When you think about allergies, you might imagine sneezing, watery eyes, or itchy skin. But your immune system can also fight substances that shouldn’t be there, like certain foods or pollens.
Allergies can develop at any age. But some allergies may be more serious than others. Can you be allergic to someone sexually?
1. Semen Allergy
Semen allergy, also called seminal plasma hypersensitivity, is a condition that causes the immune system to overreact to proteins in the male reproductive fluids. Men and women of all ages can develop this type of allergy, which affects the skin in areas where it comes into contact with semen, including the vulva, vagina and shaft of the penis. Symptoms include itching, burning, redness and swelling of these areas. A severe reaction can cause anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening and can lead to a rapid drop in blood pressure.
Semen allergies are rare and can be difficult to diagnose, since the symptoms resemble those of other conditions like a yeast infection or herpes outbreak. “Ob/gyns often look for infections and other gynecological issues before considering the possibility of a semen allergy,” SELF expert Sherry Ross, M.D., tells SELF. “They may ask if the person is using a condom during sex and then observe any symptoms.”
The most common treatment method for semen allergy is to use a condom during sexual intercourse. Semen allergies are also sometimes treated with desensitization, in which a doctor injects diluted semen under the skin in an effort to make the body more tolerant of it. In some cases, this may be combined with oral immunotherapy (OIT), a process in which the patient takes an injection of diluted allergens to build up tolerance.
2. Insect Allergy
When most people are stung by an insect, they have a local reaction, which appears as redness, swelling and itching near the sting site. This is the result of histamine and other chemicals being released by the body tissues near to the sting. If you are allergic to insect venom, you will have an overreaction of your immune system to the proteins in the venom. After the first sting, your body produces antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). If you are stung again by an insect of the same kind, these IgE antibodies will interact with the venom and cause the release of other chemicals that cause symptoms.
A severe, life-threatening reaction to insect stings is called anaphylaxis. It occurs in about three people a year in Australia and requires emergency treatment with adrenaline injection, often in the form of EpiPen or similar devices. The most common triggers of anaphylaxis are bees, wasps, yellow jackets and hornets. However, a reaction to venom from ticks, fleas and ants can also occur.
For mild allergic reactions to stings and bites, you can treat yourself with over-the-counter medication or other at-home treatments. You can also discuss your symptoms with an allergist to find out if allergy blood tests or skin testing is appropriate for you. Venom immunotherapy can help reduce your sensitivity to the allergen, which can prevent future severe reactions.
3. Latex Allergy
A lot of sex toys and condoms contain latex, which can cause allergy symptoms in some people. If you have a latex allergy, you might have a rash or a feeling of itching when you use certain condoms or sex toys, and some people might experience vaginal irritation or even bleeding after using latex condoms.
Natural rubber latex is a milky fluid found in the bark of some trees, and it contains a protein that can cause allergic reactions in some people. This allergy usually happens when you touch something that has latex in it, such as gloves or balloons, or breathe in the particles.
If you are allergic to latex, your immune system mistakenly identifies the proteins as harmful invaders and triggers antibodies to fight them off. Those antibodies then release chemicals that can trigger all kinds of allergy symptoms, from itching to breathing difficulties and low blood pressure. The more times you are exposed to latex, the stronger your reaction may get.
A doctor can diagnose a latex allergy with a skin test. In this test, your provider puts a bit of latex on your skin and then scratches or pricks the area. If you react, your body produces specific antibodies that help the doctor determine if you are allergic to latex. Some people who are allergic to latex may also be allergic to certain foods, since some of these foods have proteins that are similar to the ones in latex.
4. Hormone Allergy
Allergies to a sex hormone like semen can affect your sexual life in ways you might not expect. This type of allergy is called seminal plasma hypersensitivity and usually affects women or people assigned female at birth. It isn’t caused by sperm but rather proteins in the semen. It can cause a localized reaction around the genital area or any part of the body that comes into contact with it, such as the hands or mouth. In more severe cases, this type of allergy can lead to a serious allergic reaction such as trouble breathing or anaphylaxis. Semen allergies can be triggered by menstrual cycles, pregnancy, taking oral contraceptive pills or using in vitro fertilization.
Allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and congestion can make you feel anything but sexy. They can also lead to a lack of sleep, which can have other negative effects on your sex life. Allergy medications like antihistamines and nasal sprays can also have unintended side effects, including drowsiness.
Some researchers have reported a link between recurrent miscarriages and steroid hormone hypersensitivity in women. However, a direct causal link hasn’t been proven yet. A hormone allergy can interfere with getting pregnant and can even make it impossible to get pregnant. Treatment options for this condition include washing sperm to remove the protein causing the allergy, desensitizing you with hormone birth control or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and surgery in very severe cases.
