Allergy occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to substances in the environment that are harmless for most people. These substances are known as allergens and are found in house dust mites, pets, pollen, insects, moulds, foods and some medicines.
People with atopy are said to be atopic. When atopic people are exposed to allergens they can develop an immune reaction that leads to allergic inflammation (redness and swelling). A substance that is an allergen for one person may not be for another – everyone reacts differently. The likelihood (or risk) of developing allergies is increased if other family members suffer from allergy or asthma.
Uncommon Allergies
We all know someone that is allergic to pollen or wool, and even those that cannot tolerate nuts or seafood. But have you ever met someone who’s allergic to water or Leather? These lesser known allergies really do exist. They are rare and hard to diagnose, but can cause just as much if not more discomfort than the better known allergies.
Check out nine of the most bizarre allergies that allergists occasionally come across.
Glitter
“When you’re around me, you’re going to get glitter on you.” Kesha
Glitter in your clothes after a Kesha concert can be rather annoying, but the problem can be far more serious than spending an afternoon washing your stuff. The chemical compounds used to coat mica flakes to make glitter sparkle may cause hives. If glitter bothers you, the mica found in mineral makeup might, too.
Exercise/sweat
About 65% of people with an exercise allergy find that exercise induced sweat is a sufficient trigger, while the other 35% react when they combine exercise with specific foods. “Exercising in the morining before breakfast suits some folks fine, but if they exercise after they have eaten, then they break out. Symptoms may include hives, swelling, nausea, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and trouble breathing. If sounds like you, we suggest you find a reliable training buddy.
Water
Aquagenic pruritus is the official term for the extremely rare H2O allergy. Contact with water of any temperature can cause a sufferer to develop red and/or itchy skin on the arms, chest, legs, or back. Experienced allergy clinicians work closely with sufferers in an effort to develop regular hygiene routines that help to minimise discomfort.
Shoes
Allergists agree than no-one is actually allergic to shoes, rather the problem lies in one or more of the components, such as leather, glue, varnish, resins, and rubber. It can be an immune-based reaction or irritant that can be easily identified through testing.
Mobile phones
No, it’s not the electromagnetic waves that can cause a rash, but rather your phones components, and casing. Facial rashes can often be caused from a nickel allergy, which is actually very common.
Leather
Yes, you can be allergic to your purse or wallet. People who have this allergy will get contact dermatitis (a catchall term for a skin condition resulting from contact with irritants or allergens) when they touch leather goods. Any type of skin allergy can present itself the same way: itching, burning, and redness.
Touch
Some people are so sensitive to pressure that if they trace a word on their skin with their fingernail, you’ll be able to read it. (This condition is called dermatographism, which means “writing on the skin.”) Bassett estimates that this condition, which causes the skin to get itchy and red, affects about 4% of the population. Antihistamines usually help but will not cure the condition.
Cold temperatures
Jumping into a cold swimming pool or stepping out into frigid weather (without properly bundling up) can cause some people to break out in hives. Others may get dizzy and pass out, thanks to their blood pressure plummeting.
Solar Flare: Allergy to the Sun
Solar urticaria is another of the physical urticarias. Symptoms are hives caused by sun exposure. The hives can be treated with antihistamines, and avoidance of sun can prevent this reaction.” Fortunately, sun allergy is very rare. When it happens, the hive symptoms, which include stinging and itching, appear within 30 minutes of sun exposure and clear up within minutes of getting out of the sun. The reaction seems to be caused by ultraviolet light. Antihistamines can relieve the reaction but not prevent it.
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