I'd like to read some intelligent, well-sourced and scientifically informed books and articles on allergies (including food allergies) and whether the incidence of allergies and food allergies is on the rise. I'm an educated layperson. Can you recommend anything?
To provide a bit more context, I feel like I've heard and read a lot about allergies in recent years from news sources and friends and acquaintances, but much of the information seems suspect. To give an example, I've had people pass on information about allergies they got from chiropractors or new-agey sources. I think allergies are a real thing, but it seems like there may be lots of mis-information out there about them. I'd like read about this issue and become more well-informed, but I don't know where to start.
posted by Area Man
on Apr 16, 2013 -
6 answers
We got a new cat a few months ago, and I've noticed that I've been itching all over more and more, and I seem to be developing a rash on my arm, and possibly even some eczema on my ear. I didn't actually make the connection to the cat until this week, but the itching, etc, has been bothering me for a month or so, and I never had any of these symptoms prior to the cat.
The thing is, I haven't had any kind of sneezing or sinus or runny nose problems at all, just the itching, and most descriptions of cat allergies describe mostly people having problems with sneezing and runny nose. Is it possible to just cause skin irritation in some people?
Would Claritin or Allegra help with it? What else can I try?
posted by anonymous
on Apr 2, 2013 -
10 answers
I had hand surgery this morning under general anesthesia. About 12 hours after the surgery, I seem to have developed an allergy attack (I do not normally have allergies, but perhaps one or two attacks a year). My nasal passages are swollen and I am sneezing. Is this normal? Might it be a result of the anesthesia? I have a follow-up tomorrow, but should I be concerned this evening?
posted by blurker
on Mar 7, 2013 -
6 answers
My own father sent me to the ER because he "didn't think [I] was that allergic to peanuts." I had a near-anaphylactic attack and was lucky to make it to the hospital. Other than getting the heck out of here and not speaking to him ever again, what would you do? How do I cope with this anger and bitterness? The clincher- my entire family except for my also peanut allergic sister sides with him.
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Mar 2, 2013 -
36 answers
We are going to Portland, Oregon next week. I am a vegetarian. I am allergic to corn and soy. My partner is an omnivore who eats everything except marzipan and raw animal/ocean flesh. What (aside from Natural Selection) are our can't-miss restaurants? Bonus for desserts! A few more details after the cut...
[more inside]
posted by rednikki
on Feb 1, 2013 -
7 answers
How seriously should I be taking the black mold that is growing in my Pacific Northwest apartment?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Dec 21, 2012 -
25 answers
Our bed has reached the end of its life. Best foam bed setup for side-sleeper comfort, cool sleeping, and allergy symptom reduction? We're considering latex.
[more inside]
posted by moira
on Nov 20, 2012 -
7 answers
I am allergic to cats. I need to live with cats in a few months. Before I pay for a doctor appointment, I would like to hear about some potential allergy prevention/treatment options and about the likelihood of getting over my allergies from anyone who went through this.
[more inside]
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be.
on Nov 7, 2012 -
35 answers
Tonsillectomyfilter: What are some soft foods that contain no fruit, corn syrup, or dairy and taste all right at room temperature?
[more inside]
posted by troika
on Nov 5, 2012 -
27 answers
Anyone recommend a family doctor in Vancouver/Burnaby? One that can deal with allergies would be nice. Or at least give me suggestions on how to get one, because I've never done this before.
[more inside]
posted by Hawk V
on Sep 26, 2012 -
2 answers
I have a rather serious mold allergy. How should I go about finding a mold-free (or almost mold-free) apartment in Chicago?
[more inside]
posted by randomname25
on Sep 16, 2012 -
3 answers
I suspect there is hidden mold in my new apartment. How do I know for sure, and what do I do to remove it/get the manager to remove it? I'm allergic so letting it be is not an option.
[more inside]
posted by randomname25
on Aug 31, 2012 -
16 answers
Why is one of my cats capable of causing great sneezing and burning eyes from mere contact, and the other seemingly powerless to cause more than a little itchy nose if hair is practically inhaled? Obligatory photos at the end.
[more inside]
posted by routergirl
on Aug 23, 2012 -
13 answers
I have some diet restrictions, I'm looking for a cruise line that can accommodate them for our Honeymoon next June.
1. I need gluten free options
2. I need gluten free & vegetarian options (IE, soups without meat & gluten, or salads etc...)
3. I need the meat to contain no addativies, injections, brines, etc... it needs to be all natural (ex, like sprouts or wholefoods)
I've found carnival has options 1 and 2, but not 3.
Any cruises that can meet all 3?
General allergies: fish, nuts, some citrus, sulfites
posted by snow_mac
on Aug 1, 2012 -
5 answers
Is it possible to be allergic to just one specific type of fish? Is this even an allergic reaction? NSFLunch details inside.
[more inside]
posted by Grither
on Jul 12, 2012 -
12 answers
I have sleep apnea, so I use a full-mouth mask when sleeping. I also have bad allergies, and I have found that for the last week or so, I'm waking up in the middle of the night, sneezing a bunch of times, and immediately get a stuffed nose that I can't clear, so I sleep the rest of the night without my mask. Any tips to combat this (meds don't help), either to keep me asleep, or help me once I wake up?
posted by evadery
on Jun 22, 2012 -
15 answers
I'm not a mom, pregnant, nursing, or a runner, but I do have chronic eczema. My nipples are raw, painful, crusty, oozing messes and they have been for months now. I can't be the only one who has gone through this. Please help me.
[more inside]
posted by Gonestarfishing
on Jun 14, 2012 -
29 answers
I just had sinus surgery (probably FESS) a couple of months ago, and it seems to have failed. What next?
[more inside]
posted by terrierhead
on May 29, 2012 -
4 answers
Can you make corn and bean salad without tomatoes? Even more difficult, without any citrus (i.e. lime juice) at all? What substitutions would be possible?
[more inside]
posted by Wuggie Norple
on May 25, 2012 -
18 answers
How to get dog allergens out of your car or this favor just got out of hand. Part human relations, details inside.
[more inside]
posted by ibakecake
on May 12, 2012 -
26 answers
My 3 year old seems to have seasonal allergies now. (As of about 5 days ago, NYC-area.) I don't have them and his father's were adult-onset, so I don't really know how to minimize them at such a young age. Should we be keeping windows closed at all times? Get an indoor air filter? Avoid going outside at all on high pollen days? I'm not sure how much it should change our/his life going forward.
[more inside]
posted by misoramen
on Apr 11, 2012 -
9 answers
What practical, non-medical tips do you have for pet allergy sufferers who will have to stay in a home with a pet for multiple days? Next month I'll be faced with this. Reading previous questions, I saw a good suggestion - bring your own Pillow Case. What other things do you do when you know you have to live with someone with a pet for a few days? Any nonmedical suggestions for me, the visitor, are welcome, and I'd love to hear any kooky things you have done in the past that somehow worked for you.
posted by cashman
on Mar 29, 2012 -
21 answers
Can I go scuba diving with extreme fish allergies? So, I'm taking a scuba diving class in a pool, mostly to get over my deep water fears. Now I'm thinking about getting my open water certification but I had some concerns. I have extreme fish allergies. Meaning if a fish bites me, touches me, or stings me it could cause me to have an anaphylaxis reaction (trouble breathing). That all given, can I go diving without troubles? Will I need special gear?
posted by snow_mac
on Feb 29, 2012 -
18 answers
Looking for advice about how to deal with spending a disproportionate amount of time at one person's house when in a relationship ... while my situation may be unique, I'm hoping others have done the dating-while-living-with-folks thing, or the dating-with-a-horrible-roommate thing, or dating-someone-who-doesn't-drive thing. I can feel myself getting resentful, and that's not fair - it's no one's fault.
[more inside]
posted by athena2255
on Feb 23, 2012 -
22 answers
Had a weird milk-skin contact reaction: does a skin reaction to milk warrant a further investigation into an allergy to ingested dairy products?
[more inside]
posted by NikitaNikita
on Feb 6, 2012 -
9 answers
Has anyone heard of a margarine allergy? I normally cook with butter. Occasionally I'll be out of butter and will have to use margarine (I don't buy - my friends do). The problem is that every time I use it, it ends-up badly. I used a teaspoon of it this past weekend to fry breakfast in a skillet. Shortly thereafter I had...well, let's call it an explosive reaction. One that caused such abdominal pain that I was pretty much incapacitated for the rest of that day (and half the next) and almost broke-down to go to the ER.
[more inside]
posted by metaJa
on Feb 1, 2012 -
22 answers
For the past three years, my wife has been sick. constant respiratory issues that have grown into asthma and whatnot. We have been dealing with it for sometime, and it dawned on us, that it started right around when we moved into our current house ( I know, we are a bit dense).
[more inside]
posted by brent_h
on Jan 7, 2012 -
15 answers
Can I use both Benadryl cream and Benadryl pills at the same time? (And can you diagnose why I have a rash on my limbs and my ears are itchy and swollen?)
[more inside]
posted by Busoni
on Dec 19, 2011 -
14 answers
I have a red cheeked preschooler. Trying to talk to doc, but wanted thoughts from others.
[more inside]
posted by k8t
on Dec 12, 2011 -
16 answers
I have just found out I am allergic to paratertiary butylphenol formaldehyde resin (PTBFR). Now what am I supposed to wear on my feet?
[more inside]
posted by fiery.hogue
on Dec 2, 2011 -
5 answers
Something in our bedroom is affecting my boyfriend's breathing and allergy symptoms. How can we figure out the specific cause?
[more inside]
posted by pourtant
on Nov 30, 2011 -
17 answers
No one seems to be allergic to my kitten. Are people more allergic to cats than kittens?
[more inside]
posted by kerri13
on Oct 31, 2011 -
21 answers
What can I send for a kid's school lunch that doesn't need heating or refrigeration, has a super-fast prep time, and doesn't contain gluten, peanuts, or dairy?
[more inside]
posted by Andrhia
on Oct 29, 2011 -
48 answers
Are there business clothes for men without chemical "sizing"? Help my allergic friend dress for work!
[more inside]
posted by mccn
on Oct 4, 2011 -
8 answers
There is a mold or mildew problem under the kitchen sink in my new apartment. My allergies are a curse that cause me to detect smells that normal people can't, and my landlord can't smell it and thinks I might be crazy.
[more inside]
posted by Dilemma
on Sep 28, 2011 -
7 answers
Why are my allergies flaring up, and why does it react differently between food and fuzz?
[more inside]
posted by Saydur
on Sep 1, 2011 -
3 answers
