9 Everyday Items You Might Be Allergic To
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 50 millions of Americans have experienced a certain type of allergy every year.
By now, we’re all aware of the most common allergens such as pollen, dust, pets or peanuts. However, there are many other factors that could trigger this reaction – and some of them are far more commonly used than you would think!
Today, we’ll have a look at 10 everyday objects that might trigger an allergic reaction.
9 Common Things You Might Be Allergic To
Jewelry
One of the most surprising things on our list, jewelry can sometimes trigger an allergic reaction.
Silver-colored jewelry, for example, is usually made with nickel. This material is one of the most common causes for allergic contact dermatitis, an itchy skin rash. In fact, 17% of women and 3% of men are suffering from a nickel allergy*.
*Note that the percentage difference is only caused by the fact that women wear jewelry more frequently, which makes the condition easily detectable.
In order to test whether jewelry is the real cause behind this issue, you can simply switch to items made of real silver or gold. In rare cases, though, gold can also trigger an allergic reaction – especially if you’re also wearing plenty of makeup. How?
Kevin McGrath, MD, spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, explains that the chemicals found in most makeup products can break down the gold which might lead to skin reactions.
If most jewelry out there causes allergic reactions, platinum may be your best fit.
Smartphones and tablets
Well this would be pure bad luck, wouldn’t it?
Unfortunately, people with metal allergies have a very difficult time using tablet devices, PDAs or cell phones. That is because, once again, most of these devices include nickel and cobalt (common allergens) – and that includes iPhones and iPads.
According to Dr. McGrath, the most common symptoms are rashes on face, years and hands along with eye irritation if you touch your eyes after using the phone.
What’s even worse is that once you develop a metal allergy, you’ll have to live with it for the rest of your life. However, anyone should be perfectly safe using such devices as long as they have a protective case on.
On the bright side, most allergies out there can be reversed through allergy shots. Our post here covers 9 Things EVERYONE Should Know About Allergy Shots.
Flea market furniture
If you’ve already been diagnosed with a dust or mold allergy, you should think twice before bringing any pieces of furniture into your home – especially if we talk about sofas, chair or beds.
Donna S. Hummell, MD, medical director of the Vanderbilt University Asthma, Sinus, and Allergy Program, explains that non-washable fabrics or carpets can gather plenty of dust mites and mold spores. If such furniture is heavily contaminated, your allergy symptoms can worsen dramatically.
No matter how good an item might look, it’s best to think twice before using it. If you truly want a certain item, you could double check whether that certain piece of furniture can be properly cleaned or not.
