Allergy

[Liney]

I work as a chef and have recently developed an allergic reaction to all kinds of vegetables, especially tomatoes, peppers, onions and citrus. Handling these foods feels like rubbing my hands with stinging nettles and it's impossible to avoid them. I can wear gloves for preparing them but during a busy service this is not practical. I love my job but my skin is now always itchy, sore and cracked - not great from a hygiene perspective either - and I am worried that a career change is the only answer. Does anyone have any ideas?

[Doc Spock]

Don't eat there.

[crossroads]

were a forensic suit.

[Goodsoulette]

have you tried some loratadine or other kind of antihistimine. It might help.

[Goodsoulette]

Do you wach all the veg throughly before you prep it. I have worked in kitchens and I know lots of folk dont.

[Liney]

I am really upset about this and don't have a clue what to do. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[crossroads]

OK, its time for a serious answer.
Maybe, working with food is not such a good idea but if you are really passionate about it and want to continue working with food, i would personally use antihistimine.
Good luck!!!!

[Liney]

Thanks Goodsoulette! Yes, I wash the veg. What's this antihistamine? I have only heard of ones you take orally - is this a cream to prevent a reaction or to treat it?

[crossroads]

Maybe this will help:
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/food_a llergy.html

[Goodsoulette]

yeah, amazingly oral antihistimines can work wonders! I would get s tub of barrier cream and wear corn starch latex gloves they are snug and feel like your own hands. If a brain surgeon can work with them then you can certainly prep some veg. Its very stressful in the kitchen I know but after a week you wont be able to tell the difference.

you could get yourself some antihistimine cream in the meantime. The tablets you can get on prescription but you can get them over the counter at any pharmacists.

My boy is allergic to suncream and oral antihistimines work on him.

[Liney]

Thanks so much for your answers. It looks like there might be a solution after all!

[sense4all]

Try this :
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/product.aspx/!8944

[pastafreak]

I read this question because I also work in a kitchen and have developed allergies. But mine are to the gloves! I have been looking for Derma-Guard for ages ever since I read about it several years ago-so I thank senseforall-and i hope this works for both me and liney.

[pastafreak]

Liney-I have tried the DERMAGUARD and after only 3 days it seems to be working. My problem is with the gloves-even so-called sensitive skin ones will cause me problems particularly when they start to 'sweat' against my skin. I had them on all day yesterday after applying the dermaguard and there is no sign of rash or irritation. Get some...it may do the trick at a very resonable price-good luck!

[Liney]

Dermaguard is amazing! I am so pleased that I've found something that works, and that pastafreak has found it useful too. Thanks a million.