SC - sulfa and sulfites

[Anne-Marie Rousseau]

re: sulfites and sulfa allergies, etc.

Again, it is important to distinguish the classical immunological 
response of true allergies from the more general and more common 
intolerance that are common with some foodstuffs.

If one is allergic to something, very specific things happen. Histimines 
get released, which causes rashes, swelling, itching, runny nose and 
eyes, shortness of breath, etc. People can be allergic to beestings (the 
proteins in the venom, actually) for example and exhibit syptoms like 
those described here.

If someone is intolerant of something (and this is often confused and 
called an allergy), common effects include heachaches, digestive upsets, etc.
Most people aren't really "allergic" to sulfites, they just cause nasty 
headaches in some people.

The only way to be sure of being allergic to something is to have a test 
done by a specialist.

- --Anne-Marie, who is very allergic to penicillin and very intolerant of 
some things in food (migraine triggers), and is an immunologist by day.

- --
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Anne-Marie Rousseau
rousseau at scn.org
Seattle, Washington
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