Are contact allergies, real allergies?

[KatyMac]

Or are they uncomfortable 'something else's

I know proper allergies have to cause something to happen & I wasn't sure if contact allergies did or not

That makes little sense - But I know what I mean

I don't know.

I have a contact allergy to perfume, so itch, then get a rash, then start to hyperventilate because it sets off my asthma, so all in pretty unpleasant.

But it's definately not anaplaxsis!

Mine are many:
adhesives, metals, plastics, rubbers, toiletries, make-up, soap

The most recent appear to be almond & coconut

anything that my son is allergic to, will cause a contact reaction, of varying severity, the food ones causes hives, in location, or sometimes spread further, for instance full body hives after being hugged by someone who had previously eaten peanut.

exposure to dogs, when younger, caused hives, exposed skin flushing and a dramtic cough as throat started to close.

enviromental hives seem to cause sudden random lip and eye swelling. last cause of lower lip swelling was on saturday night, watching the fireworks, = allergen? ,mold.

I think I had an internal reaction to coconut a few weeks ago

Contact allergies are a right bugger; but don't seem the same as 'nut' allergies or other serious ones

eragon - that's interesting about fireworks. We watched some last night and DS came home with hot flushed skin on neck and face which was itchy. I gave him cetirizine so not sure what would have happened had I left it.

As usual I have no idea why!

KatyMac - I'm afraid I have no idea to your question. DS allergies are wierd and unexplainable so I'm just confused myself!

I have a contact allergy to Latex. Unfortunatly it is anaphylaxis.
KatyMac pm me if you want.

KatyMac I have your pm and will reply when I am not on my phone. For some reason I can read them but not reply.

Thanks - that's kind of you