Poinsetta plants and migraines--is there a connection?

A lady came in this week with longstanding migraines--on and off for five years.  And the migraine she had the day she came into the office had been present for over 2 weeks straight despite several heavy duty migraine medications.

I asked about what makes the migraines worse, and she stated that when she eats a banana, she gets a migraine.  Banana is a known cross reaction for people with a latex allergy.  She had not noticed a latex allergy before but she does  not work with medical gloves or any obvious latex where people would usually notice such an allergy. We tested latex allergy and she was positive.  Other sensitivities to a few food and environmental items also came up on testing.

Towards the end of the visit I asked if she had noticed any more migraines around Christmas time or near pointsetta plants.  Then she revealed that she grows pointsetta plants year round and has some right now in her home (In June)!  They are in bloom and one of them is stationed in front of the air intake vent for their airconditioning system.

Here is an article about latex allergy and pointsettas from: Georgia Regents University
http://news.georgiahealth.edu/archives/137

Anyone with a known latex allergy or who gets reactions from bananas should consider avoiding pointsetta plants....or at least trying to notice if they feel worse around them.  Also consider getting the allergy treated with an accupressure technique called NAET that I do in my office.  Call 360-573-2273 for more info.

Latex Allergy and Reaction Triggers

Latex Allergy

Many people know they are sensitive to latex. Others don't know why they get rashes, scaly skin, or itchiness.  This is because some allergic reactions can happen 12 to 36 hours after exposure to latex (or other allergens).  Latex allergies can be:
delayed
immediate
anaphylactic

Symptoms can include redness, itchy skin, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, itchy watery eyes, swelling, itchy throat, swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat, wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, vomiting, diarrhea, and sudden pale skin.  The more life threatening symptoms happen right away, giving away the allergy, but the rash and itchiness can occur hours later.  I have also seen tics stimulated by allergy to latex.

People often do not realise they have been exposed to latex.  Common sources of latex exposure are medical gloves, condoms, balloons, Bandaids, rubber balls such as basketballs, athletic shoes, carpeting, rubber bands, disposable diapers, swim goggles, motorcycle and bicycle hand grips, and some soft sided above ground pools.

Not all latex is natural latex. Many latex paints and memory foam mattresses are not natural latex and will not cause an allergic reaction.  However some are.  Some car interiors have latex in the dash covers, floor mats and in carpet backing.

Foods can also stimulate a latex allergic reaction.  Some food proteins cross react with latex antibodies.  Foods with high incidence of causing allergic reactions in latex sensitive people are: bananas, avocado, chestnut and kiwi.  A smaller incidence of this has been noted with apple, carrot, celery, papaya, potato, tomato, and melons.

If your or your child's symptoms seem difficult to predict, it may be a latex allergy with hidden sources of latex exposure as well as cross reactivity to foods which stimulate a latex response.  Luckily, in our office, we can test for allergy to latex as well as to foods.  In addition we can do an allergy treatment (no shots!) to decrease and eliminate the allergy.  Call today! 360-573-2273