Sleeping badly, forgetting your sportswear or a dog that needs to be walked: all excuses you can use when you don’t feel like exercising. Unfortunately, these excuses are quite transparent. Looking for a real excuse? Then we have good news: you can be allergic to sports!
Allergic to sports
Yes, you read it correctly: you can be allergic to sports. This allergy is called anaphylaxis, and although it is not common, it does exist. People who suffer from exercise-induced anaphylaxis may experience symptoms such as redness, hives, severe swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, tightness of the chest and wheezing, dizziness or fainting due to a rapid drop in blood pressure, diarrhea and, in very severe cases, even cardiovascular collapses – a fatal malfunction of the heart and blood vessels. So a serious matter!
Rare condition
Only a small group actually suffers from this condition, about 50 out of every 100,000 people. How this allergy develops is still unclear, but there seems to be a link between food allergies and sports. In particular, wheat and shellfish could be triggers, but paracetamol also belongs to this list.
“It’s rare, but physical activity, usually vigorous, can trigger anaphylaxis,” emphasizes certified allergist and immunologist Ratika Gupta on the allergic reaction. “Usually there are other subtle triggers that work in conjunction with physical activity. These symptoms can be several.”
An allergic reaction can occur when a person is hypersensitive to certain substances called allergens. Your body reacts violently when you come into contact with such a substance. Symptoms can range from mild itching to, as described earlier, severe breathing problems. Fortunately, we do not have to fear that this severe allergy will overwhelm us because, as we have already mentioned, only a small group suffers from it. It is also important not to confuse being a little out of breath and a red head after a cardio class with the allergy. Too bad!