5 surprising allergies you wouldn't expect!
By: Gabbi Di Marino, content manager and fellow allergy sufferer
When I think of allergies, the first thing that comes to mind is, of course, seasonal allergies (after all, they’ve been a part of my life for as long as I can remember). Naturally, the next thing I think of is food allergies. And while I may not suffer from any of them directly, I do have memories of having to switch my go-to fav of PB&J to a more allergy-friendly ham and cheese sandwich during elementary school lunches. Tragic, I know.
But there’s so much more a person can be allergic to than just pollen and food. In this post, I’ll be digging into 5 unexpected allergies that people around the world can develop.
Cellphones
Yep, you read that right. Although this may seem like a trick to make you put down your gadgets, this is a real condition. So how does something that most of us spend so much time on cause annoying allergic reactions for the unlucky few? Well, the metals within our beloved electronics, things like nickel (which is also commonly found in jewelry), can cause a reaction called contact dermatitis. This condition brings about annoying side-effects like rashes and swollen or itchy skin whenever a person comes in contact with a substance their skin is sensitive to (like nickel). And this problem is only on the rise according to a 2015 study!
2. Exercise
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I don’t know about you, but I’ve certainly felt like another second of a workout would be the death of me, but for the rare few, exercise-induced anaphylaxis is a real, potentially life-threatening condition. Although only a 1000 cases of this condition have been reported since the 70’s with only one case resulting in death, it does exist. Symptoms can last up to four hours after exercise and include hives, fainting, vomiting, and trouble breathing while working out.
For others, the reaction is a lot less severe. This type of condition, known as cholinergic urticaria (or more commonly called a heat rash) starts and ends only with a skin reaction - none of the other more serious symptoms like fainting and vomiting are involved. And it can also happen to anyone, even those who’ve worked out their whole lives and never experienced a reaction before! In fact, it’s estimated that 10%-20% of the population will experience some type of similar reaction in their lives while getting a good, sweaty workout in.
3. Cold weather
Although many of us might claim to have adverse reactions to harsh winters and never-ending snow (can you blame us?), some people actually experience allergic symptoms from the cold! Formally known as cold urticaria, this is a skin reaction that causes hives within minutes of exposure to cold air or water. Symptoms vary from person to person, but the most severe reactions can even cause anaphylaxis!
While doctors are stumped as to why this phenomenon occurs, young adults, those with particularly sensitive skin cells, and those with an underlying health condition, are more at risk for cold urticaria.
4. Sunlight
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The sun is something we all love to bask under (humans and animals alike), but for some, its gorgeous, warm rays can cause not-so-nice skin reactions. The most common form of a sun allergy is called polymorphic light eruption, AKA sun poisoning. Symptoms can vary widely depending on the person, but usually include redness, itching, pain, hives, scaling, crusting, or bleeding, or tiny bumps that can merge into raised patches.
Doctors don’t know why it happens, but certain medications or medical conditions can cause your skin to become more sensitive to sun exposure. But, even if you don’t have a sun allergy, it’s important to always remember to protect your skin by lathering on some good ol’ SPF.
5. Water
While this condition is extremely rare (less than 100 cases reported overall according to a 2011 study), it does in fact exist. Known as aquagenic urticaria, this type of reaction causes hives to occur when the skin is exposed to water - who knew something so essential to life could cause such a negative reaction? Water sources that can trigger symptoms include rain, snow, sweat, and even tears!
If we thought allergies were simple before, now we know better! They really are a complex collection of reactions to almost anything that we’re surrounded by, even things like sunlight and water!
Which of these allergies shocked you the most? Do you know of any other unusual allergies you’d want to share? Comment below to let us know!