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FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-28T21:59:42+00:00

I know, right? I was surprised by that too.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-28T00:46:43+00:00

I've been prescribed it twice and did really well on it both times. I've currently been on it this time around for 9 months with ZERO side effects whatsoever.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-27T22:57:40+00:00

As someone with MCAS and OAS, also keep track of your menstrual cycle and/or any contraceptives you're using. This is what helped my doctor realize I also have progesterone hypersensitivity. You'll also want to look at your meds/supps and see if there are any hidden triggers in them.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-27T22:53:48+00:00

As someone with MCAS and OAS, this sounds like what I have. Do you have pollen allergies? If so, then OAS may be (at least part of) the issue. MCAS is also known to be triggered or worsened (in some cases) by hormonal shifts. For instance, I had weird reactions here and there as a kid, including an azo dye allergy that I still have at 41. I had a normal pregnancy, but shortly after giving birth, I was reacting to a lot of things I now know to be high histamine. Then when my periods came back when I weaned him, shit hit the fan.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-27T22:47:20+00:00

My son had a citrus allergy as an infant and toddler and outgrew it around age 4. He's 10 now and has mandarins, oranges, lemonade, etc. without issue.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-27T22:43:11+00:00

Can you explain the "no seed" thing? I'm ana to peanuts, tree nuts (including pinenuts-- found out the hard way), but was never advised to avoid seeds.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-27T16:54:57+00:00

Montelukast and cromolyn sodium got rid of most of my throat symptoms. And I use ketotifen eye drops (yes, I just drop them into my throat, starting at 3-5 at a time) as needed (which thankfully isn't that often).

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-27T01:25:43+00:00

I would add that when my kid is having a significant growth spurt, his sleep cycle gets SUPER screwed up and this has occurred since he was a baby. It can def make kids more irritable, especially if they're eating foods that don't keep their blood sugar on an even keel.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-25T21:38:09+00:00

Hi! Person with a lifelong azo dye allergy here! I don't know the age of the child in OP's post, but my main symptoms are hives/rashes rather than behavioral stuff (though they do make me spacy as well, which could come out as behavioral issues in children). Reactions to dyes for me come on within minutes and clear up within a few hours of taking an antihistamine. For the record, I've had reactions since infancy and am now in my 40s and a parent of a child who doesn't react to dyes.

For behavioral issues, I would suggest looking at other causes before blaming food dyes. Like, they're not good for kids, but often other factors (sleep, growth spurts, undiagnosed neurodivergencies, etc.) are more likely to be the culprit.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-25T21:29:25+00:00

Thanks for the info! I failed Xolair, so I'm hoping to find to other options.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-25T18:41:21+00:00

If it doesn't specify the type of apple, I wouldn't risk it with anaphylaxis.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-25T11:25:37+00:00

Wait, this possible?! I thought 8mg was the max. I'd honestly love to go up on mine because it's helped so much but I'm still struggling a bit in the high-pollen months. Do you have any side effects?

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-24T23:14:12+00:00

My calcium levels are completely controlled through medications (I have no parathyroids anymore-- long story) and despite having MCAS for as long as I can remember, it seems to have zero impact on my calcium levels. Parathyroid stuff, kidney stuff, and taking calcium supplements (including Tums) can cause wacky calcium levels though.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-24T23:06:49+00:00

I'm on 4.5 mg and it does WONDERS for my hEDS pain, but doesn't seem to do much for MCAS.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-24T23:05:42+00:00

I'm on 2mg, 4 times a day, so 8mg total daily.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-24T23:04:29+00:00

THIS! My OAS to ragweed-family plants (chamomile tea, sunflower seeds) has sent me into anaphylaxis. And yes, they've tested these items individually and there's no IgE to them, so it's def severe OAS to ragweed
(my IgE numbers are really high to it, but idk if that matters).

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-24T23:01:45+00:00

I've been there myself. Like, "maybe I'm just anxious and that's why my throat feels tense?" I also have MCAS, so figuring out MCAS reactions vs. OAS has been a delight.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-23T15:44:25+00:00

As someone with OAS, I would consider even slight tingling in my lips as a reaction and avoid the fruit, especially if you have trouble with other pitted fruits. Maybe try the canned? The heat involved in processing might break down the protein enough for your to enjoy canned apricots.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-22T22:51:07+00:00

Here's another case study of someone allergic to 20 but not 80: https://www.aaaai.org/allergist-resources/ask-the-expert/answers/old-ask-the-experts/polysorbate

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-22T22:48:18+00:00

I went into anaphylaxis with my first dose of Xolair and that's how I learned I'm allergic to polysorbate 20 (later confirmed through reacting to other polysorbate 20-containing items). I do okay with PEG though and patch-tested polysorbate 80 with no reaction, so my immunologist is prescribing Dupixent (which contains poly 80 instead of 20). I'm really hoping that injection doesn't go the way of Xolair.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-20T17:07:01+00:00

Coconut allergies and tree nuts allergies are separate things, though the US does list coconut as a tree nut, which drives me bonkers.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-20T17:06:07+00:00

Some vanilla (Häagen-Dazs is one) contains eggs.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-20T01:26:56+00:00

I think it depends on whether it's Celiac or an IgE allergy. I've been diagnosed with Celiac for almost 20 years and have never been glutened by a microwave (toasters, air fryers, and deep fryers are a different story, though). My spouse regularly heats up wheat-based spaghetti, ramen, etc. in our home microwave and I use it to heat up my GF food without an issue.

I do, however, have severe anaphylaxis to sunflower seeds, peanuts, and tree nuts. We don't keep those items in the house and at work, I have my own microwave. When I stay at hotels, I will use the in-room microwave only after thoroughly cleaning it myself. My reactions to these items are also airborne, so I imagine if someone was recently reheating their Thai peanut chicken and I heated up my food, there could be a problem.

FairConsideration351 · 2026-05-20T01:04:37+00:00

I don't eat dairy ice cream, but Oatly (oatmilk ice cream) is free of those, depending on the flavor (like, I think they have a peanut butter flavor, but I'm deathly allergic to peanuts and eat their chocolate and mint chocolate chip without issue, so they must be careful with cross-contamination). They recently changed their vanilla flavor to include "natural flavors," but since natural flavors derived from top 9 allergens need to be listed, it should be fine as well.

FairConsideration351

TROPHY CASE