Debra asks:
Hi Doug,
Why is it so difficult to find treatment info. on food/drinks that cause skin reactions? When I drink coffee, tea, or certain red wine my skin itches and gets bumpy. I look for relief and all of the overcounter meds. say Itchy eyes, runny nose, etc. nothing refers to “itchy skin”. What helps for it?
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A few people have asked about a ginger allergy. While not the most common allergy, it is worth a mention for those who think they might be allergic to ginger.
Usually, ginger is an effective allergy medicine, and it has many other health benefits. Unless you notice some sort of allergic reaction to ginger, there is no need to be concerned.
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It is possible to have an allergy to ginger. In this case, you may have a food allergy to other members of the Zingiberaceae family including various species of ginger, turmeric, and cardamom.
If you have an allergy to ginger, do not take ginger supplements.
Rashes are sometimes reported by those with contact sensitivity to ginger.
Eye allergy symptoms have also been reported.
Avoid consuming ginger or ginger supplements.
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Sophie asks:
Hi Doug,
My son was diagnosed with a tree nut allergy yesterday with high sensitivity to cashew. He had a 15 mm wheal which I understand is high. He was referred mainly because he has terrible pain in his mouth and ears when he ate these nuts which was only three times, however they were surprised at how mild his reaction was in comparison with the skin prick test.
The one question I couldn’t get answered was if he has had such a mild reaction so far, will he always react like this or could he have an unexpected severe reaction given his level of sensitivity. We have been given an oral antihistamine to carry around and have been told to avoid giving him nuts altogether.
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Isaelle asks:
Hi Doug,
Is there a way to test for the difference between raw cashew allergy and cashew allergy? Can you talk about the difference and chances of being allergic to both?
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There is a great deal of controversy over raw milk lately. A growing number of people say that raw milk is more health than pasteurized milk.
In perfect counter-point, a growing number of institutions remind us that raw milk is hazardous to your health.
Why the discrepancy?
I think there are several reasons.
First lets look at what raw milk has in it’s favor:
A study summarized by Nutrition Horizon reports that based on sampling 14,893 children in five countries, the consumption of raw milk reduces the incidence of heyfever and asthma. This may apply to other allergies as well, although the summary of this particular study does not say.
Other articles I have seen on the internet indicate that those with a milk intolerance can digest raw milk and raw milk products, where as they can not digest commercial pasteurized milk.
Is raw milk really dangerous?
I am a bit suspicious of this assertion. There is no end of government propaganda on the subject.
True, raw milk did cause big health problems before it was traced to various pathogens that can easily be destroyed by pasteurizing milk. This was a great approach in the 1930’s onward. At the time, the big worry was tuberculoses along with a few other diseases most people have not really heard of or been concerned about for a long time in most places.
Since then, the health of farm workers has improved, hygiene procedures on farms must surely be better, and there is no end of tests that can be used to screen the milk.
Now, the boogie-man is salmonella and unspecified bacteria.
Some would argue that it is precisely the ingestion of “friendly” bacteria that improve the health of raw milk consumers.
My opinion is that the risks are all out of proportion. If we should worry about the chances of contracting salmonella or whatever from raw milk, then we should definitely not drive anywhere, as there is the chance of having and accident, and that could also be very bad for your health.
Neither should we eat fast food because there have been incidents of food poisoning at some fast food restaurants occasionally. Actually, we shouldn’t eat at any restaurant, or for that matter eat at all. The argument can be taken to a ridiculous level.
Until I see comparative statistics, I won’t believe much of what governments and the milk board have to say on the subject.
I am interested in this, so as I find out more, I will post more about it.
Mean while share your opinion! Leave a comment or contact me.
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This article about asthma has been replaced.
Click this link for the allergy details article about asthma.
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Gary asks:
Hi Doug,
i was telling a colleague how i feel sick most mornings, usually about an hour after eating toast, i also have a couple of beers after work, so i do have a regular intake of yeast, my colleague suggested it could be a yeast allergy.
however after reading your website it doesn’t mention nausea, could it be possible that my sickness could be yeast related?
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