5 surprising allergy triggers

You might be quick to blame your spring allergy symptoms on pollen, or your year-round allergies on other usual suspects: mold, dust, or pet dander. But something else you might not expect could be the cause of your sneezing, wheezing, and even skin reactions. Watch out for these five surprising allergy triggers.

When you think of food allergies, shellfish or peanuts probably come to mind. But, less commonly, people may be allergic to spices. Allergic reactions have been reported to cumin, cayenne pepper, coriander seed, and other seasonings—although any spice can trigger a reaction, such as sneezing and trouble breathing.

There are two main ways spices lead to reactions: Either your immune system reacts strongly to a particular protein found in the spice, or you experience something called cross-reactivity. This occurs when you’re allergic to a substance like pollen and your body reacts to other substances that are seemingly unrelated—like avocadoes or apples—because they have a similar chemical structure to the problematic pollen.

Drinking cocktails, liquor, beer, cider, and wine can trigger symptoms in some people. In certain cases, it may indicate an allergy, or a reaction of the immune system. If you have a drink when you have an allergy, it can cause a rash, itchiness, swelling, intense stomach pains, and in rare situations, anaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction).

In other cases, symptoms might indicate an alcohol intolerance. Unlike an allergy, which is an immune system issue, an alcohol intolerance is a digestive system issue. Your body has problems breaking down alcohol, which can lead to an unpleasant flushing of the face, neck, and chest, as well as intense warmth, a stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting, and a rapid heartbeat, among other issues.

You may love your partner, but there’s a chance you could be allergic to a certain part of them. Sperm allergy (or seminal plasma hypersensitivity) is extremely rare, with only about 80 confirmed cases. But researchers think there could be more that go unreported—perhaps around 40,000 in the United States.

This allergy has only been documented in women. The symptoms, which can affect your whole body or just the vagina and vulva, include itching, burning, and swelling. Rarely, people also experience respiratory symptoms, cardiovascular problems, or anaphylaxis. 

There’s no evidence that a sperm allergy causes infertility, but it can make conceiving uncomfortable. If you’re trying to get pregnant or just want a more comfortable sex life, a healthcare provider (HCP) can help.

Not only can too much exposure lead to skin cancer, but for some, it can also cause an allergic reaction. The most common kind of sun allergy (also called photosensitivity), is polymorphous light eruption (PMLE). People with PMLE may develop discolored, itchy patches of bumps or hives on their skin after being exposed to sunlight. 

Sometimes, chemicals react with sunlight to create symptoms:

• Phototoxicity occurs when a person uses medication or a product—perhaps lotion or sunscreen—which results in skin being directly damaged when it’s exposed to light.
• Photoallergy occurs when a person takes a medication that increases sensitivity to sunlight, such as tetracycline antibiotics or sulfa-based drugs. A photoallergic reaction is rarer than a phototoxic reaction.  

Certain medical conditions, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), may also increase sensitivity to sunlight.

The best treatment: Avoid the sun as much as possible, especially midday, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Use sunscreen (including on your lips), choose clothes that cover as much of your skin as possible, and wear UV-blocking sunglasses.

About 17 percent of women and 3 percent of men have an allergy to nickel, a metal commonly found in jewelry, watches, zippers, snaps, eyeglasses, and cell phones. The allergy is one of the most common causes of contact dermatitis, which can cause a rash, bumps, or blisters. On darker skin, patches can be dark brown, purple, or gray. On lighter skin, they’re usually pink or red.

The best way to prevent a nickel reaction is to avoid wearing or touching items that contain the metal. You may be able to keep using certain items if you have a barrier between them and your skin. For example, you can put a cover on your phone. You can also apply clear nail polish to jewelry or the back of a wristwatch—but know that you’ll have to regularly reapply it, as it rubs off over time.