Allergies and Sensitivities

I mentioned in a recent post that I learned I was allergic to mussels the hard way. I had  heard of and read stories of people with allergies to nuts and shellfish that had become very ill or died because they were unaware the allergen was in a dish or beverage. Until three years ago I .
thought my allergies were strictly environmental (cut grass, dust pollen).

I was scheduled to meet a pal for dinner at restaurant in DC.  While seated at the bar, the pal sent a text that he was running very late and to start dinner without him. I asked the bartender for suggestions and recommendations. I ordered cioppino, a rich seafood stew featuring cod, shrimp, squid, and mussels (there were no clams in this dish),  served with gremolata toasts. The cioppino arrived. It smelled wonderful. The bartender brought an empty bowl for the mussel shells. I dug in and savored the flavors and seafood. I stopped  for a few minutes to listen to a news report and respond to a text message. The bartender stopped by to check in on me.  A quizzical look formed on his face. He asked if I was alright. I replied that I was and he replied that he noticed I'd been rubbing my forearm repeatedly. I suddenly realized that he was right and I was rubb

ing my arm as he spoke. I pushed the sleeve of my jacket back the inside of my arm was a brilliant shade of red. I'd seen this before - I was having an allergic response.I considered all the ingredients in the dish. The only ingredient I had not eaten before were mussels.  I stopped eating the cioppino, went to a nearby drugstore for Bendaryl and sat under the watchful eyes of my pal and the bartender as the redness subsided.

Fast forward, I am introduced to Dr. Veronica Hayduk, a naturopath. She's the owner of Second  Nature Health. I visited Dr. Hayduk because my allergies seem worse. When I mentioned the environmental allergies I was aware of she explained that there are allergies and sensitivities:

• Allergies are food and/or toxic reactions to food and/or environment. The reaction is almost immediate.
• Sensitivities occur only after food/chemical breakdown. It can take hours or days for the reaction to be seen.

Dr. Hayduk suggested a blood test to get specific information. The blood test re-confirmed that allergies I was aware of. I was also surprised to discover that I had allergies and sensitivities to food such as peaches, strawberries, mussels, tuna and cod.  I recalled the nectarine my friend D  and how poorly I felt hours after eating it (think Felix Unger, but worse). At the time D wisely suggested not eating any more necatrines. Genetically nectarines and peaches are similar - it now made sense.

I am not a doctor and this post is not dispensing medical advice. I'm grateful to Dr. Hayduk for explaining the difference between sensitivities and allergies. I'm also grateful for the results of the blood test.  When  servers ask if I have any allergies I reply that I do and try to avoid dishes with the foods in question.  

Want to know about Dr. Hayduk and naturopaths? Visit www.secondnaturehealth.com or call 301-395-9113. 

Be well,

Technicolor girl