http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/allergies/ Latest NetWellness content for Allergies en-us Copyright 2007 NetWellness.org Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:12:03 PST http://www.netwellness.org/images/logo/nwlogosmall.gif http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/allergies/ <b>Question</b>: so, i been reading it not possible to be allergic to cigarette smoke. But whenever i get around it, even if it the stale smell in someone house, i get runny nose, itchy watery eyes, and sneezing. Which is all common. I get that. But can u explain the itchy rash which turns into hives, and if i dont . . .<p><b>Answer</b>: <p>Cigarette smoke can cause upper respiratory symptoms like you are experiencing as these symptoms are not specific for allergic rhinitis; patients with non-allergic rhinitis classically can have similar irritant-induced symptoms.&nbsp; If you&nbsp;have asthma or subclinical asthma (yet diagnosed)& . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: Jonathan Bernstein MD, Allergies http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/77165.htm Jonathan Bernstein MD Fri, 22 Jan 2010 03:01:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/77165.htm <b>Question</b>: i have always been told that i was allergic to penicillen as a baby i had a skin reaction to it, i have never taken it until now, i am 40 years, i was prescribed it for an infected tooth. i have been vomiting - could it be possible that this is the penicillen and should i try and get a different ant . . .<p><b>Answer</b>: Certainly, if you have a history of a penicillin reaction, you should always use an alternative class of antibiotics.&nbsp; Vomiting could be a side effect of the medication or consistent with an allergic reaction.&nbsp; There are now penicillin skin test reagents available which are excellent for d . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: Jonathan Bernstein MD, Allergies http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/77133.htm Jonathan Bernstein MD Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:01:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/77133.htm <b>Question</b>: I am 54year old male. Have RA for last 15 years. Last 9years suffering wth severe soap allergy. Very sensitive to trace of soap., will cause hives on lips, face, wherever soap comes in contact. Regularly, I have to take allegra, atarax, benedril etc as needed. Is there any effective medication or tr . . .<p><b>Answer</b>: It may be worth trying a soap without fragrance or preservatives such as vanacream if not done already.&nbsp; The cause of this reaction should be investigated further to determine the cause of these reactions by an allergist experienced in these types of assessments. <p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: Jonathan Bernstein MD, Allergies http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76551.htm Jonathan Bernstein MD Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:12:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76551.htm <b>Question</b>: Twice I have eaten a mushroom-laden dish out at a restaurant for dinner and had extremely uncomfortable nights each time (uncomfortable in different ways). The first time, I awoke in the middle of the night feeling slightly queasy. Much more alarming was that my entire body started to tremble uncont . . .<p><b>Answer</b>: These are definite atypical reactions and not classical for a food allergy.&nbsp; A more detailed history with specific testing to determine the cause of these symptoms is warranted.&nbsp; It could be a food intolerance or a reaction to&nbsp;preservatives like MSG which can sometimes cause these typ . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: Jonathan Bernstein MD, Allergies http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76219.htm Jonathan Bernstein MD Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:11:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76219.htm <b>Question</b>: I have recently found that I am severely allergic to glycerin. It seems most household products and foods contain glycerin. I see a lot of ingredients such as &quot;glycerol&quot; or &quot;glycol&quot;, etc. Are these ingredients forms of glycerin and might they produce an allergic reaction as well? . . .<p><b>Answer</b>: Allergic reactions to glycerin is very controversial and uncommon. However, glycerol and glycerine are one and the same. Glycol is any number of alcohols that to my knowledge is not cross reactive (i.e. ethylene glycol, propylene glycol...) <p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: Jonathan Bernstein MD, Allergies http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76103.htm Jonathan Bernstein MD Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:11:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76103.htm <b>Question</b>: I have been diagnosed with lichen planus and chronic fatique syndrome, following extensive testing (for lymphoma!). All doctors seemed to agree that it was caused by an allergy to mold/mildew, etc., and symptoms were alleviated by removing those. <p>Would an allergic reaction also cause numbness i . . .<p><b>Answer</b>: There is no evidence to support a relationship between your symptoms and mold/mildew exposure.&nbsp; There may be other reasons for having the symptoms you are experiencing.&nbsp; If you are concerned about environmental exposures and your symptoms there are things you can do cost-effectively to red . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: Jonathan Bernstein MD, Allergies http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76092.htm Jonathan Bernstein MD Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:11:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76092.htm <b>Question</b>: I have recently been patch tested due to dermatitis/eczema of the scalp, face, inside the ears and vagina. I have had three positive results to Dodecyl gallate, Thimerosal and Abitol. I am dyslexic and having a night mare trying to look for these things in all topical products, is there any way of f . . .<p><b>Answer</b>: <p>You doctor if he/she used the true test should have a sheet of paper associated with each positive patch test that lists products that contain the sensitizing agents.&nbsp; I would get this information from them.&nbsp; Unfortunately, at that point it is all about reading labels to make sure you d . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: Jonathan Bernstein MD, Allergies http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/75786.htm Jonathan Bernstein MD Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:10:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/75786.htm <b>Question</b>: I had a CT scan for Ischemic colitis on Sunday morning about 4 a.m. On Monday evening I broke out in an itchy red rash on my upper body. It has not improved. I have been given Benadryl and released from the hospital for the colitis. Is this normal for an allergy to the CT scan contrast medication? <p><b>Answer</b>: <p>This is a well recognized reaction.&nbsp; Usually it is more immediate at the time of the procedure but can be delayed as in your case.&nbsp; Provided there are no other causes for this rash in the future you should only get contrast if absolutely necessary.&nbsp; If it is then use low osmolality . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: Jonathan Bernstein MD, Allergies http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/75734.htm Jonathan Bernstein MD Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:10:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/75734.htm <b>Question</b>: do you have chronic clearing of the throat,and very dry cough.so muchmy throat feels raw from clearing it much so on clearing my throat it gets raw. <p><b>Answer</b>: <p>I would&nbsp;initially see an ear, nose and throat doctor to make sure there is nothing structurally going on contributing to this problem.&nbsp; If this examination is normal then you need to be evaluated by an allergist to determine if allergic and/or non-allergic triggers are causing&nbsp;uppe . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: Jonathan Bernstein MD, Allergies http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76386.htm Jonathan Bernstein MD Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:10:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/76386.htm <b>Question</b>: I`ve read the majority of times, angioderma is allergy-related. But can it also appear from a recent illness or if immune system is compromised by HPV? I`m a 60y old female who has never had hives of any kind. Just recently been diagnosed with high risk HPV and dysplasia. Last week got the flu (feve . . .<p><b>Answer</b>: From your history the swellings are most likely associated with the recent viral infection. It is unlikely that HPV is involved. If lesions persist for several weeks, consultation is warranted. <p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: I. Bernstein MD, Allergies http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/75188.htm I. Bernstein MD Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:09:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/75188.htm <b>NW Article</b>: Molds (fungi) are a lower form of plant life that cannot make their own food and therefore must feed on living or dead organic matter. Molds can grow on anything and require no sunlight for growth. They thrive in total darkness in the ground, caves or tree trunks. The wind, insects and man spread mo . . .<p><b>Ask an Expert</b>: David Bernstein MD, Allergies http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/allergies/molds.cfm David Bernstein MD Thu, 19 Aug 2004 00:08:00 EST http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/allergies/molds.cfm