Allergies & RA

[Arty5]

Hi

I have a history of allergies, food as a child and now mast cell degranulation. I wonder if there is a link with RA? I wonder if others have allergies, or perhaps think there is a connection?

[Hidden]

I was never allergic to anything pre RA . I’ve now have quite a few and carry an epipen. The disease that keeps on giving

[AgedCrone]

They are all on the autoimmune spectrum.The first thing my first rheumatologist asked me was did I have Hayfever or asthma as a child.So yes they are connected with RA….but I have never investigated further.

[Neonkittie17]

I think so too. I have several allergies. Many pre RA and some heightened after onset.

[snotts]

I have a couple of allergies and severe asthma - I wonder if they are linked? I guess inflammation is pretty key to asthma, allergies and RA. Does exposure to your allergens flare up your arthritis?

[bpeal1]

The only allergy I have is to some plasters. They bring me up in itchy lumps. However, since being on drugs for RA the reaction is much less.

As for asthma the jury is out. I have had a bit of a search through the literature to see if there was a link to RA as there is loads of asthma in my family. Some think as asthma maybe an autoimmune condition, some think it is definitely not and I even found one study that suggested asthma protected you from autoimmune conditions. (although I’m not sure how that works as my daughter has both!)

[Sheila_G]

I have had RA for 19 plus years and have no allergies that I am aware of.

[Knip]

I was diagnosed with Chron's Disease two years ago and the Consultant said it might have been caused by the drugs I have had for so long for RA. I have an incredibly long list of things I can't have now, and I can't eat a safe food regularly or I seem to start reacting to it. Even soaps and shampoos bring me out in hives. Most toothpastes cause the mucous membrane from my cheeks to shred off. I'm very, very, strict about what I ingest now.