Living with an allergy can be a challenge, and it’s easy to feel at times as though it’s something of an ongoing battle. This is even more true for people with rare allergies. However, it’s often not a battle that needs to be fought alone.
Roughly 30% of the world’s population is thought to have an allergy of some description. What’s more, allergies can affect anyone and are no respecter of status or situation. Even some of the world’s best-known celebrities have been open about their struggles with allergies, which shows that even the best treatment money can buy isn’t entirely effective all of the time.
The most common among these are rhinitis allergies, which affect the nasal passages and airways and can be triggered by pollen and animal dander. However, allergies can take on many forms and be triggered by a variety of substances.
Because allergies are so common, though, the term ‘allergy’ is often used interchangeably to describe conditions that are quite different. Coeliac disease, for instance, is frequently incorrectly referred to as an allergy, as Watch Mojo points out. Similarly, food intolerances and IBS aren’t strictly allergies, but they are often grouped with them because they share somewhat similar characteristics.
For some, the term ‘allergy’ has even become a way to describe a dislike of a certain food or substance. Sadly, such loose use of the word can breed skepticism. Consequently, when someone says that they have an allergy, it’s not uncommon for the other person to have doubts. This can be a point of frustration for those with genuine allergies, and even more so for those whose allergies also happen to be very rare.
With this in mind, here are four rare allergies that, although they may sound unlikely, are nonetheless real and deserve to be taken seriously:
1. Allergic to Water
The given name for a water allergy is aquagenic urticaria. Symptoms of the condition, such as hives or angioedema (sudden swelling of the soft tissue), are triggered by physical contact with water. As you can imagine, this can make bathing or going out in the rain quite difficult.
Very little is understood about aquagenic urticaria, making it a hard condition to accurately diagnose, but histamine activity is thought to play a significant role. Those with the condition may need to identify specific triggers (be it salt water or water treated with chlorine) and make lifestyle adjustments with the help of an allergy specialist.
2. Allergic to Sunlight
Also known as polymorphic light eruption, an allergy to sunlight may cause skin blemishes or a rash after contact with UV rays. It’s not as uncommon as you might think, with around one in 10 people thought to be affected at some point during the year (most commonly in the early summer months).
A smaller number of people, however, experience symptoms on a continual basis, and these may be more severe. Guidance from a dermatologist may help limit symptoms, but where this does not succeed, advice from an allergy specialist is again recommended.
3. Allergic to Vibrations
The medical term for this type of allergy is much simpler: vibratory urticaria (urticaria meaning an irritable rash or hives).
This means that people with the condition may break out in hives after certain activities, such as using a drill, exercising, or clapping. Flushing and headaches have also been cited as symptoms of this type of reaction, which is thought to be hereditary, according to Everyday Health.
These symptoms may not last very long, but they can still be frustrating and prove an obstacle to everyday life. Avoiding trigger activities has been identified as the best course of action, but those with the condition may need help from their physician in finding a workout routine that doesn’t aggravate it.
4. Allergic to Deodorant
It’s actually quite common to be allergic to cosmetics. Soaps and similar products are thought to trigger contact dermatitis in up to a quarter of us.
Allergy to deodorant is a much more particular condition, however, and is not as common. Once more, this can produce hives and similar skin symptoms at the site of application, which is typically the underarms.
Known also as axillary dermatitis, this type of allergy can be frustrating to deal with, and not being able to use deodorant can create feelings of self-consciousness.
It may take time to find the right type of deodorant that doesn’t contain the offending ingredient, but a consultant allergist will be able to provide useful guidance.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk to your doctor about any health concern.