Non-Food Allergies

Because being allergic to a bunch of food stuffs isn’t complicated enough, here’s a list of all my other non-food allergies. Honestly, my daily goal is stay safe and out of the hospital!

Outdoor scene featuring Lis Blanchard's non-food allergies with sun, tree, grass, panting dog, spider, rose bush, bee, and spraying aresol can

Bees/Wasps (anaphylactic – if you see me flailing around and running in circles it’s likely because I’m trying to outrun a bee)

Vitiligo (a sun sensitivity that removes melanin which could result in melanoma – if I have to be outside, a hat and high SPF sunscreen are my best friends)

Animal Saliva (creeping itchy rash – one lick and I’m off to the hospital for treatment)

Animal Dander (sneezing, swollen eyes, itchy everything – there is not enough Benedryl in the world)

Grass (sneezing, watery eyes – luckily I’m not outside much because of the vitiligo)

Tree Pollen (sneezing, runny nose, swollen/watery eyes, itchy throat, itchy ears, headache, fatigue)

Flowers (sneezing, runny nose – I love the way they look though, so I try to buy flowers with minimal scent. No roses for me.)

Aerosols (wheezing – growing up in the 80s using Aquanet wasn’t easy!)

Cosmetics (skin rash – because of all my food allergies, I always have dark circles under my eyes and because I can’t cover them with make-up I look a lot older than I really am)

Retinol (crusty, bumpy rash – tried this cream once under my eyes and couldn’t see for a week)