#20. Allergy To Wasps
People tend to be very careful when they see a wasp, and it is quite a common response since wasps look rather menacing. But there are people who cannot stand being near a wasp because they are allergic to it. What is rather peculiar about wasps is that they do not die after stinging one person, as bees do. In fact, wasps can sting a lot of people until they finally die. Maybe that is why they are so frightening and deadly.
But, have you wonder why do wasps sting humans? The truth is they feel threatened by us, and stinging is just their defense mechanism. A very aggressive mechanism, though. If you wave your arms to do away with them, you are only going to get them even more annoyed and you are probably gonna be stung by it, especially if it is a female wasp.
#19. Allergy To Vibrations
Allergy to vibrations is among the rarest forms of allergy, since many things produce vibrations, from an electric shaver to clapping, from a cellphone to using a drill, from an earthquake to using a lawnmower or riding a motorcycle. People suffering from this allergy may have problems in daily situations and relating with others.
Anything could be a trigger stimuli to people suffering from this allergy. They, and the people around them, must be extremely careful if they want to avoid urticarial reactions, itching, hives, headaches, swelling, and general discomfort. It is believed that this allergy may be related to epilepsy, but there is no conclusive proof to it yet.
#18. Allergy To Wood
This allergy is rare but the person suffering from it may reduce its effects very easily. Wood allergy activates when the person touches (or is near to) freshly cut wood. Fortunately, manufactured products made out of wood do not trigger any hives.
If you suffer from this strange allergy, chimneys may be a problem in winter, so you probably should bundle up a lot and keep your distance. And, of course, forests are forbidden to you. So, plan your vacations very well or buy a powerful antihistamine if you do not want to go through an excruciating experience.
#17. Allergy To Red Meat
Do not confuse this allergy with any other digestive problems related to red meat. The latter may affect many of us who prefer our meat well cooked. Don't confuse it either with the decision of vegetarians not to eat any red meat. No! People suffering from this allergy do not choose to get sick, and their problem isn't just eating but also touching red meat.
Weird as it may sound, many of the people who are affected by this allergy were at some point of their lives bitten by a tick. Most of the people bitten had never have allergy to red meat before and it just developed as a collateral effect of the bite.
#16. Allergy To Progesterone
Also known as Autoimmune Progesterone Dermatitis (APD), this form of allergy affects some women during their period, causing them to break out in hives. As menstruation and its effects weren't enough!
As a matter of fact, ADP is caused by the increase of female hormones (progesterone) and not a direct consequence of the period itself. So, these women do not have a pimple or two during "those days", but a terrible rash instead, causing their period to be a dreadful experience.
#15. Allergy To Leather
Obviously, we are here referring to manufactured leather. The reaction could be caused either by the leather itself or by some products used to dye it. People suffering from this allergy can develop eruptions in all their bodies.
Don't worry! The cow itself won't hurt you. You are safe to milk and pet it if you so desire, and no rash will affect you. Just stay vigilant... because cows sometimes kick!
#14. Allergy To Saline Solution
We were always taught the benefits of saline solution, which is very helpful in cases of nasal congestion, dry eyes, dirty contact lenses, surgery, dialysis, chemotherapy and dehydration.
Unfortunately, there are some people who must be extremely careful when they have to undergo surgeries, have a stuffy nose, or have a blurry vision since using saline solution for them could result in swelling and rashes.
#13. Allergy To Condoms
As a matter of fact, people may be allergic to certain kind of condoms, those containing traces of latex. Allergy to condoms made of latex may result in terrible anaphylaxis in your genitalia. The scariest part about this is that this is more common than people think.
Fortunately, you still can be responsible and prevent STDs by using non-latex alternatives. Such as those made of lambskin, polyisoprene, synthetic latex, polyurethane, and nitrile.
#12. Allergy To Cold
This kind of allergy, known as cold urticaria, appears when the skin is exposed to extremely cold temperatures, causing dizziness, reddening and itchiness. It normally appears after a 5-minute exposure to low temperatures and it can last up to 2 hours.
But not all people who are exposed to low temperatures will develop an allergy. The allergy is a collateral effect that affects people who have an underlying blood condition or suffer from an infectious disease. So, if you are not within a risk group, you are okay just by bundling up!
#11. Allergy To Touch
Scientifically called Dermatographia urticaria and not scientifically called "skin writing", it is a condition by means of which a simple or minor scratch leaves the allergic person with marks for hours.
The irritations in your skin may or may not cause itchiness, but they are surely gonna cause severe swelling. On the bright side, if it does not itch, you can use your legs and arms as notepads!
#10. Allergy To Humans
No, in case you're thinking about using this allergy as an excuse to skip your next high school reunion, I'm sorry to tell you that this allergy cannot affect other humans. As a matter of fact, it is a very rare condition which up to the date only affected dogs, well, one dog in particular.
Adam is a black Labrador who had its fur falling out and its skin seeping, and after several blood tests, it was diagnosed with an allergy to human dander (and cat dander as well), pollen and cockroaches. Though Adam is now on medication for the rest of its life, at least it can still be a human's best friend and be safe.
#9. Allergy To Plastic
Being one of the most dangerous substances known to Earth, PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) products can also cause allergic rhinitis, eczema and asthma. Chemical components such as phthalates and phosphites are believed to be the allergens responsible for this type of dermatitis.
As many of the things we have contact with daily are made of plastic, those who are allergic to it must be extremely careful to avoid accidentally touching it. They are recommended to use rubber gloves, unless of course... they are allergic to them too.
#8. Allergy To Sweat
Sufferers from Cholinergic Urticaria may find it difficult to exercise or even to exist during summertime, since they are allergic to their own sweat. So forget about going to that sauna your friend talked about!
It is normally caused by uneven levels of salt in your organism or hormones. People suffering from this allergy may go through nausea, hives and have difficulty breathing. This awful condition may even cause the body to go into shock.
#7. Allergy To Pregnancy
On average, one woman in 150 experiences allergy to pregnancy. This is due to the rise of hormones in the woman's body that make her intolerant or more sensitive to certain pathogens.
There is not only one trigger, and almost anything can become a potential pathogen: medicines, insect bites, chemicals, pollen, animal dander or any food. Don't worry, most of the itchiness disappears after a couple of months.
#6. Allergy To Sunlight
For sure your parents always taught you that you shouldn't expose yourself to sunlight between certain hours because it was dangerous. Well, feel lucky about it! There are many people who can't be exposed to sunlight at all, because they are allergic to it.
This allergy must be constantly treated, because total avoidance of sunlight is impossible, especially in certain seasons of the year. You would normally see this people during night hours, or covering their whole bodies even during the highest temperatures.
#5. Allergy To Cellphones
Cellphones are probably most people's best allies, but unfortunately, there are a lot of other people who can't stand being with a cellphone in their hands, and not because they are introverts, but because they are allergic to the nickel found in phones.
Cases won't help because the screen is also made of nickel. After exposure, the effects may last from hours to days depending on the person's skin and tolerance. So, unless they take all precautions, people allergic to nickel will be seen with their faces red and scratchy.
#4. Allergy To Shoes
As a matter of fact, no one has allergy to shoes per se but rather to the material of which shoes are made. For example, they could be made of rubber or leather or contain some other potential allergens like resin, varnish or artificial dyes.
People affected by this allergy often tend to rely on one brand of shoes and that brand only. If they change it, they risk getting an eruption. At least they do not spend so much money at the shoe store!
#3. Allergy To Sperm
Forsooth, allergy to sperm is a misnomer. The condition is known as Seminal Plasma Hypersensitivity and it is as serious as it sounds. Its effects are very similar to those of allergies or STDs, that's why it is easily referred to as an allergy or is misdiagnosed.
Hypersensitivity to sperm is caused by uneven levels of proteins in male sperm and it can affect both men and women. In order to rule sperm hypersensitivity out, the use of condoms is mandatory and this may cause problems if a couple is trying to conceive, which is why artificial insemination could be a solution in those cases.
#2. Allergy To Fish Odor
There are many people who get an allergic reaction when ingesting seafood, but allergy to fish odor takes the whole thing to a new level. In spite of the fact that this allergy won't give anyone any visible redness or hives, fish odor can cause them to enter an anaphylactic shock.
Your airways and lungs close up due to the vapors produced when fish is being cooked. Seafood releases some very small proteins which contain the allergens that cause the allergic reaction.
#1. Allergy To Water
Aquagenic Urticaria is one of the rarest allergies and it is maybe the most difficult to avoid. For a person suffering from water allergy, taking a bath even with cold water could be painful and leave them with a scorching sensation.
For them, everything is challenging: going to work in a rainy day, sweating, crying, doing the dishes, and the list goes on. Any type of water can flare them up in hives: fresh, tap, salt or chlorinated, and the reddening would normally last around an hour, until they have to wash their hands again.