You’re Allergic to What!?

Lots of us experience allergies, whether it’s sniffles from pollen or hives from cat hair, but there are a few bizarre allergies that cause us to wonder why they happen and how people deal. Allergist Dr. Manjul Dixit, a physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, says she’s seen a lot of allergies and reactions, and little surprises her anymore. So, we asked her to shed some light on the world's weirdest allergens.

Runny nose and watery eyes? For some, it could be fall’s early-morning blanket of fog. “I've had allergies all my life, and I recently noticed that I'm allergic to the fog in San Francisco,” says Catherine Goldberg. “I thought this was too bizarre, but … when the fog rolls in my nose starts to run and my eyes itch.”

Explained: “Fog is an irritant exposure, more common in patients who already have allergic predisposition,” says Dixit.

An exercise allergy might sound like the perfect excuse for hitting the snooze button in the morning and avoiding treadmills all the time, but those who suffer from exercise-induced anaphylaxis can get hives, or have major stomach problems or life-threatening breathing issues. Not fun.

Explained: Generally, it’s more irritating than dangerous, but it does cause aggravating reactions. “Exercise can fall into the irritant category, at times causing more symptoms in already predisposed allergy patients,” says Dixit.

Sweet lovers beware: “When I eat it, I get very itchy hives on my forearms,” says Kat Murello from New York. “It completely sucks. I have to be very careful when at a restaurant because most desserts have some form of cocoa in them."

Explained: Not as weird as you think. “Chocolate, and a wide variety of foods, are all common agents,” says Dixit. Other symptoms may include swelling of the tongue, mouth and throat.

According to ABC, 21-year-old Michaela Dutton is one of the rare few who suffer from aquagenic urticaria, a condition where the allergic person breaks out in hives when water touches the skin. “It’s horrible,” she says. “I couldn’t believe it at first.”

Explained: Dixit says that a topical water allergy is scarce. “Water as an ingestant versus topical is more common, but topical exposure to water causing rashes has been reported.”

From a nasty rash to bleeding blisters, the sun can wreak some serious havoc. Most of the time, symptoms pop up a few days after exposure, but in the worst cases, welts can break out in just a few minutes, making it paramount to stay covered up 24/7.

Explained: “Sun exposure tends to cause more skin-type symptoms and rashes,” says Dixit, but she explains that the worst-case-scenario reactions are uncommon.

For most, a mosquito bite is just an itchy annoyance, about the the size of a pencil head—but not for those allergic to the bugs. “I'm talking big, wide, hot, hard welts,” says Aleasa Word. “It's awful and embarrassing … I've had some literally get the size of a saucer.”

Explained: “Mosquitos usually cause a large, local irritant skin reaction versus an ‘allergic’ reaction, though the data is becoming more consistent with allergies,” says Dixit.

Aleasa Word's son also has a bizarre allergy of his own: cold temperatures, causing him to break out in hives. “We live in the Delaware,” Aleasa explains. “So, I let him play briefly outside in snow, 10 minutes maximum, if he's not already having an episode. But no rolling in snow."

Explained: Dixit calls cold an “irritant allergy,” similar to fog, causing symptoms in people with sensitive systems.

Kaleb Bussenschutt is allergic to all food and drink, with the exception of water and one very specific brand of lemonade. He is fed formula nearly round the clock to get nutrients, according to Yahoo! Shine. If he does ingest food, he can have reactions ranging from ulcers to severe vomiting spells.

Explained: “Almost any protein can cause any allergic reaction,” says Dixit. “The most common symptom caused by foods is hives, but food can cause also cause chest tightness, coughing, swelling of any body part, difficulty in swallowing, and any other symptom consistent with anaphylaxis. Then, many foods cause allergy-like symptoms but are not actually antigenic; they are thought to be more intolerances.” Basically, this one’s very, very rare perfect storm—but possible.

Joanne Mackie was distraught when she couldn't hold her newborn son because she was continually breaking out in blisters. The culprits were rare antibodies, formed during her pregnancy. “At first, when I was told I was allergic to my own baby, I thought it was some sort of joke,” Mackie told The Daily Mail.

Explained: This one even stumped our allergist. “I have no idea,” says Dixit. “I can't even begin to understand that!”