Please explain to me why people think this is weird?

vickster · Jun 7, 2006

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.

Why don't you take him in for a skin test?? You can bring an orange in to the office and the doc can prepare it and give your son the scratch test and you will know either way. Although, for an allergy to develop you generally have to be exposed more than once, n'est pas?

rhinojogger · Jun 7, 2006

__________________

"...the character of the nurse is as important as the knowledge she possesses."

I like the thought, but as a male nurse, the "she"thing sounds a bit prejudiced

country mom · Jun 7, 2006

We have a dietitian at our place who will get an anaphylactic reaction if someone even peels an orange in her presence. She carries her epi pen everywhere she goes. It's not just oranges either, raw tomatoes, and other citrus give her problems too. I've had patients who are allergic to strawberries and peaches. Sometimes people can have these products as long as they are cooked, sometimes not, depending on what element of the fruit that spurs the reaction.

allnurses Guide · Jun 7, 2006

My husband and his mom are both allergic to cinnamon. A lot of people find that strange.

allnurses Guide · Jun 7, 2006

I have heard of it before. At the hospital where I work per diem, a nurse in L+D is severely allergic to oranges-has had severe reactions and almost died. There are signs posted all over the floor by the hospital that "no oranges, orange products, or scents are allowed" on the floor. That includes lotions, citrus-based perfumes and those that have hidden citrus ingredients. Another nurse ignored the signs and brought an orange to the unit, and she was escorted off the floor.The nurse who was allergic had to go home because she could not take the chance.Better safe than sorry.

Hmmm, I need to post signs like that whenever a certain nurse is working on my unit. "No perfumes of any type, no perfumed lotions, and no spraying of chemicals of ANY kind". If this one nurse comes in contact with any of those, it sends her into absolute FITS of coughing and barely being able to breathe. There was one night not too long ago that a tech that I work with wasn't really thinking, and sprayed Lysol ALL outside the hallway of a patient that had just had a very large, stinky BM. The allergic nurse was working, and I really thought she was going to have to go to the ER.

There have been other instances when a nurse or nurse tech has been pulled to our floor, and they've been wearing perfume. Again, same result.

I know, strong perfumes and such don't belong on a medical floor ANYWAY, but... it's a SURE bet that they are going to have a terribly negative affect on this nurse, who is trying to do her job.

Warpster · Jun 7, 2006

I always had an allergic reaction to oranges when I was a kid, although mine isn't quite as drastic as yours is. In fact, I react the same way to any fruit or veggie that is high in vitamin C. I also react the same way to any multivitamin with vitamin C and a vitamin C tab someone gave me when I had a cold 35 years ago put me into the hospital.

Yes, I'm weirder than you are because I'm allergic to a VITAMIN. An allergist told me I make my own, because I show no signs of deficiency and the allergy presents as classic signs of vitamin toxicity.

It's just proof that you can be allergic to any substance out there. No one else in my family has an allergy this bizarre, and it's unlikely you'll pass it on.

Marciern22 · Jun 7, 2006

It is not weird at all. Funny thing is... I was super allergic to cats when I was little and now I'm not. I can hug all over my cat.

Another weird thing... When I was 18, I broke out in hives. I never figured out what caused it. Ever since, I break out about once a week if I don't take my Atarax every couple of days. That is weird!!!!

lilrn03 · Jun 7, 2006

This reminds me of a little girl we had that had an allergic reaction while in the hospital. We weren't sure what it was to, but she was getting worse with each benadry dose. Turned out it was red dye, the original culprit was a lollipop, the benadryl and tylenol made it worse! We had to send out for dye free meds for her.

Sue

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...

Dewgrl · Jun 7, 2006

I'm not doubting anyone, but I was advised by a doctor that I work with, that some people have "reactions" to certain things, and that they are not "true" allergies. Any idea's? I have also heard the scratch test isn't 100%, that you can have false + and false - ?

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2006

This reminds me of a little girl we had that had an allergic reaction while in the hospital. We weren't sure what it was to, but she was getting worse with each benadry dose. Turned out it was red dye, the original culprit was a lollipop, the benadryl and tylenol made it worse! We had to send out for dye free meds for her.
Sue

We think my niece is allergic to either yellow #7, red #5, and/or the combination. It all showed up after an episode involving those square orange colored crackers with the peanut butter between them that are curiously called Nabs...I've never seen someone so small with so many hives on her face, poor thing!

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2006

I'm not doubting anyone, but I was advised by a doctor that I work with, that some people have "reactions" to certain things, and that they are not "true" allergies. Any idea's? I have also heard the scratch test isn't 100%, that you can have false + and false - ?

I've heard this before too - from an allergist. He told me that "allergy" is being used much more broadly to define things that are technically reactions and not true allergies. Doesn't an allergy require activation of the complement system and a measurable histamine response?

I don't doubt anybody either, but I do wonder about correct use of the term - not that I'm 100% perfect/accurate either.

I have little doubt that someone will go postal on us for this. Oh me of little faith.

Sunnydaz · Jun 7, 2006

I understand how you feel. I am allergic to Metamucil! My PCP actually told me there was no way. I kept having problems so went to an allergist. He said it was common in LTC nurses and that it could even be life threatening! I can't be around it (can't even pour it because that creates a dust) so the patient or another nurse has to mix it for me. I think, though, that people are starting to realize how many allergies there are out there. I am also allergic to cantaloupe, bananas, poppy seed and........mustard. When I went to the allergist they explained to me what is in the mustard family. It's amazing! Many salad ingredients!