June 10, 2026 | Black & Kletz Allergy
In the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia metropolitan area, most people are familiar with the manifestations of hay fever (i.e., allergic rhinitis) since our Spring and Fall seasons are notorious for causing plenty of misery to many of the area’s inhabitants. Most people are also familiar with the most common food allergies (e.g., peanut, tree nut, milk, soy, egg, wheat, fish, and shellfish) from either knowing individuals with these allergies or having heard or read about food allergy situations that have arisen either locally or nationally. Likewise, most are aware of allergic conditions that affect the skin such as hives, (i.e., urticaria), eczema, (i.e., atopic dermatitis), and allergic contact dermatitis (e.g., poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, cosmetic allergy). Medication allergies are also not a surprise to anyone. One must understand that in addition to these common allergies, there are a number of allergies that are uncommon and/or unusual that are very interesting. It is some of these more uncommon and unusual allergies that we will explore in the following discussion.
Uncommon and unusual allergies can be categorized into 2 groups: Unusual/Uncommon Non-Food Allergies and Unusual/Uncommon Food Allergies. Below is a list of some unusual or uncommon allergies that are seen by Black & Kletz Allergy in the Washington, DC metro area:
Unusual/Uncommon Non-Food Allergies:
Exercise: Exercise may trigger generalized itching (i.e., pruritus), hives, (i.e., urticaria), swelling (i.e., angioedema), asthma, and/or anaphylaxis, depending on the individual. These conditions are also referred to as exercise-induced pruritus, exercise-induced urticaria, exercise-induced angioedema, exercise-induced asthma, and exercise-induced anaphylaxis respectively. In some cases, a patient may need to exercise in the cold air for the symptoms to occur. In other individuals, a specific food must be eaten a few hours before exercise in order for there to be an allergic reaction. This is referred to as food-dependent-exercise-
Scratches: Some individuals have a disorder called dermatographism where a simple scratch or pressure on the skin will trigger the affected area to develop hives in a linear pattern to match the scratch. The name of this condition is dermatographism. The word itself means “skin writing” so it is possible to write a word on the person’s skin just by writing the word using a fingernail on the skin. Approximately 3-5 minutes later, the word is visible on the skin in a reddish and raised fashion, reminiscent of a hive.
Cold: Cold temperatures can be a trigger for some individuals to develop generalized itching, hives, swelling, asthma, and/or anaphylaxis. The names of the corresponding conditions are cold-induced pruritus, cold-induced urticaria, cold-induced angioedema, cold-induced asthma, and cold-induced anaphylaxis respectively. These individuals should avoid exposure to the cold, if possible.
Latex: Latex or natural rubber allergies can range from a mild irritation of the skin to a severe anaphylactic reaction. Common latex products include latex gloves, condoms, balloons, adhesive bandages, dental dams, tires, waistbands, and pacifiers. Curiously, there are similar proteins in natural rubber latex and certain foods (e.g., bananas, chestnuts, avocados, papayas, kiwis), so cross-reactivity to these foods can also occur.
Sex: Some people have a condition termed seminal fluid hypersensitivity where they become allergic to the seminal fluid of their partner. It is an allergy to a specific man’s seminal fluid and not necessarily to all men. The symptoms can vary from having minimal irritation of the skin, to hives, to a life-threatening systemic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms can be prevented by using condoms. In patients with this condition who would like to conceive, in vitro fertilization is needed to minimize risk to the allergic individual.
Cold: Cold temperatures can be a trigger for some patients to develop generalized itching, hives, swelling, asthma, and/or anaphylaxis. The names of the corresponding conditions are cold-induced pruritus, cold-induced urticaria, cold-induced angioedema, cold-induced asthma, and cold-induced anaphylaxis respectively. Similar to exercise above, these patients should avoid the cold, if possible.
Sunlight: A small number of the population have a sensitivity to sunlight. These individuals may develop an itchy skin, rash, hives, nausea, and/or headache. Solar urticaria is a disorder where hives form upon exposure to sunlight.
Money: Yes, unfortunately it is true. People with a nickel allergy may develop allergic contact dermatitis from handling coins. Metal allergy is not that uncommon, but having reactions to holding coins is fairly uncommon. Clearly, the disorder is more widespread in people who handle money more often such as cashiers and bank tellers.
Unusual/Uncommon Food Allergies:
Mammalian Meat (Alpha-gal): Some people that are bitten by a Lone Star tick may develop a meat allergy due to the development of an antibody to a carbohydrate named galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (i.e., alpha-gal). This carbohydrate is found on all mammalian meat (e.g., beef, lamb, pork, venison, whale). When a person with the alpha-gal antibody consumes mammalian meat, the meat triggers the release of a chemical named histamine. It is the histamine that causes the allergic symptoms which typically appear 4-8 hours after ingesting the meat. Symptoms may comprise of generalized itching, hives, and/or swelling.
Raw Fruits/Vegetables: Pollen fruit syndrome or pollen/food-associated syndrome or oral allergy syndrome is a condition where an allergic reaction in the mouth occurs usually causing itching in certain allergic individuals that have certain pollen allergies. 2 examples of this condition include: 1) Birch tree allergies and reactions to raw apples, cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, pears, celery, avocados, carrots, and/or kiwi. 2) Ragweed allergies and reactions to raw bananas, melons, zucchini, and/or cucumbers. In pollen fruit syndrome, the raw fruit or vegetable looks similar structurally to the pollen and the body “thinks” that the food is the pollen and thus an allergic reaction (e.g., itchy mouth, itchy throat) ensues. Interestingly, if the food is cooked and/or processed, the person can generally tolerate the food without any symptoms.
Gelatin: Some people are allergic to gelatin; although this allergy is rare. Gelatin is a protein that is formed when connective tissue from animals is boiled. Some people are allergic to this protein and when exposed, they can have an allergic reaction that may also be rather severe. Gelatin may be found in some of the following: Jell-O, frostings, chewy candies, pâtés, capsule medications, yogurts, low-fat sour creams, and in some vaccinations such as some influenza (flu) shots, MMR, and chickenpox. As a quick rule of thumb, if is jiggly, gummy, or set into a firm gel, there is a good chance it contains gelatin unless it is specifically labeled vegetarian or vegan.
Hot Dogs and Deli Meats: Hot dogs and numerous deli meats are highly processed foods that contain many additives including nitrites and nitrates. An allergic reaction after consuming these processed meats may be due to any of these additional ingredients. It is thought however that nitrite and nitrate additives are generally the cause in most cases.
Wine: Certain people are hypersensitive to sulfating agents used in processing certain foods, beverages, and drugs. Sulfur dioxide and numerous forms of inorganic sulfites that release sulfur dioxide when used as food ingredients are known collectively as sulfating agents. The preservative sulfite is used in the manufacturing of wine and other foods. Some people, particularly asthmatics, are sensitive to sulfites and should avoid certain foods that may contain sulfites such as salad bars, soups, gravies, sauces, wine vinegar, processed meats, and dried or frozen canned fruits/vegetables.
Chamomile Tea: Chamomile is associated to ragweed and some ragweed-sensitive individuals may also react to chamomile tea and chamomile lotions. Symptoms can range from allergic rhinitis symptoms to anaphylactic shock, although it is rare to have such a severe reaction.
Water: Yes, people can actually be allergic to water. It is rather rare, however, there are some people who have a disorder termed aquagenic urticaria. If one has this problem, contact with water may cause itching and hives. Unfortunately, there is no ideal treatment for this disorder at the present time.
The board certified allergists and immunologists at Black & Kletz Allergy have 3 convenient office locations in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area. Our allergy specialists have been treating uncommon and unusual allergies for many years. Our offices are located in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA. All of our offices have on-site parking and the Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are Metro accessible. There is a free shuttle that runs between our McLean, VA office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line. If you or someone you know has or appears to have an allergic condition, please make an appointment so that we may help you. Alternatively, you can click Request an Appointment and we will respond to your request within 24 hours by the next business day. The allergy doctors at Black & Kletz Allergy have been treating both adults and children in the Washington, DC metropolitan area for allergies, asthma, sinus disease, and immunologic disorders for more than 5 decades and we would be happy to provide allergy relief for you in a caring and professional environment.
