Monthly Archives: October 2020

Allergic to Sweat? Here’s What You Need to Know

 

To achieve a healthy mind and body, one must have a regular dose of healthy food and exercise. Some lift weights, while some people do cardio exercises such as running, jumping rope, and cycling. However, some people need to be extra cautious when doing intense physical activities because it can lead to some adverse health effects.

For example, those who suffer from asthma may have to be more careful when exercising. They might also have to bring their asthma treatments in handy just in case something happens while they are doing intense workouts. It is also best to consult an asthma doctor first before engaging in any physical activities.

Aside from asthma, some people experience allergies due to their sweat and getting too hot. Can you imagine getting allergic reactions just because you feel hot and sweaty? Unfortunately, this can be just as common as food and pollen allergies. Nonetheless, you should have yourself checked by an allergist for proper treatment.

What you need to know about “sweat allergy”

The technical term for this type of allergy is Cholinergic urticaria or cholinergic angioedema. In layman’s term, it is also called sweat allergy or heat pumps. Basically, this condition occurs due to increased body temperature and resulting in itchy hives. It is not clear what exactly causes this type of allergy. However, it is said that it is the body’s reaction to sweat.

There is a higher chance of having this condition if you are suffering from other allergies such as eczema, hives, or asthma. People who have CU experience mild to life-threatening symptoms. Common symptoms of CU include the following:

  • Hives (generalized urticarial)
  • Swelling (angioedema) around the lips and face, or the tongue or throat in worst cases
  • Hypotension (low blood pressure)
  • Bronchospasm

If you notice these symptoms, make sure to visit an allergy specialist doctor to help treat your allergies. You might also need to undergo allergy testing to confirm the real cause of your allergies.

What causes Cholinergic urticaria?

This type of allergy usually happens in a flash after the person gets too hot or starts to sweat. It can occur on different parts of the body especially the arms or the torso. The rash would also feel itchy and even some burning sensation and resemble swelling. On a positive note, these rashes due to cholinergic urticaria will eventually fade as quickly as they appeared.

However, some may experience other symptoms aside from rashes, such as:

  • Diarrhea
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Stomach cramps
  • Breathing difficulties

As mentioned, cholinergic urticarial occurs when the person gets sweaty or too hot. But other factors can trigger CU such as:

  • Eating spicy dishes
  • Stress/anger
  • Fever
  • Sun exposure
  • Hot baths/sauna/hot tubs

These factors can increase body temperature, making the body hot and even sweaty, hence the possibility of having CU.

How to deal with “sweat allergies”

If you notice the abovementioned symptoms, make sure to consult an allergist doctor immediately. You should also undergo a series of allergy testing such as warming test and exercise test to confirm the diagnosis of CU. Treatment might also vary depending on the person.

Some would have to take meds while others have to change their lifestyle 360 degrees. This means avoid heavy exercises that can make them sweat a lot, not eating spicy foods, and not going to spas and saunas. You should also manage stress and anger through meditation and going on therapy.

You might also have to adjust your diet and avoid foods that can trigger CU. This include:

  • Alcohol
  • Dairy (ex. milk, cheese, etc)
  • Vinegar
  • Nuts
  • Canned foods and others with additives
  • Seafood
  • Salty foods

It can be more challenging if you live in a tropical country where the sun is often around. In such a case, you need to have antihistamines on hand as prescribed by your doctors such as cetirizine, loratadine, or beta-blockers.

Prevention

If you experience allergic reactions due to CU, say, during exercise, slow down or stop as needed. Take a cool shower or cool off while standing in front of an electric fan or go to an air-conditioned room. Relax and avoid stressing yourself. Visit an allergy clinic in Manassas for immediate treatment of your condition.

What You Need to Know about Peanut Allergies

It is said that around 1 million children in the US suffer from a peanut allergy. Out of these statistics, only about 20 percent of them will outgrow their peanut allergies. Nonetheless, it is best to avoid peanuts and other food that contain this ingredient. It is also better to visit an allergy physician to help deal with your allergy issues.

Those with peanut allergy might suffer an adverse allergic reaction once they ingested even a small amount of peanut. Some common peanut allergy reactions include skin hives or swelling, stomach, or digestion problems. In the worst cases, peanut allergies can cause potentially life-threatening reactions such as airway constriction and inadequate blood flow.

Facts about peanut allergy

Here are basic but important facts about peanut allergies.

  1. Peanut allergy is one of the most common allergies, especially among children.
  2. Food allergies including peanut allergies can be potentially deadly. It can cause breathing difficulties, low blood pressure, and anaphylaxis in the worst cases.
  3. There are about 3 million people in the US who are suffering from allergies due to tree nuts and peanuts.
  4. Tree nuts include almonds, cashews, and walnuts. On the other hand, peanuts are actually legumes, the same as peas and soybeans.
  5. A lot of people suffer from allergies throughout their lifetime, children and adults alike. However, about 20 percent of kids eventually outgrow their allergies.
  6. You are more likely to have an allergy (including peanut allergy) if it is in your genes.
  7. It is better to introduce peanuts to children at a young age. However, there should still be cautious when doing so to prevent the onset of allergic reactions.

How to prevent reactions due to peanut allergies

To prevent peanut allergies, you need to consult an allergy specialist doctor for proper treatment. You would also have to undergo allergy testing to confirm whether your allergies are indeed due to peanuts.

Aside from tests, you may also have to keep a food diary to track your food intake and medications taken in case of an allergic reaction. If you already know that peanuts are the culprit of your allergic reactions, make sure to get rid of it from your diet.

You can also use this method to confirm whether it’s the peanut that’s causing the allergies. Do not eat peanuts or food that contain even small traces of peanuts for at least a week. After that, you can slowly reintroduce it to your diet and see if you experience any adverse reactions when you do eat one later on.

Palforzia: The answer to peanut allergy?

Around the first quarter of 2020, the US FDA has approved Palforzia for peanut allergy treatment. The said medication aims to minimize the adverse effects of peanut allergy symptoms such as anaphylaxis. It can be taken by patients as young as 4 and above.

Common treatments used for peanut allergies include epinephrine and antihistamines. However, these treatments may not prevent severe symptoms even if taken in the right dosages and as per schedule.

Taking Palforzia requires three phases. First, is the Initial Dose Escalation. In this phase, this treatment is given for a day. The second phase, the Up-Dosing, requires multiple dosage levels in a course of several months. It should be taken under the supervision of a knowledgeable allergy physician for the proper way of taking the medication. The third and last phase requires maintaining the dosages at home.

Just make sure to monitor the treatment of any adverse reaction. If there is, the patient should discontinue taking the treatment. Ironically, California is made from peanuts and comes in capsule and powder forms. It is then mixed with pudding, yogurt, or other semisolid foods. Make sure to consult an allergist doctor first before taking any allergy treatments.

Conclusion

Peanut allergies are only one of the many types of food allergies. Some may experience only mild symptoms while others may experience extreme ones. Also, make it a point to check food packaging labels to prevent possible allergic reactions.

Consult an allergy physician for any allergy-related concerns. An allergist in Manassas should be able to diagnose a possible peanut allergy and recommend the best treatment for it. Contact one today for your peace of mind.

Can Allergies Disappear and Re-appear?

Not everyone has allergies, but one thing is for sure: it can affect anyone regardless of gender, age, and race. At some point, a lot of people will experience some kind of allergic reaction that can affect their quality of life. Some of these allergies happen as early as their childhood days, while some happen during adulthood. Nonetheless, allergies can be detrimental to one’s quality of life.

Do you also suffer from some kind of allergy? Make sure to have it consulted with an allergist doctor. You would have to undergo allergy testing to determine the root cause of your allergic reactions. If you are experiencing potentially life-threatening allergic reactions, head to your nearest allergy clinic immediately.

A rite of passage?

We all know how inconvenient it is to have allergies. You might not be able to enjoy spring due to pollens floating around the outdoor air. Or you might not be able to eat your favorite food because you are allergic to its certain ingredient, say, peanuts, or a spice. You would have to consult an allergist specialist to help you treat your allergies.

For starters, allergies occur as our immune system’s reaction to certain allergens like pollen, pet dander, and so on. Ideally, there should be no reason for your body to react to various things. But for some reason, a lot of people develop such intolerance to certain elements or ingredients hence the onset of allergic reactions.

Being allergic to something is one of the most common medical conditions that affect millions of people around the world. It can happen in your childhood, while some may experience it in their teens or during adulthood. If you have not experienced allergies but are experiencing its symptoms, better have yourself checked with an allergy doctor immediately.

Can allergies occur during adulthood?

It does happen in many cases. For example, you grew up having pet dogs or cats at home until you reach early adulthood. Then you leave for college, return home during the break, but you find yourself sniffling around your beloved family dog. However, the reverse can happen to other people, too.

Some people may be allergic to pollen or pet dander before but might have disappeared later on. Most likely because you have already built a tolerance to those common allergens. There is also some allergy specialist doctor who also says that the more you get exposed to allergens, the more likely you will be immune to it later on.

So why do allergies appear and disappear later on (or vice versa)?

Allergies can be weird sometimes. Some may have it during childhood while others have it for the first time during their teenage or adult years. Some experience allergies before but disappear at some point as if it did not happen at all. But there might be reasons why such a phenomenon happens.

It might have something to with age.

Some experts believe that allergies disappear as we age. It can be because we get used to a certain allergen or have built a tolerance to it over time. However, some people might experience the worse effects of allergies due to age.

It can also be caused by stress.

Stress can be detrimental to our health and also can cause allergic reactions. The more you are stressed at work or personal matters, the higher the chances of allergic reactions. Not to mention your immune system will crash and make you sick easier. That is why regular exercise and a healthy diet is a must for a stronger immune system.

The weather may also have something to do with your allergies.

Due to climate change and higher CO2 levels that a lot of plants spew a lot of pollen which is also a common allergen. Temperature swings also cause various illnesses such as inflammation of the sinus which can also cause allergy-like symptoms. There is also a higher chance of getting allergies if you live in a city than in the countryside or a suburban area.

Conclusion

Having allergies is no joke. It can affect the quality of your life. You also have to be always cautious of what you eat or avoid anything that can trigger your allergies. In such cases, you should consult an allergy specialist doctor for proper treatment. Make sure to have allergy testing in Germantown MD so you get treated as soon as possible.