. Some people are so sensitive to amines that they cannot even be in a shower because tap water contains amines (which disappate into the air, so usually a tub that has been sitting for a few minutes is safe as long as the room is ventilated). You can easily find info on MCS; but, determining which chemicals affect you is notusually easy. For info on amines - here is a link to a good general info site - http://www.eklhad.net/manage-amines.html It does concentrate on the food issue; but, it does also mention some of the environmental issues.

Since he knows he is allergic and that she has cats; he may want to take one of the over-the-counter antihistamines before he gets there. I take some about an hour before I go eat anywhere outside of my home - I am careful about what I eat; but, sometimes you cannot avoid all allergens when eating out. This really helps me and it lets me lead a slightly more normal life; so, maybe it will help him when it is time to visit your mother.

Spider bites swell, itch, make me nauseous, and I run a temperature. The doctors have told me if I ever get bitten by a "poisonous" spider (black widow, brown recluse, etc.) I may not even make it to the hospital. (Basically, it is the same "type" of venom; just a lot stronger in the "poisonous" varieties.) Unless a person has had a serious reaction to something; they have no idea how bad an allergy can be. I was watching "Monster-in-law" and the mother-in-law-to-be knowingly puts nuts in some gravy when she knows the girl is allergic. She makes a comment about how "all it will do is make her all puffy". Nut allergy can kill and here it is being used as a "gag" in a movie!

There is such a thing as "emotional allergies". Emotional allergies can be caused by many things. 1) You may have had a bad experience while eating a certain food or smelling a specific scent. Your body only knew that it was being subjected to stress and it linked the food or smell to the stress and started releasing histamines which resulted in an allergic reaction. If this occurs; then, your body will have a reaction everytime you eat that food or smell that scent. An example would be if you were trying to eat or drink something and your friends or family were having a serious argument in the next room. You could develop an allergy to one or more of the foods you were eating at the time if the argument was upsetting to you. 2) It can also be a way of getting attention; you may feel neglected and this is your body's way of helping you get attention. "Emotional allergies" are very bit as real as any other type of allergy becasue your body does produce histamines and the allergy symptoms are the result of the histamines affect on your body. However; emotional allergies WILL respond to hypnosis therapy. OF COURSE, it could be a real allergy or sensitivity. The difference between an allergy and a sensitivity is that an allergy causes antibodies to form and they can be tested for; but, a sensitivity does not create any antibodies so there is no "lab test" for it. Everything else is identical. Exposure to a substance causes the body to produce histamines and they result in symptoms. Bth can kill if the symptoms are too severe - anaphylitic shock. You may want to do some research on "amine sensitivity". With you having a reaction to many types of meats plus other things, this might be your problem. Or, it could be reaction to a protein that is common to all of these items.

I know what you mean. I cannot take codeine or percocet (artificial codeine). I can no longer take aspirin or any NSAIDs. When I was treated for a shoulder injury after a fall, the doctor and pharmacist "tried to kill me" because 5 years earlier I was able to take Celebrex and I developed a severe aspirin allergy after that time. I told both of them I could not take aspirin or other NSAIDs because I had a severe reaction to aspirin; and, the celebrex warnings specifically said not to give celebrex to ANYONE who had a reaction to aspirin. But, they prescribed it to me anyway. I reported both of them to their respective boards. So, I do not need to worry about getting hooked on pain pills; but there is very little I can take that does give me any pain relief. All of my research indicates that allergies are the over reaction of a stressed immune system. Considering how much daily stress we are under; and, all the chemicals we literally are "swimming in" 24/7; it is no wonder that as we get older our immune system can no longer tell what is safe and what is not.

Is it the sauce (combined ingrediants); or, one specific ingrediant? Do you know? Also, asthma is a SYMPTOM of an allergy. Unfortunately, doctors are taught to treat the symptoms NOT find the actual cause. We have millions of people worldwide who are diagnosed as having asthma; but, they never find out WHAT they are allergic to and many do not even realize they have an allergy. There are over 100 different allergy symptoms. Most people are just given something for the symptoms; because, it is "simpler" than finding the cause of the allergy. The problem with this is; people keep being exposed to the allergen and needing to take prescription medicines (which are expensive and also have side effects); instead of learning to avoid the allergen and only needing medication occasionally when they are unable to avoid the allergen.

If you are allergic to more than one type of animal; you will probably find that you are allergic to many other furbearing animals. I agree, allergic reactions are no fun.

Research says that we can develop allergies if we are given too much of something OR are introduced to completely new items. When I moved from Mississippi to Arizona, there were fewer things here that I was allergic to; but, I also discovered all new plants that caused reactions.

You might want to check out allergy shots. They are effective for Cats, Dogs, Dust mites, Grass pollen (basically this is hayfever); Tree pollen (also hayfever). This would reduce the number of allergens in your life and then you would only need to worry about the food allergies; The rest of them - nuts, eggs, salmon, and cod - sounds like you may be allergic to the fat in them. They are all high in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. So, be sure to read the labels of any skim products; since many of them add these fatty acids to soaps, gels, lotions, cosmetics, etc. For most people these fatty acids are good for the skin; but, in your case they would probably make your eczema worse. Actually, the very fact that you have eczema is a sign that you have allergy problems.