The human body is about 60% water, so it’s a little shocking that you can be allergic to it! This isn’t the only weird allergy in the world. The range of what we can be allergic to is pretty much endless! Here are 20 of the weirdest things you can be allergic to:
The Olive Tree
Pretty crazy, right? The olive allergy is probably more common than you think! It is caused by pollen released by olive trees and occurs often in places they are native including the Mediterranean, Asia, and Africa. Nonetheless, people are susceptible to this allergy anywhere olive trees grow. Some people also have allergic reactions to olives and olive oil! They can cause an allergic reaction in the form of gastrointestinal or dermatological symptoms. The olive tree allergy can cause rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, and skin problems.
The Olive Tree
Shoes
Having a shoe allergy is actually pretty common! You might be thinking how can people be allergic to shoes since they are made from so many different materials and chemicals? For instance, glues, resins, rubber cement, ingredients for leather, and many other things can make shoes unique. Nonetheless, some people have allergic reactions to most shoes and suffer from the very irritated skin. Some sufferers say wearing socks and shoe inserts can help, and also use powders and antiperspirants to keep the area dry. Some people know which materials they are allergic too, but some people can’t figure it out!
Shoes
Cell Phones
Want to know the cure for cell phone addiction? Having a cell phone allergy! This allergy can be rooted in a few things. The most common reason is due to the presence of nickel. Another cause for a reaction can be due to low levels of radiation and microwaves. People who are sensitive can experience a skin reaction that causes redness, welts, and itching. You are probably thinking, well how can people with this allergy communicate and live their lives? Well, usually people with a cell phone allergy wear headsets but are limited. We guess there is no Instagramming for these people!
Cell Phones
Computers
There are also many reasons that people can manifest an allergic reaction to a computer. One reason is electromagnetic hypersensitivity. This is caused by the emissions from plastic casings. Some people are also allergic to triphenyl phosphate. It is a chemical which is meant to make computers flame resistant. Nonetheless, those who suffer from a computer allergy can develop skin irritations, headaches, and other sinus symptoms. Some sufferers say the closer they sit to the computer, the worse the symptoms get! Can you imagine not being able to look in a screen without binoculars? This is just regular life for some people!
Computers
Water
Despite needed it to stay alive, some people have a rare allergy called Aquagenic urticaria. It results in hives, blisters, and rashes that come to be almost immediately after being in contact with water. The reaction can last for a short or long time, and the exact cause is unknown. Some believe it is something in the water, not water itself, but scientists still aren’t sure. Fortunately only one out of every 23 million people really suffer from this allergy.
Water
Vibrations
Not all vibrations are good ones! Especially if you have an allergy to the sensation of vibrations. The reaction is due to the body trying to protect itself and interprets the vibration as an attack on the immune system. The immune system thus fights back and results in rashes, welts, and irritated skin. The reaction is almost immediate and luckily it can be treated with antihistamines and other soothing lotions. This allergy is incredibly rare!
Vibrations
Sunlight
While most people enjoy getting some fresh sun rays, people with solar urticaria do not. Exposure to the sun for these people can result in hives, rashes, blisters, and redness. Sunscreen helps a little, but most sufferers say only by totally covering their skin with clothing can the reaction be avoided.
Sunlight
Semen
Have you heard of seminal plasma hypersensitivity? It is the allergy to semen. It is extremely rare and hard to diagnose but people that have it experience burning sensations, rashes, and welts. About 20,000 to 40,000 people in the U.S. have this allergy, so clearly it is not a huge problem but can you imagine how they all found out for the first time? Not the prettiest picture! It is possible to reduce the allergic reaction through the process of desensitization where people are “exposed” every 48 hours. There has been one reported case of a total cure from the allergy due to this method.
Semen
Pressure On Skin
Have you heard of demographism? It is when your skin has an allergic reaction to any kind of pressure. While this allergy is definitely a slightly amusing one, it has to be so annoying! There is no cure for it, and some have stated antihistamines help a little. Sufferers have to totally adjust their lives to live with this allergy. No bueno in our opinion!
Pressure On The Skin
Sweat
This is pretty crazy. Did you know some people are actually allergic to their own sweat? People can experience very itchy skin and welts any place sweat makes contact with their skin. The reaction can last anywhere between 30 minutes and a couple of hours. This is actually one of the more common allergies on our list, but doctors still don’t know why it occurs!
Sweat
Heat
Want to warm up by the fire and drink a hot chocolate? Not everyone has this luxury! Cholinergic or heat urticaria is the technical name for being allergic to heat. Sufferers experience symptoms almost immediately after exposure. People experience itching, burning, swelling and severe skin irritation. Some only have the reaction once a certain high temperature is reached, but others can have a reaction from any exercise, sauna, hot shower and even from spicy food!
Heat
Cold
Of course, if there is an allergy to heat, there is an allergy to cold! The technical name of this allergy is called cold urticaria. Sufferers experience itchiness or swelling when they are exposed to the cold, but some even go into anaphylactic shock! It is very rare, but some people are at risk of dying due to this. So, how can people with this allergy live? Well, they have to avoid cold weather, cold food, cold swimming pools and have to wear plenty of clothing. They definitely can’t go to the ice show in the picture below! This is definitely one of the more bizarre allergies on our list.
Cold
Cockroaches
Some people say “Just thinking about cockroaches makes me break out in hives,” but some people in fact have an allergy to physical roaches! For some suffers Cockroach bodies and waste can cause symptoms such as a stuffy nose, fever, asthma attacks and skin rashes. The good news? Exterminators exist and properly storing foodstuff can keep these evil bugs far away.
Cockroaches
Raw Fruits & Vegetables
What an unfortunate allergy! People with this can have itching, burning, and pain in their throat from any consumption of raw fruit or vegetables. While this probably sounds totally bizarre, this allergy is more common than you think! Experts estimate up to 70% of hay fever sufferers can also experience this allergy. The body can misinterpret proteins in fruits and vegetables as pollen molecules. Pretty interesting, huh?
Raw Fruit Vegetable Allergy
Excercise
While this sounds like the perfect excuse to avoid going to the gym, some exercise allergies can be pretty serious! They result in an uncontrollable itching sensation about 30 minutes after you finish working out. There are many different types of allergies from exercise, with cholinergic uticaria being the most common type. It is triggered by sweat. Others can include exercise-induced angioedema that happens to matter how intense the activity is.
Excercise
Humans
Humans aren’t the only thing on earth with unexplained allergic reactions. In 2014, an animal shelter in Indianapolis took in a dog named Adam that kept bitting himself. Turns out Adam was allergic to humans! Adam has very irritated skin as a result. The shelter found a doctor to try immunotherapy treatments on the poor pup.
Humans
Fake Nails
Some people have really bad allergic reactions to the resin found in acrylic nails. The reaction can cause redness, swelling and can even cause your nail to fall off! Ouch!
Fake Nails
Nickels
Nickels are bad news for about 15% of Americans with an allergy from nickel. They can experience skin irritation and rashes from merely handling the currency. Seems like a good reason to use a credit card, right? On a more serious note, those with the allergy have to be very careful because nickel is present in jewelry, glasses, zippers, cell phones and even some kinds of legumes!
Nickels
Allergy Medicine
This is a cruel twist of fate! Some people are allergic to allergy medicine! This allergy is usually related to dyes and other ingredients that come in the medicine. It can be treated by professionals, but is still pretty crazy to think about!
Allergy Medicine
Everything Except Water
Luckily this allergy is incredibly rare, but some people in the world are literally allergic to everything you can eat and drink except water! How awful! Since this allergy is so rare, little scientific research has been done to figure out why it occurs. People that have this allergy suffer from horrible stomach pain and cramps. The boy in the picture is named Kaleb Bussenchutt and he can only eat ice and one specific brand of lemonade. He gets all of his nutrients through a tube that goes directly into his stomach. Can you imagine living that way?
