New immune system = New allergies?

WC3

Has anyone developed allergies during or after their treatment?

My immune system took a beating during my first cycle and now it seems I have a new allergy. I went to open the spice container tonight, which had some grease residue on it and whatever particles were embedded in it, and almost instantly, the portion of my hands that made contact with the container turned red and began to itch. I washed my hands twice with hot, soapy water but six hours later they still itch. I haven't been this itchy since I put my head down on my pillow, not realizing that previously my cat hard curled up on it after rolling in grass pollen.

Denise-G

New allergies are "fairly" common after chemotherapy. I developed gluten, wheat, and dairy allergies during chemo, and they remain with me

6.5 years later. I write a breast cancer blog, and many, many people have written me about allergies they have developed during chemotherapy

for all kinds of different cancers and chemo drugs.

Also, I never had seasonal allergies before chemo, but now I do. However, those have improved through the years.

GOOD luck on discovering any new allergies you may have developed.

WC3

Hi Denise-G:

Thanks for the reply. I hope I don't get any severe allergies. I've invested in a box of benadryl.

couragement

Hi WC3,

How are you? Funny you should post this, I just developed an allergy about 2 weeks ago (am 9 months out from my last infusion) to vinegars. I LOVE vinegar (balsamic, cider, rice) and put it on everything so I am mourning its loss. I thought, hmm, what if I have an allergy to molds now and so I tried some beloved blue cheese (but not with goat, cheddar or others). Oh my! My sinus' filled up, I got super tired and my body ached and I got a migraine. All brand new symptoms. I am really going to have to pay attention in a new way. Like you say Denise-G it takes some doing to discover what these new allergies are!

Best of luck to you both!

WC3

Hi couragement:

I've been doing ok today, how are you?

My palms started itching today though after I touched some tools so now I'm trying to figure out what the spice container and the tools have in common. I'm thinking some pollen paricles maybe.

couragement

Hi WC3,

I am doing well, thanks. I like your spirit... life with spices, tools... . You know I have been reacting to spices myself lately. How far into your treatment are you? I think for sure your doctors will want to know about these new allergies, especially if you have just had one cycle.

Best of luck with everything!

WC3

couragement:

I made an attempt to make Lebanese stuffed grape leaves for dinner and to put a new hole in my belt as I've lost weight. I only succeeded at one of those things and it wasn't dinner, hah! I hate cooking :-)

I'm almost halfway through chemotherapy. My hands didn't look or feel dry but I put some lotion on them anyway and that seems to help.

Linmat

My allergies are insane. I finished chemo & Herceptin/Perjeta last May, but the allergies developed recently. I NEVER had allergies. I developed sinus issues & vertigo from the fluid. I thought they were colds at first, but I'm almost certain they're seasonal, or dust allergies. Trying air purifier and sleeping with Eucalyptus justified.

wallycat

I developed allergies in my 40s when perimenopause hit...no cancer at the time that we knew of.