Sexually transmitted allergen

We talked about sex in class and sexually transmitted infections, (HPV) but we never really talked about the dangers of sex beyond infections, as in death.

NO, not by a disease, but by an allergic reaction. The first culprit would be latex, as in condoms. According to the American Latex Allergy Association, less than 1% of United States citizens suffer from a latex allergy. This group of people need to be sure to have condoms made with no latex, as to avoid the reaction.

Seems easy enough right? Can’t say the same for people with allergic reactions to Brazil Nuts.

"BrazilNut1" by Taken by Deathworm at en.wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BrazilNut1.JPG#/media/File:BrazilNut1.JPG

“BrazilNut1” by Taken by Deathworm at en.wikipedia – Transferred from en.wikipedia.

Brazil nuts are the only know allergen that can spread through semen. So if my partner eats Brazil nuts and then we have sexual contact, I can still have a reaction that could lead to death. As far as I know, Brazil nuts are the only allergen that has this effect.

 

So be careful about what you, and your partner eat!

6 thoughts on “Sexually transmitted allergen

  1. zrl5024

    There needs to be more studies to prove this. While I’m sure the information posted is accurate, I have nothing but what is said in this post. This has so much potential, but I would of liked to learn more about what is contained in these nuts or in latex that allows the spread of infection to occur.

  2. cmd6021

    This was a very interesting blog post and it was something I never really thought about. It obviously a very issue with very serious consequences. I think more people need to become aware of issues like this because people can be having sex and not realize that allergies can be a risk factor along with the obvious of STDs and unplanned pregnancy. I looked up allergies and sex and the most bizarre story
    http://gawker.com/5819464/woman-dies-of-allergic-reaction-to-the-dog-she-had-sex-with came up but basically a women had sex with a dog and the dogs semen caused an allergic reaction and she ended up dying from it. (http://gawker.com/5819464/woman-dies-of-allergic-reaction-to-the-dog-she-had-sex-with) Although it’s an extreme because a dog was involved, it could totally happen between humans and its something the public should become more aware of.

  3. Nicole Cherie Paul

    This is such an interesting topic and quite frightening! You have a good argument and I think it could be even stronger with supporting facts or examples.

    Check out this article (http://io9.com/5846182/woman-nearly-dies-from-allergic-reaction-to-sexually-transmitted-brazil-nuts) explaining a case of a 20-year-old woman who came into a hospital in the UK suffering from a triggered nut allergy. It was assumed that her partner had triggered her allergy, since he had been consuming Brazil nuts earlier. He swore up and down, though, that he had carefully brushed his teeth, washed out his mouth, and washed his hands and face before he came into contact with her. Doctor’s were mystified, though, by the fact that the allergy hadn’t been triggered until after they’d had sex. The allergies should have been triggered earlier.

    Also take it a step further and provide a way to measure this/quantify this (http://io9.com/5846182/woman-nearly-dies-from-allergic-reaction-to-sexually-transmitted-brazil-nuts) A ‘skin prick test on the semen’ (will horrors never cease?) showed no allergens before he consumed the nuts, but significant allergens afterwards. Although nut allergies are often triggered by kissing or touching, this is generally thought to be because particles remain on the mouth, skin, or under the fingernails. Physicians doubted that the nut proteins ended up in sweat or saliva, because the allergic reaction would have started earlier, and have been triggered in other couples. It appears that Brazil nut proteins resist digestion, which is why they generally end up in the immune system, triggering immune reactions. It seems this resistance to digestion also lets them go at least one other place.

    Overall awesome topic, and well written blog!

  4. Jensen T Sneeringer

    I recently read here that there was actually a case of a woman being allergic to her husband’s sweat and semen. The article was intriguing and states that this is the first and only known case of someone being allergic to another person’s sweat!

  5. Lauren Mary Zelasko

    This is extremely interesting as we recently discussed how ebola can now be transmitted sexually as well. It is interesting to see how these different things are now being transferred in different ways. My question would be why? What is it that makes brazil nuts different from other nuts? This article seems to go in depth about the reality of sexually transmitted allergens, but I failed to find anything that talked about the future of this new reality. Could it be humans are changing in a way, or are certain nuts changing and allowing this effect to occur? There are many questions that could still be raised in this research

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