Be Empathetic!

*pictures taken from www.foodallergyfun.com

Allergy Fact 15 - (DO NOT DELAY!)

*picture taken from www.foodallergyawareness.org

Allergy Fact 14 - (Always Read Labels!)

*picture taken from kidswithfoodallergies.org

*picture taken from www.foodallergyconsulting.com

Allergy Fact 13 - (Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome)

Even though peanuts and egg allergies are the first things which spring to mind when we talk about food allergy, fruits and vegetables are the top-food-causing allergies in adults.

It is known as pollen food syndrome (PFS) or oral allergy syndrome (OAS).

This is usually related to an allergy to pollen (usually birch). Though not always present, most people will also experience springtime hayfever. PFS is related to an allergy to pollen which is usually birch.

Plant foods such as apples contain similar proteins which are also found in pollens. When people with PFS consume such foods, an allergic reaction occurs caused by a cross-reaction. The symptoms are usually confined to the mouth and throat. Itching and local swelling are the usual reactions.

Foods in their raw form which can trigger PFS:

1. Fruits: Apple, pear, cherry, peach, plum, strawberry, kiwi
2. Vegetables: Carrot, celery, potato, tomato, beansprouts
3. Nuts: Hazelnuts, almonds, brazil nuts, walnuts

Apparently it is common for people with PFS to get itchy hands when handling raw fruits or vegetables (especially when peeling potatoes).

People with PFS are diagnosed based on:

1. Symptoms of hayfever (March - May).
2. Oral allergy reactions with fruits, vegetables, nuts or herbs.
3. Reactions to raw but not cooked fruits and vegetables (or reactions while peeling fruits and vegetables).
4. Reactions when biting, chewing OR swallowing. Or reactions less than five minutes after eating.
5. Symptoms of mild to moderate tingling, itching, soreness or angioedema (swelling) of the oropharynx (throat).

*Bear in mind that some may progress to anaphylaxis. It is advisable to carry Epi-Pens.

To read more about PFS, click on LINK.

Click HERE to read in detail about Oral Allergy Syndrome.

Click on LINK to read about PFS.

*picture taken from HERE

Home-Made Cloth Panty Shields

I have a lot of baby nappies from Joel's baby days. Some were turned into rags. I decided to turn many of them into home-made panty liners/panty shields.

The cloth ones sold outside do not have the perfect length. It's either the right thickness but it will be too short. Once I find the perfect length, it'll turn out to be too thick.

I started to develope an allergy to even the organic disposable panty liners/panty shields. No matter the brand (even Natracare), it would cause an allergic reaction. It could be the glue or something in the pulp. I have no idea what it is.

Fed up of wasting money (buying and experimenting with other brands) and also of being inflicted with allergies, I decided to sew my own panty shields/liners using Joel's old baby nappies.

Fold a nappy into half.

Then fold it into half again. Then cut it into the length you desire. 

Sew around all the edges. Then attach the buttons. You would need to adjust the locations of the buttons (to the most comfortable positions) before you sew them on. 

My version of cloth panty shields/liners. 

You can even use these napkins as liners over reusable cloth sanitary pads when you have your period.

Allergy Fact 12 - (Respiratory Allergy, Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis)

*picture taken from HERE

To find out more about the topics in the picture above, click on LINK

Allergy Fact 11 - (8 Top Food Allergens & Their Alternatives)

*picture taken from HERE

Allergy Fact 10 - (Hand Sanitizers Do Not Work!)

*picture taken from HERE

Allergy Fact 9 - (The Spectrum of Food Allergies)

*picture taken from HERE

Do take the time to read about the spectrum of food allergies at this LINK.

Allergy Fact 8 - (Cashew Nut & Pink Peppercorn Allergy)

People who have an allergy to cashew nuts can be allergic to pink peppercorns as they are related. They belong to the Anacardiaceae family. Pink peppercorns are aromatic berries from the cashew family.

Not only pink peppercorns belong to the Anacardiaceae family. Pistachios, mangoes, poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumac belong to this same family!

*It is believed that the allergenic substance in the pink peppercorns could be urushiol, an oily substance present in some of the Anacardiaceae family. In mangoes, urushiol is found in the skin. While in cashews, it is in the shell of the cashew nut. In poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac, urushiol is found in the sap.

*taken from HERE

Click on LINK to read more about cashews.

The World Allergy Organization Journal recorded a rare case of a woman who went into an anaphylactic shock due to consuming pink peppercorns. This woman has had an allergy to cashews since she was 18 years old which resulted in anaphylaxis attacks. To read about this case in detail and to further understand the cause of the anaphylaxis attack when she consumed only pink peppercorns and not cashews, click on LINK.

**Pink peppercorns are not related to the Southeast Asian black pepper family at all! The tree which the pink peppercorns grow on are known by many names: Brazilian pepper, Peruvian pepper, Peruvian mastic tree, Baies Rose, California pepper tree, American pepper tree, Florida Holly, Christmasberry, and peppercorn tree.

**Even the berries are known by many names: Christmas berries, rose berries, false pepper, pink peppercorns, pink pepperberries, pink berries and rose baises.

**taken from HERE

Pink peppercorns have become mainstream in many chefs' gourmet dishes. They are added for their attractive pink colour. They also give a sweet and lighter peppery taste unlike the black peppers. The pink peppercorns are used to flavour ice-cream and even chocolate! Some craft beer brewers add them to their beer to produce unique flavoured beers.

Click on TREE NUT ALLERGY to read more about nut allergies.

Allergy Fact 7 - (Allergy Myths)

*picture taken from HERE

Allergy Fact - 6 (Signs & Symptoms of Anaphylaxis)

* picture taken from here

Keep Your Expired Epi-Pens!

As there isn't news on when the Epi-Pens shortages will be over, we are now told to hold on to our old and expired Epi-Pens.

Click on LINK to read more about this.

Malaysia does not bring in any other adrenaline auto-injectors other than the Epi-Pen. With this worldwide shortage, that was what I was adviced. Just make sure that the liquid is clear in your Epi-Pen. There is a window on the pen where you can check.

Allergy Fact - 4 (Antihistamine or Epinephrine?)

*picture taken from HERE

Allergy Fact - 3 (Epinephrine Myths & Facts)

*picture taken from HERE

Allergy Fact (2) - How Children Describe an Allergy Reaction

*picture taken from HERE

Just For Laughs (23)

*picture taken from HERE

Aspirin & NSAIDs Allergies

*picture is taken from HERE


NSAIDs stand for Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. They are usually used for pain, inflammation, heart diseases and even fever.

Even though NSAIDs provide relief for many people, there are people who are allergic to them. Some people have hives (urticaria), swelling (angioedema), a sudden severe asthma attack and anaphylaxis.

Apparently many cold, sinus and allergy medication contain NSAIDS!

There are many types of NSAIDs which are sold. The four main NSAIDs are aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox DS, Naprosyn) and celecoxib (Celebrex).

There are so many variations of NSAIDs sold today. *And drug manufacturers combine NSAIDs with other medications such as narcotic pain medications, muscle relaxers, anti-histamine and decongestants, caffeine headache medications and anti-acid medications.

*taken from HERE

Below is a list of NSAIDs in medications. This list is taken from HERE.

ASA
Actiprofen
Actron Ketoprofen
Acular ophthalmic
Acular LS ophthalmic
Acuprin
Acuvail ophthalmic
Adran
Addaprin-
Advil
Advil Cold & Sinus
Advil Congestion Relief
Aggrenox
Aleve
Aleve-D Sinus & Cold
Alka Seltzer
Alka Seltzer Plus
Alor
Amersol
Amibufen
Amigesic
Anacin
Anaflex
Anaprox
Anaprox DS
Anflagen
Anco
Anodynos
Andran
Ansaid
Apo-NaproNA
Apo-lbuprofen
Apo ASA
Apo Asen
Apo Keto
Apo Naproxen
Apo Piroxicam
Apo lndomethiacin
Aposulin
Apsifen
Aquaprin
Argesic SA
Arthra G
Arthrinol
Arthrisin
Arthritis Pain Formula
Arthritis Strength Bufferin
Arthropan Liquid
Arthrotec
Artria AR
Asacol
Ascriptin
Ascriptin A/D
Ascriptin with Codeine
Asperbuf
Aspercin
Aspergum
Aspir-Low
Aspirin
Aspirtab
Astrin
BC Tablets and Powders
Bayer Aspirin
Bayer Children 's Aspirin
Bayer Childrens  Cold Tablets
Bayer Time Release Tablets
Bluton
Brufanic
Brufen
Brufort
Buff-A Comp Tablets
Buffaprin
Buffasal
Bufferin with or without Codeine
Buffetts ll Tablets
Buffinol
Buburone
Butylenin
Butalbitol/ Aspirin
Cataflam
Caldolor
Cap-Profen
Capron capsules
Cama Arthritis Pain Reliever
Canasa
Cataflam
Choline Magnesium Triasalicylate
Choline Salicylate
Clinoril
Codral
Combunox
Congesprin
Cope Tablets
Coricidin
Coryphen  asa
Cosprin Tablets
Counterpain
Damason
Daprisal
Darvon Compound
Darvon Compound with ASA
Darvon Compound with Aspirin
Darvon Compound 65
Daypro
Diclofenac
Difenac
Diflunisal
Difluzenal
Dimetapp Sinus
Disalcid
Doan’s Pills
Dolgin
Dolgirid
Dolgit
Dolobid
Dolocyl
Dristan Sinus
Durasol
Ebufac
Easprin
Ecotrin
EC Naproxyn
Efficin
Emagrin
Emodin
Emperin
Empirin with Codeine
Emprazil
Endodan
Entrophen
Epobron
Epromate- M
Equagesic
Esaprin
Etodolac
Equagesic
Excedrine
Excedrine Migraine
Excedrine lB
Femadon
Fenbid Spansule
Feldene
Fenoprophen
Fenoprofen
Fiorinal
Fiorinal with Codeine
Flector
Flurbiprofen
Froben
Gelprin
Gemnisyn Goodys
Genacote
Genpril
Halfprin
Haltran
Helidac
Heptogesic
IBU
Ibufen
Ibumetin
Ibuprin
Ibuprocin
Ibuprohm
Ibutid
Ifen

Inabrin
Indocin
Indocin SR
Indo-Lemmon
Indomethacin
Indomethagan
Inoven
Lamidon
Lebrufen
Ledifen
Liptan
I-prin
Ketoprofen
Ketoprofen ER
Ketorolac
Ketorolac tromethamine injection
Lanorinal
Liquiprin
Lodine
Lodine XL
Lortab ASA
Magan
Magnaprin
Magsal
Marnal
Maximum Bayer Aspirin
Measurin
Meclofenamate
Meclofenamate Sodium
Meclomen
Medipren
Mediproxen
Mefenamic Acid
Meloxicam
Menadol
Mesasal
Methocarbonal with Aspirin
Meprogesic
Micranin
Midol (see illustration)
Mobic
Mobidin
Mobigesic
Momentum
Mono-Gesic
Monogesic
Motrin
Motrin lB
Mynosedin
Nabumetone
Nalfon
Nalfon 200
Napacetin
Naprapac
Naprelan
Naproxen
Naxen
Neoprofen
Nobfelon
Nobfen
Nobgen
Norgesic
Norgesic Forte
Norwich
Novahistine
Novasal
Novasen
NovoGent N
Novo-Naprox
Novoprofen
Novo-Sundac
Novomethacin
Novopirocam
Nu-Naprox
Nu-lbuprofen
Nu-lndo
Nuprin
Nupryn
Nurofen
Orafen
Orphengesic
Orphengesic Forte
Orudis
Oruval
Oxaprozin
Oxycodone HCL/ Ibuprofen
Oxycodone HCL/ Aspirin
Oxycodone HCL/ ASA
Pantrop
Paxofen
P-A-C Analgesic
Pediaprofen
PMS- ASA
PMS-Pirocam
Pabalate SF
Pamprin
Panasal 5/500
Pentazocine HCL/ Aspirin
Pepto-Bismol
Percodan
Percodan-Demi
Persantine
Persistin
Pirocam
Piroxicam
Ponstel
Profen
Propoxyphene Compound 65
Propoxyphene HCL/ Caffeine/ ASA (aspirin)
Proprinal-
Rafen
Rebugen
Relafen
Rexolate Sodium
Rhovail
Robaxisol
Roidenin
Roxiprin
Rufen
Saleto Tablets
Sal-Fayne
Salflex
Salgesic Sodium
Salsalate
Salsitab
Seclodin
Sine-Aid lB
Sloprin
Sodium Thiosalicylate
Solaraze
Soma Compound
St. Josephs Aspirin
Stanback
Sudafed Sinus and Pain 12 hour
 Suldinac
Supasa
Suspren
Synalgos-DC
Synflex
Synflex DS
Tabalon
Tabprofen
Talwin compound
Tecnal
Tolectin
Tolectin DS
Tolectin 600
Tolmetin
Toradol
Trendar
Tricosal
Trigesic
Trilisate
Tromethamine tablet or injection
Ultraprin
Urem
Vanquish
Vicoprofen
Voltaren
Voltaren ophthalmic
Voltaren Gel
Wal-Profen Cold & Sinus
Zipsor
Zorprin

Pepto Bismol is a stomach medication which is used to prevent traveler's tummy. This contains bismuth subsalicylate.

Technology, Allergy & the EpiPen App

Imagine one day you're walking down the street when you suddenly breathed in some peanut-dust or got stung by a bee. You are about to go into a full-blown anaphylactic attack. And you don't have your EpiPen with you.

What's even worse, the ambulance can't reach you in time.

Researchers in a university in Israel have developed an app called EpiMada where people who are near you who carry an EpiPen can be notified via the app. They could administer epinephrine using their personal EpiPen to save you while help is on the way.

To read more about this, click on Epipen Locating App.

Orange Wig Day!

The Anaphylaxis Campaign in UK has a goal to raise awareness, funds and to show support to fellow allergy sufferers that they are not alone. Thus, today is Orange Wig Day where supporters are asked to wear an orange wig during their daily activities.

To read more about Orange Wig Day, click on LINK.

*picture taken from HERE