Contents:
- Medical Video: Boy With Severe Food Allergy Can Only Eat 7 Foods | Good Morning America | ABC News
- Unusual types of strange allergies
- 1. Red meat allergy
- 2. Allergy to sesame seeds
- 3. Skin allergy
- 4. Water allergy
- 5. Sun allergy
- 6. Sperm allergies
- 7. Allergy to exercise
- 8. Touch allergy
Medical Video: Boy With Severe Food Allergy Can Only Eat 7 Foods | Good Morning America | ABC News
Allergy is a condition in which our immune system overreacts to something that is actually harmless. Allergic triggers are called allergens, for example can be pollen powder from flowers, mushrooms, dust, animal hair, food, or certain chemicals. Although it is more common in childhood, allergies can also occur in all age ranges.When the body is exposed to allergens, the body will produce a protein called IgE, then histamine and other chemical components will be released into the bloodstream, causing allergic symptoms that you know like:
- Itchy and watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Redness of the skin or swelling
- Feeling tired
- Stomach ache
- Throws up
- Diarrhea
A person's reaction to allergens varies. A mild reaction will only cause a few symptoms, while a more severe reaction can cause flu-like symptoms and fever. The most severe reactions (often called anaphylaxis) can cause death.
Unusual types of strange allergies
You may already know several types of allergies, such as allergies to dust, cold air, animal hair, or allergies to certain foods such as eggs, milk, and nuts. In 2004, the United States through the Food and Drug Administration issued a regulation concerning the inclusion of food allergens found in food (Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act). Food companies must include warnings related to allergens if the products contain one or more of the following ingredients:
- Milk
- Egg
- Fish
- Shells
- Nuts
- Wheat
- Soybeans
But apparently, there are other types of allergies that are unusual and may be considered strange by some people, some of these types of allergies are:
1. Red meat allergy
Meat is one of the basic food sources of animal protein which is consumed by many people. Allergies to red meat include rarely found and difficult to identify. This type of allergy usually occurs due to certain sugar components called alpha-galactose on meat. If you are allergic to one type of red meat, for example beef, then there is a high chance that you will also be allergic to other types of red meat such as mutton and pork. Small children who are allergic to beef are also more likely to be allergic to cow's milk. Symptoms of red meat allergy usually appear after three to six hours, symptoms include:
- Clogged or runny nose
- Sneezing
- Redness occurs on the skin
- Nausea
- Asthma symptoms appear
The heating and cooking process in meat can reduce the risk of allergic reactions.
2. Allergy to sesame seeds
This type of allergy is very rare, in America only 0.1% of cases are allergic to sesame seeds. The reason is the type of protein found in sesame seeds. While it's easy to ask sesame seeds not included in your food, but sesame processed products such as sesame extract or sesame oil are more difficult to separate from food. Symptoms of allergy to sesame seeds include breathing difficulties, swelling in the face, throat, and mouth, until severe symptoms of asthma arise. Just like allergies to peanuts, those who are allergic to sesame seeds can experience anaphylactic shock.
3. Skin allergy
This type of allergy is usually known after you wear shoes or accessories made of leather. This type of allergy is also called contact dermatitis which is one type of eczema that can cause a reddish rash on the skin. This allergy is probably caused by a chemical compound used in the process tanning or skin coloring. The main prevention is not to use shoes or leather accessories, or if you use leather shoes you can use socks first.
4. Water allergy
As one of the basic and primary needs for humans, water allergies can be difficult and disrupt everyday life. Water allergy is also known as aquagenic urticariaurticaria is the medical language for itching that occurs when the body reacts to the source of allergies. Urticaria forms a reddish rash and is very itchy. There is no exact explanation for why a person can be allergic to water and this type of allergy is very rare. Itching due to water allergy can disappear after 15-30 minutes and the use of antihistamines can reduce the symptoms of this allergy.
5. Sun allergy
If a water allergy is called aquagenic urticariathen the sun allergy is called solar urticaria. Symptoms can be the appearance of a rash and itching and stinging. Including rare types of allergies, symptoms of sun allergy will occur about 30 minutes after exposure to sunlight and disappear a few minutes after no longer exposed to sunlight. This allergic reaction is probably caused by ultraviolet light. The use of antihistamines can reduce allergy symptoms but cannot prevent allergic reactions.
6. Sperm allergies
Including types of allergies that are very rare, this allergy is usually experienced by women. Symptoms are itching and swelling in the vaginal area after sexual intercourse. The best prevention is the use of condoms during intercourse, but couples who are in a pregnancy program can be injected to prevent allergies. If injecting therapy does not work well, artificial insemination, aka IVF program (IVF) can be the next option.
7. Allergy to exercise
There are only 1000 cases of exercise allergies reported since 1970. There are two types of sports allergies, the first type that arises because you eat before exercising, and the second type just appears without being related to food. Symptoms of allergies vary, from hives to anaphylactic shock. If you suffer from the first type of allergy, then how to treat it is to avoid eating before exercising. But for the second type, if symptoms begin to appear, you are advised to stop exercising immediately. If anaphylactic shock occurs, medical treatment until injection of epinephrine may be needed.
8. Touch allergy
This type of allergy is included in physical urticaria, also called dermographism which means writing on the skin. Name dermographism refers to the symptoms caused by this type of allergy. If you have touch allergies, you can write your name on your skin by utilizing the pressure produced by your fingernails. Pressure on this skin will cause a reddish rash and itching. Using clothes that are too tight, or even using a towel after a shower can also cause allergy symptoms to appear. Dermographism attack about 4% of the population. The use of antihistamines can help reduce the itching caused by pressure on the skin.
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