Allergy to down? Wool? How to confirm?
August 14, 2015 7:24 PM   Subscribe

After thinking I had major sinus problems for the past year, I now think I'm allergic to down and/or wool. (Based on intense facial pain, headache and congestion for the entire day after sleeping with those beddiings, and none without- I just did a personal 3 day experiment). However, I did allergy tests this year and they came up negative. Can you get specific testing for these items? Has anyone experienced this? Do allergies really just appear at 'a certain age'? If so, can anyone recommend a good allergist in NYC?
posted by bquarters to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)
 
For me, it's dust in my down. A wash and very good sun dry with lots of fluffing does the trick. Same for pillows (much worse for me with dusty down pillows). Is your bedding dusty?
posted by Thella at 7:40 PM on August 14, 2015 [1 favorite]


Try extending your personal experiment to two weeks. Spend two weeks without the offending items and then reintroduce them into your life. This seems to be the gold standard time for determining if you are really allergic to something. Allergies do suddenly appear and disappear, which makes living with allergies a rather more exciting game than one would think. Ask me about how I realized I was allergic to wine!
posted by djinn dandy at 7:42 PM on August 14, 2015


Response by poster: I replaced pillows and bought synthetic allegedly hypoallergenic down for my apt, however I'm away from home now. Ironically I may be allergic to beer, wine and gin too but that's more of a quantity thing:) I don't even want to try the reintroduction because it is so painful, and I still experience it occasionally with my new bedding. I really need confirmatory specific testing I think.
posted by bquarters at 7:46 PM on August 14, 2015


When I've had allergy tests at the doctor they did two procedures: first, they pricked my forearm, just breaking the skin. Second, they injected the allergens under my skin on my upper arm. I mention this because for some allergens I didn't respond to the first test, but I did respond to the second. So make sure they do both tests.

Also, some medications, such as antihistamines, obviously, but also antidepressants, can interfere with allergy tests.

Dust mite allergies are super common. You might want to start by washing your bedding at least once a week in hot water.

Finally, at least two nasal steroids that were once prescription only are now available over the counter. Since this is what a number of allergists start with, you might want to see if they 'd help you while you wait for an appointment.
posted by girl flaneur at 8:30 PM on August 14, 2015


Also, my allergist reported that 35 is the peak age for allergy symptoms.
posted by girl flaneur at 8:32 PM on August 14, 2015


My NYC allergist is Dr Mazza (flat iron district). I'm happy with the care I've received. I'm allergic to feathers, dust and pretty much every growing thing. I had no idea until I was past 35. Make sure you have had no allergy medication for 72 hours before tests and be sure to explain the issue to the doctor. It could be an intolerance type situation in which case you may need a different type of doctor.
posted by palindromeisnotapalindrome at 10:37 AM on August 15, 2015


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