Sponsor |  buckyreed | Mar 16, 2005 6:11pm | This group is for any discussion of allergies. Suggested topics are food allergies, environmental allergies, allergy treatments, and, of course, any questions regarding specific allergies or allergies in general.
My own area of expertise is in food allergies. I have a lethal allergy to milk protein, and also much milder allergies to shrimp and raw egg whites. As the dairy industry in the US has had much success with pushing the idea that cow's milk (intended for baby cows) is suitable for inclusion in damn near everything, I've learned a lot about how to read ingredient labels, test questionable foods, and handle emergencies resulting from accidental exposure. I certainly welcome any related questions...
I am also interested in getting others to post about seasonal allergies--fortunately I don't have as much experience with those. |
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|  |  119793 | Mar 18, 2005 11:47am | | gosh buckyreed, that must be terrible to have an allergy to milk protein. i couldn't imagine being allergic to milk when everything has milk in it. ( and i live off of cheese). i'm allergic to cats and i have 3 cats. i have been taking a shot now for about 2 years. prior to that time, i was constantly tired and fatiqued, and had to sleep a great deal. since the allergy shots, i'm no longer as tired. they say that having allergies can cause a person to be tired, and i sure do believe that was my case. i'm allergic to all kinds of things, molds, trees, grass, cats, dogs,penicillin. i sneeze a qreat deal, but my allergies don't really bother me. i think i am desensitized to my own cats, but still have problems when i walk into an animal shelter where i begin to wheeze and can hardly breath. i give myself a shot once a week. do you take a shot or are on any meds? i like to take benedryl as it helps with the allergies and i like that it makes me drowsy and can use it as a sleeping aid. if i touch my eyes after petting my cats, i get severe allergy eyes, but vascon A allergy eye drops work like a miracle. |
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Sponsor | | buckyreed | Mar 18, 2005 4:34pm | No, I don't take shots or other preventative meds. Although the allergists' skin tests (assays?) indicate that I'm incredibly allergic to everything mean old Mother Nature's got in her arsenal, I'm not bothered by anything except the food allergens. I used to take allergy shots twice a week about a decade ago, but I was fine with or without them, so I stopped. To my knowledge, there are no desensitization options for food allergies--at least not for ones like mine.
The only medicines I take are if I'm having a reaction to milk. Then I'm injected with loads of Benadryl, epinephrine (adrenalin), and usually some steroids (no Congressional subpoenas, please).
Snowflake, as far as your wheezing and difficulty breathing around unfamiliar cats, it can probably be alleviated with a standard asthma inhaler--delivering a bronchodilator like albuterol sulfate. I actually use one of those when I come across milk to buy me some time until I get to the hospital. They work great for opening the bronchial tubes.
And you're right, benadryl's dandy for falling asleep--as long as you don't mix it with too much alcohol! |
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| | | 119793 | Mar 21, 2005 6:55am | | hi buckyreed. i'll look into those inhalers. i have a terrible dust allergy too it seems, as yesterday i was cleaning and i inhaled lots of dust, and i was exhibiting allergy symptoms then and even now (the next day)(my eyes are all puffy) and could hardly breath last night, felt like i had a cold)felt like there was fluid in my lunges. Could that be possible? something was draining down the back of my throat. when this happens i drink boiling theraflu,and this cough syrup from canada which i highly recommend for anywone with a cold or allergies. its called Buckleys and its very effective, and i put vicks vapor rub around my nose and on my throat. i also had a prescription for tussenix liquid cough syrup (which has codiene in it) wonderful sleeping aid!!, and it tastes good too. highly recommended!! |
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| | | RedNPink | Mar 22, 2005 4:14pm | | I'm allergic to everything scented. I have ot be really, really careful when purchasing soaps, shampoos, perfumes, deodorants, laundry detergents, even cleaning supplies. If it's scented and touches me, chances are good I'll puff out like a tomato. I'm also allergic to pet dander, so leave it to my mother to be the proud owner of two precious cats and two annoying dogs. Woo, I love this house. |
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Sponsor | | buckyreed | Mar 30, 2005 4:26am | Snowflake: it's likely you reacted to either dust(mites) or mold stirred up while you were cleaning. Next time, try using a dusk mask--they work pretty well.
If you were asking if it's possible that you had fluid in your lungs, yep, it sure is. It's less likely to be from the post-nasal drip as it is just mucus production in your lungs. The idea is that the mucus will snag the offending particles for easier removal via coughing.
Incidentally, that mucus (mucous?) defense is the body's best way for dealing with allergens and infections in the upper and lower respiratory system. Unless you are in a situation where you CAN'T have a runny nose or a "productive" cough, it's best to aid this defense with an expectorant. Guaifenesin works really, really well for this. There is some guaf. in most cold medicines, but to get enough you really need to take Mucinex (I think the only such product available in the US). The adult dose is two 600mg tablets every 12 hours. I can't recommend it enough. It will help alleviate allergies, colds, sinus infections, etc. better than just about anything else.
Besides, most cold and allergy medicines contain pseudoephidrine--which is an anti-expectorant (dries you out). This is what to take if you have to give a big presentation, but it can actually prolong your problems in the end because it prevents the "flushing out" of offending materials. It also can cause heart palpitations, dizziness, and the heebie-jeebies. Avoid it if at all possible...
RedNPink: As far as your "scents"itivity (damn, I'm funny), would you please tell us which products work well for you, and also list any that are particularly troublesome? |
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| | | 119793 | Mar 30, 2005 6:23am | | hi all. today i go to get my new vial for my allergies. i let my old vial expire and i'm never reliable in taking my shots weekly like i should. i'm supposed to give myself my allergy shot every tuesday, but i usually go about 10 days before i remember to take it. my arm is always a little sore where i give myself the shot, and a little lump forms. Bucky i definately have an allergy to dustmites, dust and molds,as i remember testing positive when i had my allergy tests. i will look into getting a dust mask. but where can you buy a dust mask. i'm getting ready to get a shed for my backyard and i will be moving alot of the stuff from my house into that shed. i'm not the best of housekeepers so i know the dust will fly. i will definately need that dusk mask!! hi Red and Pink. my aunt is allergic to perfume and scents and whenever she comes around we are not allowed to wear perfume, and i hate that because i love to wear perfume, but i don't wear it out of consideration for her. Do you take allergy shots too?also bucky would you say that nc is going into the allergy season now. i'm forgetful about when the peak allergy times occur. |
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Sponsor | | buckyreed | Mar 30, 2005 6:42am | You can get those masks at drugstores and hardware stores. Or for the same price you can get 25 on eBay!
dust masks on eBay
Gotta love eBay... |
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| | | RedNPink | Mar 30, 2005 1:10pm | | As far as products go that I KNOW won't screw with my allergies - Lever 2000 sensitive skin body soap works well, and just about all Clinique products. I love their shampoos. I don't know why but Cover Girl and Revlon scent their makeups. Maybe to cover the chemical smell? But Clinique products have never done me wrong! As far as deodorants go, there's a wide variety of "sensitive skin" deodorants on the market. Unfortunately most of them are scented in some form or another, so I just test out the product on the bend of my arm or leg for a day before wearing it, otherwise I risk getting a rash which eventually leads to an infection. |
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Sponsor | | vontwiss | Apr 27, 2005 12:02am | | Thank you all for having this group. Bucyreed, Thank you especially for starting this group. It was so reassuring to type in allegies and find an actual group on stumble! Having had my first serious reaction for many years, I am so glad I had somewhere to discuss it. I did, years ago have a serious bee sting reaction and was also, very sensitive to misquito bites. So much so, that the first year they sent me to camp, I swelled up twice my size, they called my parents and everyone wanted me to go home! I did not and lived through it, but looking back, that was pretty serious! Anyway, thank you so much for being here...no problem like this is easy. But it is scary, unknown, and very ugly in most cases! To have a place to go for help, is the greatest! Thanks again, Von |
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Allergies → Discussion