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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

How to Celebrate Valentine's Day with Allergies?

Valentine's day can be an especially difficult time for persons with allergic disease.  Most consider only food allergies as a problem, but uncontrolled asthma, latex allergy, allergic skin, or allergic sinusitis symptoms can impact your ability to feel romantic with your partner. 


What should you do if you suffer from allergies around Valentine's Day?  Here are some simple tips to keep you giving and receiving the love that abounds this time of the year.


Love someone with food allergies?
  • Make homemade treats for your sweetie so you'll be sure not to include ingredient. 
  • Too busy to bake?  Divvies is a wonderful company launched by a mom with children with food allergies.  The idea is to have snacks persons with food allergies can share with others. Premium Chocolatiers, Amandas Own and Vermont Nut Free are other options to order allergy free chocolates.
  • Making reservations for a date night out?  Notify the restaurant before you go of any allergies you or your loved one  have to prevent an accidental exposure.  Here's a list of allergy friendly restaurants in NYC.
  • Want to give a good night kiss?  Many food allergies are transferred in saliva.  If your dating someone with food allergies, it's smart to watch what you've eaten as well. 
Want to send flowers? 
  • Pollen from flowers is a common cause of allergic asthma. 
  • What are the best flowers to send those with allergies? Orchids, begonia, cactus, clematis, columbine, crocus, daffodil and geraniums are terrific options.
  • Use caution with flowers like lilies, chamomile, chrysanthemums, daisies, goldenrod and ordinary sunflowers are among the worst. They have strong pollens that can often cause a severe allergic reaction.
Ordering up a Massage?
  • Use caution with new creams and oils.  Many suffer from allergies in their skin and new contact exposures can trigger an out break.
  • Beware many organic products contain nut oils.  These can trigger a reaction.
Want to be Very Intimate?
  • Latex allergy with condoms can cause severe irritation during sex.  I've had patients with latex allergy who ended up in the emergency room after a night of passion because of latex allergy. 
  • If you're loved one is latex allergic make sure to use latex free condoms and other latex free products.
  • Visit Latex Allergy Resources for more specific advice.
Follow this simple advice to keep the focus on the love rather than the allergy this upcoming Valentine's Day.


Need more specific advice?  Contact me in my office at 212-679-3574 
or on line schedule appointment.

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