Rubber Allergy

Many years ago, one of my dance instructors showed me her feet - it was scaly around her toes and sole.

"Aha", my first thought was a fungal infection, but tests showed it was not. Muscle testing revealed that she was sensitive to rubber products, particularly her socks. She was wearing '100% cotton' socks but since it was stretchable, I was sure it had rubber components in it. She cleverly went to hunt for a pair of socks that did not have rubber but was made of cotton spandex and simply enough, her allergy was cured.

The big problem of rubber allergy is when the rash is at your undergarment areas such as your bra region. Boxer shorts help but even that some still gets the rash and i have advised for these to go back to the 'good-old-days' undies that my dad used i.e. those which you need to tie with strings and these are specially sown. Not especially cool or fashionable, but it will help tremendously in the long run.

Lesson: The simple key to contact-based allergy is avoidance.

My learning continues...

Multiple Allergies and Growing Up

This young man first saw me at the age of 12 with very severe eczema and he was feeling terrible and really, who can blame him?

He was first diagnosed to have house dust mite, egg and milk allery and later with the help of his mum and himself, we gradually realised that he also had chrome, nickel, alcohol, detergent and mint allergy. That's quite a number.

His condition improved with time but he was not happy as he was the smallest boy in class and by 15 had not attained puberty. I assured him that with the elimination of his allergies, he would grow. Of course, being the awkward age of 15, I wasn't sure if he believed me.

Imagine my pride that he is now grown and training for a triathron! In fact when I met him at the park where I have my weekly walks, he challenged me for a race (with handicap of course... I'm past my prime) with the bet that if he won, further medical fees would be waived. Clever boy.

Because he was getting better in the course of his treatment, he also mentioned that he wanted me to stay alive as long as he lives so that he would always be well. What a compliment, I thought.

Allergies May Have Multiple Causes. Doctor and Patient Detective Collaboration Helps.

My learning continues.

Food & Acne

Having those pesky pimples in your teens is such a nuisance.

Apart from mediacation for the treatment, there are those who develop acne as a the result of using the wrong facial products or taking drugs which predisposes to pimples. There are also those whose acne are actually are caused by sensitivity to certain foods. In all the cases I test them for any food that can aggravate or cause them. Generally, the food to avoid are:

• fried food
• nuts
• chilis
• chocolates
• caffeinated drinks

Also remember to cleanse your face which tends to be greasy as often as your can especially after when you sweat.

Certain Foods Are Best Avoided When You Have Acne

...and my learning continues

General Allergy Advice

I need to stress this particular point that allergy begets allergy and this is the 'Allergic March', meaning that the allergy can become worse, other allergies may appear or you may become allergic to new substances.

I recently consulted a young 3-year-old girl who was having yeast allergy and did fantastically well with treatment. However, the allergy returned when her mum gave her some sour plum to eat.

SOUR PLUM??

For a 3-year-old??

Oh well.

My general advice for allergy would be:

• to avoid at all cost the food you or your child is allergic to
• not to introduce any other foodstuff which does not add any value to the child or your health such as junk food, flavored drinks and food and processed foods (these have preservatives, coloring and binding substances that should be avoided)
• to consume good fresh food, fruits and vegetables
• to avoid using complex soaps, shampoos, toothpastes and supplements (they are not unnecessary unless detected that they are short of them - to be discussed later)

For Allergic Persons, Simple Is Good

… and my learning continues.