Allergies come in various forms and it can exhibit several symptoms such as red eyes, runny nose, and itchiness. So while you’re stacking up medicine for fever and headache, you might as well make sure you keep an ample supply of antihistamines and decongestants in your home—just in case!
But while most allergy cases involve flowers, nuts, and animal hairs, others seem much more unusual. Yes, some of those seemingly innocent things around us can cause allergy for some people, putting them in harm’s way. Here are just a few examples:
Water
Yes, that’s right! Some guys are allergic to water! Experts call it water urticaria. And although it’s not a histamine-releasing allergy, it’s nevertheless a problematic one as those who have it feel pain and get hives when water touches their skin. The fact that they can’t take a dip in the pool or the sea or even in their own bathroom is kind of bumming, don’t you think? Imagine wanting to take a bath but not being able to!
Sunlight
No, solar urticaria is not your typical sunburn. But you can also experience it after prolonged exposure to sunlight; the only difference is it causes hives to sprout all over your body. Thankfully, this type of allergy is extremely rare, and it can take up to 30 minutes before the symptoms become evident. Still, if you’re prone to having it, it’s best if you avoid getting a tan. Otherwise, you might end up with boiling red skin instead of that golden-brown you’re aiming for!
Red Meat
Nothing satisfies man’s carnivorous nature better than red, tender, and juicy meat. But what if you can’t take a bite without swelling up? Being allergic to red meat may seem unlikely but it’s not impossible. In fact, there’s already been at least one documented case of a man being rushed to the hospital after eating sirloin steak and burger at two separate occasions. Upon medical testing, it was revealed that he’s allergic to both pork and beef. And though he was advised to steer clear of red meat even for a short while, he didn’t heed his doctors, landing himself at the hospital yet again four months later.
Kaleb Bussenschutt’s Allergy
Kaleb Bussenschutt’s allergy is by far the rarest, strangest, and worst weird allergy of them all! How, you might ask? Well, for starters, how about the fact that it leaves you allergic to all types of food? That means no more steak, burgers, fries, chicken drumsticks, or even desserts like ice cream and cakes! Vegetables would be out of the question as well! That’ll leave you with a tube sticking out of your stomach; how else can you feed yourself and keep yourself healthy?
As fictional as any of these unusual allergies might sound, you can bet that it’s real. And although there are only a few cases of people suffering from it all over the world, each is awful enough to leave you thankful that your own hypersensitivities are minor and curable.