Allergy injections cured patient’s warts

August 28, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I read the story in the newspaper about the person who got an infection and sunscreen helped her. I also have a story that is also weird.

My daughter suffers from allergies which are severe. She is allergic to almost everything and has been since the age of 4. At 12, I had her allergies tested and they were off the chart. She tested positive for all weeds, most trees, grass, animals, etc. (the list is long). She had been hospitalized for allergy-induced asthma attacks before which caused her to be on prednisone at times.

At about 16, she started to get plantar warts on her feet and they spread like wildfire because of the prednisone; even when not on it, they spread. By the time she started allergy shots, she had had two minors surgeries on one foot for the warts, [Read more…]

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Itchy ears due to allergies

August 22, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have had itchy dandruff on my head for 40 years. Then I started wearing hearing aids and the itching was terrible in my ears. I went to a dermatologist who told me to take Zyrtec, an antihistamine. It ended all the itching on my head and in my ears. A lifetime of itchiness is gone.

DEAR DR. GOTT: I read your recent article in my local paper about cleaning ears. I have a purebred Bassett hound who has chronic ear problems due, of course, to the length of her ears. The proper formula for cleaning them in 1/3 water, 1/3 alcohol and 1/3 white vinegar. I have found this to be much less harsh than the straight alcohol/vinegar solution and I believe that it would work for humans as well.
[Read more…]

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Medical issues plague patient

June 8, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 76-year-old female. My meds are Benicar, hydroclorothiazide, atenolol for hypertension, Zantac for GERD, potassium chloride, simvastatin for high cholesterol, Levemir for diabetes, an 81 mg aspirin most days, and a nitroglycerin patch for angina. I still have a lot of chest pain, even with the patch.

I am allergic to molds, most fragrances, smoke, many medications – (especially narcotics for pain). Twenty-five years ago I had a distal pancreatectomy and now have developed a small tumor in the remaining head of the pancreas. My father died at 83 from pancreatic cancer, my mother at 96 from multiple myeloma. My father had CAD which I now have. My doctor prescribed Plavix that causes extreme itching but no rash, so I discontinued its use. I tried Effient. Same itching. [Read more…]

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Excess mucous likely due to allergy

June 4, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am 99 years old, celebrating my centennial birthday in August 2012. I am female. I have never smoked or drank alcohol. I’ve had several surgeries, including gallbladder removal, hysterectomy, tonsils, etc. My mind is clear and I’m very active for someone my age. I have arthritis in my back, neck and knees.

I have had digestive problems for many, many years. I have gone to numerous doctors, including two or three gastroenterologists. I take isosorbide and nitro (when needed). I have had a pacemaker for two years. My question is this: I have a lot of mucous, especially in the mornings. I have to cough and spit for an hour or two to try to get rid of it. I’ve had this for more years than I can remember. Doctors don’t seem to think it’s anything to worry about. One doctor had me try an over-the-counter antihistamine. It may have helped but made me very sick to my stomach. [Read more…]

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No wooden toothpicks for this chap

April 3, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: As a child I frequently suffered from mouth sores. By chance I chewed on a wooden fork while eating French fried potatoes at age 12. (I am now 70.) The following day I had about 20 sores in my mouth near my lips.

Although no doctor then, or now, believed wooden utensils, tongue depressors or any other treated wood products put in the mouth caused these sores, I religiously made sure I did not use them. I didn’t have a sore again until I was 35.

I was at a function where chicken was served on wooden skewers. I carefully removed the skewer and ate the chicken. Two days later I had about 100 sores in my mouth and down my throat. I was in agony. My dentist helped [Read more…]

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Is sinus condition an allergy?

December 2, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: For years I have had sinus issues, only on the left side of my nasal septum. An ENT looked at my X-ray and said it was just allergies. I use a corticosteroid nasal spray and a mucous thinner. My glasses bother me at the left side of the bridge. They have been adjusted, taken apart and put back together, but nothing helps. I have gotten new glasses and they are the same. I also have had bouts of “TMJ” where the bow of my glasses hurt only above my left ear. High doses of ibuprofen will break the pain cycle after a while. I also wear a night guard over my teeth. I usually sleep on my right side as it helps to keep the left sinus draining. What is going on?

DEAR READER: Because you are having continued trouble despite treatment, I recommend you seek out a second opinion or request further testing.
[Read more…]

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Joint and muscle pain caused by allergies

October 4, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am 75 years old and have what I believe is muscle and joint pain caused by allergies, similar to the lady that wrote you a while back. For me it happens mostly in the fall but when the aches and pain come, I just take antihistamines until the first freeze and then all is okay. This note is only to tell you that there are more like her out there.

DEAR DR. GOTT: Sometime ago you had an article about muscle and joint pain caused by allergies. Well, I am one of those people. This has been going for many years and I have been to so many doctors and have had many tests but everyone tells me there is nothing wrong, it’s probably my imagination. I also have told all the doctors I have been to that after I take an antihistamine, I have relief. No one believes me.
[Read more…]

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Allergic reaction causes hives

April 14, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I enjoy your column very much. I went to a physician for hives. He did a host of blood work and only found low vitamin D levels. He said there is an ingredient called carrageenan that causes allergic reactions and inflammation in the body. He told me to go home and check everything I use to see if it’s in there. Sure enough, the creamer that I have every day had it in there. I thought that this couldn’t possibly be the answer; it was too simple. I stopped using the creamer anyway, and my hives disappeared. Just to be sure, I used the creamer again and broke out with hives within 30 minutes.

The amazing doctor who suggested this to me during my one visit then “ran off” to Arizona to practice integrative medicine. I only knew him as Dr. P, but I will always be grateful to him. Please share this with your readers so that maybe it can help some of them, too.
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Is MCS for real?

April 12, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a crippling problem for those who suffer from it. I would like to educate people about the problem because most people think that I’m crazy or that “just getting fresh air” will resolve the problem. The effects of chemicals used in personal and laundry products act as neurotoxins on my system, resulting in neurological difficulties — diminished cognitive function, loss of equilibrium, fogging vision, etc. Local drugstores and laundry-detergent aisles are lethal vats of poison for MCS sufferers. I am a massage therapist and have asked clients to refrain from wearing fragrance, but I have found their use of fragrant laundry products more dangerous than cologne. In particular, dryer sheets are extremely poisonous and cannot be purged from the room just by airing it out. I urge people to investigate the toxicity of their laundry products.
[Read more…]

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Warm skin may be caused by swelling

September 12, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: For three months, I have had warm skin. I have seen my primary doctor, a naturopath and a dermatologist. All three have told me that I have inflammation under my skin but none has been able to help me. Can you?

DEAR READER: Without knowing more, I cannot be certain, but the first thing that comes to mind is angioedema. This is an inflammation of the tissues just under the skin. There are two types — hereditary and acquired. Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is rare and genetic. Acquired angioedema is much more common and often the result of an allergic reaction, and it typically affects the skin around the eyes and lips. I urge you to speak to your physician about this possibility.

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