Please explain to me why people think this is weird?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Ok. Maybe I am just not seeing it, but why do most people think it weird that I am allergic to oranges? I go to the doctor to for a visit and they ask what I am allergic to, I say oranges, the MA's or nurses look at me like I am nuts or like they have never heard of that before.

People have allergies to weird things but whats so weird about oranges.

Also, can anyone answer this for me because I keep getting 2 different answers:

1 pediatrician has told me that my allergy to oranges will be passed to my son, the next pediatrician says that there is no chance.

Who should I believe?

I am believing my motherly instinct and not letting him have oranges until he can tell me that he does not feel well after eating an orange. If I ingest any type of orange, I break out in severe hives, get an excruciating migraine, vomit, pass out, the works. So of course I am going to be protective of my son. Sorry, I had to vent about that, I am just frustrated because nobody seems to believe me about the allergy to oranges.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

Is it oranges only or all citrus fruits?

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Actually, it happens if I eat grapefruit, but not lemons. I know people have found that odd.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Hmmmm...I personally have never known anyone allergic to oranges but heck, people can be allergic to anything!! My son is allergic to strawberrys 36_11_5.gif he breaks out in hives and it is aweful!! I wouldn't be so bold as to say that your son would automatically have the same allergy, although they are known to be hereditary your son may not have gotten that from you. I would be cautious with what he eats, and at least you are aware of signs and symptoms if he does have a reaction!! Good luck to you and your little one, I know it is not fun having any type of allergy!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I'm so happy to meet someone else that has an allergy to oranges!! I've been allergic to oranges and orange juice since i was a kid. And no, I'm not allergic to any other citrus fruits, not even tangerines or clementines. It's kinda weird, but I've learned to deal with it. I've never been hospitalized so I've never had to tell a nurse or doctor about this, aside from my regular family physician. But I don't understand why you should get a weird look about it!! People are allergic to all sorts of food and even more random things, oranges are no big deal. As for passing it on to your son, I can't help you there. But good luck with everything!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

It is an odd and uncommon allergy. Why not accept that and let other people react as they may without worrying about it? Enjoy being unique!

Probably a good idea to not give your kid oranges just yet.

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What kind of reaction do you get when you eat an orange?

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

Not so rare, according to http://www.mamashealth.com/allergies/:

Twelve of the most frequent food allergens are: milk, caffeinated and decaffeinated drinks (chocolate, coffee, tea, and colas), eggs, cereals (especially corn and wheat), oranges and orange juice, tomatoes and tomato juice, meat (pork, beef, chicken), fish, nuts, vitamin preparations, drugs and food additives.
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Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.

I agree with Tweety...enjoy being unique..and consider yourself lucky -

One of my best friends is allergic to benadryl....

no that's not a typo...

You can be allergic to just about anything natural or synthetic...

;)

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People can definitely be weird about other people's food allergies. I was allergic to cow's milk & milk products for 6 years (outgrew it! yay!) and I pretty much got one of two reactions from people when I told them about my food restrictions: "oh, you're lactose intolerant?" (not the same!) or "I could never give (insert milk product here) up!"

I still have multiple food allergies, some that are pretty unusual- I think allegies like nuts, peanuts, eggs, and other more common allergies "make sense" to people without allergies in a way that allergies to other foods don't. I'm allergic to beef, pork, almonds, carrots, honeydew, cantaloupe, and all fruits with pits (cherries, plums, peaches, etc). The carrot allergy and the meat allergies are the ones I get the most interesting reactions to!

It's tough enough having food allergies, and it can be very frustrating when you get those kind of reactions from people.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU.

I was allergic to oranges as child and outgrew it. But I am allergic to corn and shrimp. I am also allergic to tetnus and predisone...nobody believes me about these last two.

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Specializes in EC, IMU, LTAC.

I'm allergic to avocado and watermelon, which runs in the family. These cause my lips and throat to swell and itch. I can eat them ok as long as I pop an antihistamine beforehand though.

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