Chemical Testing For Allergies--Uck--A Rant.

[L.J.]

Hello my GFF's!

Throughout the holidays, I stayed gluten-free-- and only had my "usual" rashes. Better than before with no gluten, peanuts, citrus, etc.... Enough said about that... Here is my rant though

I went to my Allergist yesterday. He was adamant that I take all of the chemical tests. I repeatedly told him that I was very afraid of having a severe reaction. He stated that children as well as people in their 90's do the test--I did not need to be worried. Now, I know that I have chemical allergies--because I have already self-tested i.e. the primary hair dye, and formaldehyde. He stated that I needed to do them ASAP--meaning that day...I was not prepared to do them--(for those who have followed in the past-I decided to *not* do the chemical testing on New Years Eve. I felt good about that decision.

He was very unhappy about it. I then told him about a rash on my ears that does not go away. My ears get very red, scaley, itchy and I constantly put lotion on them. I thought about what I most often have around my ears--hair (gluten-free shampoo/conditioner), cell phone--Hmmmmmm So I brought it up to him. Showed him my phone--and he stated that I was allergic to rubber (the case around the cell phone is made of rubber). Sure enough, right where the rubber case touches my ears is where the "itching ick" is. He gave me three handouts--because there are 3 types of rubber that people can be allergic to. He said to take off the case--(Duh I think I figured that out by this point in the conversation).

He then repeated that I needed to do the chemical tests. And said to call him when I was ready to do the tests. He tried to be kind--but then gave me a spray for my nose (again) because it is "stuffy". He also said to get rid of my 3 cats--as I am allergic. I am aware of being allergic to them--but they are very old--and will be "passing soon enough" without me doing it now. He was not understanding of this issue.

He said he would see me soon. I get to the front desk, and he wanted a follow-up appt in TWO MONTHS! I almost fainted. I walked in with rashes on my arms--back--ears--but his message was clear. He basically was not going to "treat" me regularly until I did his freeeeeeking chemical test!

Aaaacchhhh! So I left his office crying--and feeling very helpless. Frantic. Does anyone have any feedback to give me? I am feeling kind of depressed

So I am editing a bit more...since rubber of the most common kind (i.e. cell phone case) also means all elastic, headphones, rubber bands, .... Now, this is kind of personal--but what kind of under-garments do *not* have elastic in them???? Where the elastic is in the garments is also where I have rashes. Any ideas about this problemo? Going without is not an option

[GFinDC]

Hi LJ,

I guess banana leaves are out eh? Sorry, not much help for the undies thing here . I am kind of partial to those ones they paint on myself, being an artist I like that painting stuff ya know. Well, I am totally useless for your situation I guess, but please take a look at this thread started by Riceguy on allergies. Especially the post he made with several links about anaphylactic reactions and quercetin. Very interesting stuff there. One thot tho, how about that skin in a bottle stuff? I think they call it Nu-skin or something? Or gloves in a bottle? Nu-skin is for healing cuts, and it is used to isolate the area from the environment for a few days while the skin heals. Might be helpful a little. I don't know if the gloves in a bottle stuff would help or not, but it might. Artists use it sometimes to protect their hands from chemicals.

http://www.celiac.co...lergy-vaccines/

[L.J.]

Hi FP!

Thanks for responding...The banana leaves are out true! I have tried the Nu-Skin product--might help but there appears to be a "referral response" to outward areas around the elastic. Like the cell phone cover, it was primarily on my ears, but also behind and under my ears down toward the neck. Uch.

Any thoughts about the chemical testing?

I do like the link you referred me to....Very interesting. I am going to re-read it. It fits me to a tee from what I can see!

[GFinDC]

Hi LJ,

I guess it depends on how you feel about the testing. It might be a quick way to figure out other triggers. So that would be good. If you don't get the testing, you may get surprised some day by a reaction. Are you prepared for that now? Since the cell phone thing didn't become obvious until he asked you about it, maybe it makes sense to go ahead and get tested. You would be in his office for the first hour or two right? So if you did react you could get help right away or have the test patches removed. Maybe it's better than wondering what unexpected things might cause a reaction?

[GottaSki]

I feel like "Horshack" ---

LJ....histamines - took me for freaking ever to understand -- I will pm you some links - on my cell cuz kids killed my computer today - if you don't hear from me - a gentle nudge is always welcome

[1desperateladysaved]

I think that 100% cotton elastic is available at the fabric store. It might be installed in some garments which are for sale.

[L.J.]

Hi FP, I don't know...I am feeling a better about the rubber allergy today--not so gloomy Now I am figuring out where all of the rubber is in my house.... I don't know about the testing. (Although he did say If I had strong reactions I could take them off)...I will keep thinking about it! I know that I hate surprises that pop up on me--but I would like to clear out the elastic issue/rubber problem first! Thanks for the feedback--as always!!!!

Hi LJ,

I guess it depends on how you feel about the testing. It might be a quick way to figure out other triggers. So that would be good. If you don't get the testing, you may get surprised some day by a reaction. Are you prepared for that now? Since the cell phone thing didn't become obvious until he asked you about it, maybe it makes sense to go ahead and get tested. You would be in his office for the first hour or two right? So if you did react you could get help right away or have the test patches removed. Maybe it's better than wondering what unexpected things might cause a reaction?

I feel like "Horshack" ---

LJ....histamines - took me for freaking ever to understand -- I will pm you some links - on my cell cuz kids killed my computer today - if you don't hear from me - a gentle nudge is always welcome

GottaSki, Are you feeling like Horshack (meaning itshay) now???? I would love the links--so I will look forward to getting them (if I can find them! Thank you!

I think that 100% cotton elastic is available at the fabric store. It might be installed in some garments which are for sale.

Hi--Diane? 1desperateladysaved! I tried to find your blog--but couldn't -- (I am IT challenged)... Ohhhhh, 100% cotton elastic to be sewn in all my undies???? I am still working on the easy ones!

[L.J.]

Oops, my first try at multiquotes--It did not turn out so well! I hope you all can make sense out of it!

On the up side--I have found that the shower cap is causing the rash on my forehead--My brush has rubber on it--and every time I use it have been itching--Time to find replacements for those two things....

The undies problem that 1desperatesaved lady suggested is a good one--Just overwhelming to think about it. As in how do one go about doing that for bras?

Anyway, I am feeling better--and problem solving my way through this maze of allergy gunk!

FP is right in that I probably have more lurking around--but right now I am feeling a bit overwhelmed just by the rubber allergy. (Do you know it's on rubber kitchen utensils???? Those I can avoid--but it is amazing where all the rubber is....including my one small make-up applicator for eye shadow!!! Forward and onward...at least I know of one source that has been bombarding my skin! :D

[GFinDC]

Hi LJ,

Shadowicewolf has a latex allergy I think. She mentioned it recently in the funny pages. She might have some idears for ya.

[shadowicewolf]

I don't know how much help this will be but...

My allergy is no where near as bad as what your discribing. It rears its head when i use normal bandaids or if i wear gloves made of latex. From the bandaids, I get hives that last for about a week, and the gloves cause my hands to itch and turn red.

I have no issues with elastic in the underware or any other garment. You can, however, find undies without the elastic in them, as well as other clothes.

For bandaids i use the Nexcare brand. They mainly use latex free items. For the gloves, i have found a pair of lined rubber gloves, however, i am unsure of them as of right now.

From my understanding, different rubbers are used for different things. I have no issues with say, the rubber on a basketball.

[L.J.]

I don't know how much help this will be but...

My allergy is no where near as bad as what your discribing. It rears its head when i use normal bandaids or if i wear gloves made of latex. From the bandaids, I get hives that last for about a week, and the gloves cause my hands to itch and turn red.

I have no issues with elastic in the underware or any other garment. You can, however, find undies without the elastic in them, as well as other clothes.

For bandaids i use the Nexcare brand. They mainly use latex free items. For the gloves, i have found a pair of lined rubber gloves, however, i am unsure of them as of right now.

From my understanding, different rubbers are used for different things. I have no issues with say, the rubber on a basketball.

Yes, I am having to be pretty careful with the elastic. Any rubber I am leery of...(You are right--there are 3 different "rubbers" that we can react to. Most common--elastic, rubber gloves, goggles & of course, my fav: the cell phone cover!

I have some very heavy duty rubber gloves that are lined too--then, I wear my little white 100% cotton gloves inside of them with the tops of the gloves over long sleeves. In an pinch, this has worked, and it has not caused me problems! I am guessing if you have similar high quality gloves with a lining--that you might be ok!!! (I hope) Thank you for the input--I will be looking for 100% cotton everythings! :lol:

[GFinDC]

Hi LJ,

I ran across some of these Latex free bandages in my local organic market today. It looks like they make a line of latex free products. the company is called "All Terrain".

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