People have allergic reactions to some surprising and funky things — like sex, cell phones and underwear. While everyone knows to watch out for dust mites, dairy, ragweed and the like, many people are dealing with rashes, hives and sinus issues without realizing that they have an allergy. What are some of the lesser-known things that people may be allergic to? I called Thomas Brunoski, MD, a practitioner of nutritional and preventive medicine in Westport, Connecticut.
Cell phones regularly come under fire for raising the risk of brain cancer — an assertion that has not yet been proven — but one thing we know for sure is that heavy users can develop nasty skin rashes. The condition has even been given a name. Doctors in Italy documented the first case in 2000 and appropriately categorized it as “mobile phone dermatitis.” Dr. Brunoski explained that this is because people react to nickel, which is commonly found in the exterior casings, menu buttons, headset logos and the fancy trim on mobile devices. But, he adds, while the itchy, bumpy rash may be annoying, it is usually not severe.
What you can do:You can be tested for a nickel allergy. Many more women than men have nickel allergy, probably because of exposure during ear piercings. Another place nickel is typically found is in the cheap buttons on jeans, which cause a steady stream of complaints. Some women report that putting clear nail polish on jeans buttons helps with that problem, and they suggest that a similar tactic on cell phones might be useful, although there is no data on this. Another alternative is one of the many cell-phone covers that are commercially available. Or opt for a hands-free device (e.g., a Bluetooth wireless headset or wired headset). This will protect you from both the allergy and the cell phone’s radiation.
You’ll sometimes hear people jokingly complain that they are allergic to exercise… and in fact, some actually are. If you suffer from the rare disorder known as exercise-induced anaphylaxis, a game of tennis or a jog in the park may leave you wheezing, broken out in hives or running to the bathroom in gastrointestinal distress. Dr. Brunowski finds that these reactions can be the result of eating a specific food, often shellfish or peanuts, before exercising. For these people, eating the foods in question might cause no problem. But eating them and then exercising causes a storm of symptoms. Apparently the increased blood circulation moves the allergenic food around the system several times faster during exercise. Some drugs, most often painkillers, can cause a similar reaction. It’s a rare form of severe multisystem hypersensitivity and worth paying attention to as the hives and wheezing can, in the worst-case scenario, lead to cardiopulmonary arrest. Weather conditions such as extreme heat, cold or humidity can set off this reaction as well.
What you can do:Don’t skip the gym — but do consult your physician about steps you can take to prevent allergic reactions when you work out. For example, ramp down your activity level or take antihistamines before you exercise… avoid the trigger food for 12 hours before exercise… don’t exercise during weather extremes — extremely high or low temperatures or high humidity… carry an EpiPen for emergencies.
Some women have reported suffering rashes and blistering from wearing bras — and not just because the bras are too tight for them. Formaldehyde is widely used by the clothing industry to prevent mildew from exposure to high humidity during shipments from China, India and other countries. Formaldehyde aside, many potentially allergenic chemicals go into glues, dyes and other materials used in the manufacture of fabric clothing, shoes, belts and watchbands. Some of them are allergenic and toxic in their own right and in addition release formaldehyde. You won’t see these strange-sounding chemical names on the labels. (Examples: Quaternium-15, imidazolidinyl urea, morbicid acid and methylene oxide.) You’ll know if you’re allergic if you develop a rash. Rubber, plastic and glues are among the worst offenders.
What you can do:Try natural cottons and other fabrics that are easy on your skin. If you find a manufacturer you are happy with, stick with it. Many people react to clothing when it’s brand new, says Dr. Brunoski. If you have sensitive skin, make it a point to wash new garments before wearing them, to clear out surface-adherent allergens. Dr. Brunoski says washing can be very helpful at getting rid of many offensive elements.
On the more intimate side, some individuals are allergic to latex in condoms, chemicals in lubricants and spermicides — or even a partner’s semen. Symptoms of allergy to latex in condoms or female barriers may include localized irritation. Or there may be a hives-like rash, itching and dryness on the penis or in the vaginal area. Some allergy sufferers get shortness of breath, eczema or sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose. If untreated, severe reactions can be fatal, and about a dozen people die yearly from anaphylactic latex reactions.
What you can do:Purchase latex-free condoms, and be aware of other items that may contain latex in the home. Avoid latex rubber gloves, and use nonlatex ones instead. Some other common items that might contain latex include elastic in clothing items — such as the elastic waistband in pants, underwear, sneakers, socks and pantyhose — and even office supplies such as rubber bands and erasers, rubber cement and latex paint. Occasionally toothbrushes with rubber grips contain latex.
Allergic reactions to personal lubricants are fairly common and can affect either partner. Reactions typically are local, and can include irritation and swelling, but they can also involve blisters, hives and more systemic symptoms such as skin rash and congestion. Dr. Brunoski recommends using natural lubricants for intimate activity rather than chemical ones — one good example is the brand SYLK (www.SylkOnline.com), which is made from the kiwifruit vine. Another possibility is ID Glide (www.IDLube.com), made with moisturizing ingredients that have a low allergic potential. Any one product can cause a reaction in certain people, so you might have to experiment with different brands. Many people use coconut oil, which is widely available and has the extra benefit of suppressing yeast infections.
Believe it or not, some women are allergic to semen. Being “allergic to sex” or “allergic to my husband” in this fashion is no joke, though. Allergy to semen can manifest in symptoms such as genital swelling, irritation, itching and even pain — and difficulty breathing. It is generally caused by an allergy to proteins in semen. What to do? Two types of desensitization are possible. One is allergy shots that include a small amount of the partner’s semen. The other treatment is intravaginal graded challenge— it involves a doctor placing increased amounts of the partner’s semen in the vagina at 20-minute intervals. Both treatments require that a certain level of exposure to the allergen (i.e., sexual intercourse between the partners at least two to three times a week) be maintained to be successful. Women are advised to suspect this condition if they have repeated vaginal irritation, because it sometimes masquerades as a common yeast infection and is often mistakenly treated with antifungal medication.
