Friday Five: Ah-Choo! Edition
Mary Beth, our host for today's Friday Five over at RevGals, is allergic to ligustrum. She writes:
So, thinking about allergies:
1. Do you experience any seasonal allergies? Are you allergic to anything else? I am allergic to mold, dust, and ragweed, although over the years my seasonal allergy to ragweed has diminished a bit. In the same general family as ragweed I am also allergic to chamomile and echinacea. I can have an occasional cup of chamomile tea, but not every night. I also have issues with vitamin C (canker sores) and all acidic fruits like pineapple, some melons, oranges, etc. I get my vitamin C from veggies, I don't even take a multiple vitamin because they all contain too much vitamin C. Oh, and walnuts also cause canker sores....
2. What kinds of symptoms do you experience during your allergic reactions? Regarding pineapple, citrus, and walnuts:mouth sores and an upset stomach. The other allergies cause breathing issues and congestion, watery eyes, itchy throat. And once, while taking echinacea, I had a terrible allergic reaction and broke out in massive hives that lasted a week and required daily doses of progesterone and benadryl.
3. How do you manage your allergies? (ie: medication, avoidance, alternative therapies, etc) I take a generic version of Zyrtec, and sometimes a small dose of benadryl at bedtime.
4. What is the strangest allergy you've ever heard of? I think I have some peculiar allergies...
5. How do you feel about school and social policies that banning peanuts and other allergens? If, as a parent, my children had had bad allergies to peanuts or some other food, I would have appreciated assistance from others. Mostly, if I am responsible for another parent's child with these allergies I worry about unintentional exposure because I eat peanuts and peanut butter. I'd be very careful. So, I guess I would be ok with the ban.
Ligustrum is a type of privet hedge and it is very invasive. VERY. It's a spready green bush with leaves of various sizes and tiny white flowers of a head-piercing sweetness.
So, thinking about allergies:
1. Do you experience any seasonal allergies? Are you allergic to anything else? I am allergic to mold, dust, and ragweed, although over the years my seasonal allergy to ragweed has diminished a bit. In the same general family as ragweed I am also allergic to chamomile and echinacea. I can have an occasional cup of chamomile tea, but not every night. I also have issues with vitamin C (canker sores) and all acidic fruits like pineapple, some melons, oranges, etc. I get my vitamin C from veggies, I don't even take a multiple vitamin because they all contain too much vitamin C. Oh, and walnuts also cause canker sores....
2. What kinds of symptoms do you experience during your allergic reactions? Regarding pineapple, citrus, and walnuts:mouth sores and an upset stomach. The other allergies cause breathing issues and congestion, watery eyes, itchy throat. And once, while taking echinacea, I had a terrible allergic reaction and broke out in massive hives that lasted a week and required daily doses of progesterone and benadryl.
3. How do you manage your allergies? (ie: medication, avoidance, alternative therapies, etc) I take a generic version of Zyrtec, and sometimes a small dose of benadryl at bedtime.
4. What is the strangest allergy you've ever heard of? I think I have some peculiar allergies...
5. How do you feel about school and social policies that banning peanuts and other allergens? If, as a parent, my children had had bad allergies to peanuts or some other food, I would have appreciated assistance from others. Mostly, if I am responsible for another parent's child with these allergies I worry about unintentional exposure because I eat peanuts and peanut butter. I'd be very careful. So, I guess I would be ok with the ban.
Comments
Zyrtec is the only thing that allows me to visit friends with cats for longer than 45 min. I can actually stay for dinner!
I am reminded of a time when I made cookies for a dorm meeting when I was in college. Chocolate chip, but I substituted half of the shortening with peanut butter. It didn't occur to me to say anything about this until someone took one bite and instantly her throat swelled. She asked about peanuts, I said yes, and she cried, "Oh My God!" and ran to the infirmary. She was there for three days. I try to ask if there are things people can't eat when I prepare food, as a courtesy and my own sensitivity to being responsible for someone's well-being!
So, thanks...and I won't give you any strawberries when I see you next! Thanks for playing.