Nervous Man Introduces Date To His Hives
TORONTO—Admitting that he had butterflies in anticipation, local man Greg Fitzsimmons reported feeling nervous Friday before introducing his date to his hives for the first time. 'They can get irritated pretty easily, so I really hope everybody gets along,' said the 33-year-old, confessing that it had been quite some time since he had brought a woman home to meet his urticaria. 'I've had them for a while now, so they've seen plenty of women come and go, but they don't always react well to new interactions. Sometimes they'll blow up and I don't even know what it was that triggered them. Maybe a little liquid Benadryl would help everybody play it cool.' Fitzsimmons went on to say that if everything went well, he hoped he would soon be meeting her bunions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
Woman Lets Boyfriend Try Her Food—Then Waiter Spots the Danger
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A woman has captured the terrifying moment she gave her boyfriend a bite of food—only to realize that he's allergic. Dhaniela Marrero, who goes by Mimi, was enjoying a meal out with her boyfriend, Luis, when the accident occurred. She bit into a snail and was blown away by its delicious taste, and she simply had to get her boyfriend to give it a try. The problem however is that Luis, 23, has a shellfish allergy. Mimi, 22, of Miami, Florida, told Newsweek that she didn't realize snails were considered shellfish, and she "thought nothing at all about it." Neither did Luis, who didn't question it before tasting the food. "At the time, we thought snails were land animals since we see them all the time outside our homes, especially at night," Mimi said. Luis, 23, eating a snail before realizing it's a shellfish which he's allergic to. Luis, 23, eating a snail before realizing it's a shellfish which he's allergic to. @mimiimimosaa / TikTok Thankfully, Luis told their server about his allergy at the beginning of the evening and the staff quickly stepped in. After seeing Mimi feed Luis a bit of snail, the server was quick to address the issue. "He looked over at Luis eating the snail and raised concerns to us, saying that he cannot eat snails because they are shellfish," Mimi continued. "Luis was fearful and I felt immediate regret and fault for not being more cautious when letting him try new food knowing he has an allergy." Prior to this moment, Luis remembers cutting his hand on a fishing hook that had used shrimp as bait. The following day, he awoke with his hand "completely swollen and red." Fortunately, Luis didn't experience any symptoms after eating the snail, but he still took some Benadryl to be safe. Indeed, shellfish allergies are the most common food allergies in adults, with approximately 2 percent of the U.S. population reportedly suffering. It's thought that around 60 percent of people with shellfish allergies experience their first reaction as adults, according to the charity Food Allergy Research and Education. Shellfish are categorized into two groups, crustaceans and mollusks (or bivalves). Snails come under the latter, along with clams, mussels, oysters and squid. Mimi shared a video of the moment she accidentally gave her boyfriend some shellfish on TikTok (@mimiimimosaa). In just a matter of days, the video has gone viral with over 7 million views and more than 324,700 likes on TikTok at the time of writing. The online response has been mixed, as many people were shocked at how relaxed the couple were about a food allergy, while others also had no idea that snails are shellfish. Mimi told Newsweek: "I would like to add that we are human and make mistakes—this was one of them. None of us knew snails belonged to a shellfish family, or we would have never let Luis eat one. "I've had responses from people as shocked as us to learn that snails are a type of shellfish, to people bashing and belittling us for being unaware. Some people have even gone as far as saying he should break up with me, while other people see it was simple human error." Next time they're out for food, Mimi says she's going to Google search any food she's not sure about to play it safe. The viral TikTok post has generated over 2,800 comments so far. One user wrote: "This is exactly why you tell your server allergy vs preference. A good server will do exactly this: save your life." Another TikTok user replied: "I'm allergic to shellfish and had NO clue that snails counted as shellfish." While another comment reads: "Bless this waiter for being aware! Food allergies are no joke!" Do you have any viral videos or pictures that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Forbes
Seasonal Allergies Can Affect Dogs: Here's What You Need To Know
A beagle scratches at itchy skin in a grassy yard. getty One spring morning last year, New Mexico writer Zach Hively had a rude awakening. His most recently adopted dog — 'a purebred who knows what?' named Ryzhik — had apparently been so itchy in the night that he'd injured his face from scratching so much. 'He tore it up,' Hively recalls. 'He'd scratched part of his face open. He had been bleeding, and he did tear out some fur. He looked rough — a little bit around his mouth, but it was really around his eyes. He also scratched up inside his ears. It was awful.' Hively immediately took his dog to the veterinarian, who assessed, 'It's that time of year and it's probably allergies.' The team recommended wiping his dog's face after being outside and starting on the prescription medication Apoquel or over-the-counter Benadryl — the latter of which was Hively's choice, since he takes Benadryl for his own allergies. In fact, he figured out Ryzhik's allergies align with his own, which makes it easier to manage. 'I definitely have juniper allergies, and we flare up the exact same day,' he says. 'When mine ease up, his ease up.' The Benadryl dosage plan suggested by the veterinary team for Ryzhik worked, and Hively didn't see any adverse side effects like drowsiness, which he appreciates since 'I'm all about quality of life.' 'This year, we got much more preventative. The day my allergy started and I woke up sneezing, I just started him on Benadryl,' he says. 'That first day he had scratched himself up a little tiny bit, but nothing like last year.' While seasonal allergies can affect cats, it's more common to see dog allergies, according to Christina Lavery, DVM, a veterinarian at the nonprofit Humane Colorado, which operates a large animal shelter in Denver. 'It's very similar to humans — how we experience environmental allergies more commonly in the spring and summer,' she says. 'But animals can experience environmental allergies at any point during the year. It's pretty variable depending on the individual.' Symptoms of seasonal allergies in dogs range from mild to severe. Minor seasonal allergies might lead to a slight runny nose, goopy eyes, and a little bit of redness around the eyes or along the conjunctiva (the tissue in borders around eyeballs), Dr. Lavery says. Dogs with severe seasonal allergies may experience: 'Another one that I see pretty frequently is lichenification, which basically just means roughened and thickened appearance of the skin,' she adds. 'Chronic cases of allergies that have been going on for months to years can develop that really thickened, leathery appearance of the skin. When I see that, it tells me the patient has been dealing with it for a very long time and maybe not had it managed the best for quite a bit of time.' Often when a dog experiences a sudden onset of allergies, veterinarians will treat it with steroids, according to Dr. Lavery. 'Tackling the inflammation is one of the best ways to treat allergies,' she says. 'So putting a stop to the immune system and treating it with steroids is really good for an acute onset, but long-term steroids have a lot of side effects to them, so we really try to avoid using steroids long-term for allergy patients.' Fortunately, there are 'great options' to help manage and treat allergies in patients. 'The veterinary community has made pretty big strides in allergy treatment and prevention over the past few years,' Dr. Lavery says. The injectable monoclonal antibody treatment Cytopoint is one popular option. 'It is targeting and neutralizing what is known as a cytokine. It's basically a protein that our body produces in times of inflammation, so it targets and neutralizes these cytokines and these proteins that cause itch,' she says. 'When we see allergies and we see dogs that are itching and licking and scratching so much, taking away that itch factor prevents the worsening of that inflammation.' Cytopoint lasts 1-3 months, depending on the dog, she notes, and is a good option for people who don't like giving the dog oral medications once or twice a day. Alternatively, the oral tablets Zenrelia or Apoquel also inhibit cytokines that cause itchiness. Depending on the patient's clinical signs, they might be the choice for people who prefer to start with oral medications, according to Dr. Lavery. She feels the antihistamine Benadryl is better for dogs with minor clinical signs, but not for dogs developing ear infections, rashes, and hotspots. Dr. Lavery recommends frequent bathing for dogs with environmental allergies that involve rashes and really red skin. 'Most general practices have a medicated shampoo that they like to give out to clients,' she says. 'What you're doing is basically rinsing off all of those allergens that are sitting on the skin that are potentially causing irritation.' How often you bathe your dog will depend on the severity of symptoms, but typically every 1-2 weeks, she says. Dogs with minor clinical signs might benefit from aloe or oatmeal shampoos, and having their paws and legs wiped off when they come inside. She also suggests frequent ear cleanings with a cleaner provided by a veterinarian for dogs who develop ear infections from allergies. 'Ear infections are almost always due to an underlying allergy,' Dr. Lavery says. 'Owners will bring their patient in and say, 'He's just shaking his head like crazy.' The ears will seem really hot, really inflamed.' Keeping skin as healthy as possible is wise, so she gives fish oil supplements to her rescue dog, Joey. 'It's to keep that healthy skin barrier to prevent those allergens from digging deep and causing that allergic reaction,' she says. Ultimately, the key is working with your veterinarian to tailor a treatment plan to your dog's needs. One of her own dogs, a golden retriever named Tucker, needed Cytopoint injections year-round to avoid developing hotspots and ear infections from allergies. 'But I've known a lot of dogs who only get Cytopoint injections when it starts to bloom – all the flowers and leaves and everything – and they only need it during the spring and summer months,' she says. 'It truly is patient-dependent on how frequently medications are needed and what the patient needs to have the allergies managed.'
Miami Herald
24-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Colorado legislators tightened regulation of the herbal remedy kratom. But will Gov. Jared Polis veto the bill?
DENVER - As Gov. Jared Polis ponders a bill to increase Colorado's regulation of the herbal remedy kratom, Dave Bregger said he feels like he's on "pins and needles." The bill on Polis's desk bears the name of Bregger's son - Daniel Bregger, a 33-year-old Denver resident who died in 2021 after ingesting kratom and diphenhydramine, a common ingredient in Benadryl and sleep aids. But whether Polis will sign the bill into law or not remains a mystery. Supporters of Senate Bill 72 pushed the legislation through on the last day of the session after using a rare parliamentary maneuver. They say the new law would help rein in the most dangerous forms of kratom, while leaving consumer choice intact. Industry opponents - including one company employing unconventional methods - are pushing for a veto, arguing the law would sow confusion in a growing market and ultimately harm consumers looking for a safe, effective product. Kratom, a traditional herbal remedy from Southeast Asia, has exploded in popularity and availability in the United States over the past decade. Proponents point to the plant's potential for a variety of uses, including as a stimulant or pain reliever, or as treatment for depression, anxiety and opioid withdrawal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned against the use of kratom because of the herb's potential for addiction, liver toxicity and seizures. The Harvard Medical School warns of "considerable uncertainty of (kratom's) health risks," including a lack of regulation. But a general lack of independent research means there's not enough information for a definitive conclusion about the plant, either. Supporters of kratom argue that the herb by itself has proven safe for tens of millions of consumers, though tragedy has struck some, including Daniel Bregger. A 2024 Washington Post analysis found kratom implicated in 846 deaths across 30 states and Washington, D.C., in 2022, though the vast majority involved other substances as well. Daniel Bregger's father, Dave, said his son was a healthy young man enjoying the best of Colorado with his brother - hiking, mountain biking, skiing - and simply looking for a natural treatment for anxiety. Kratom and diphenhydramine, however, had a severe interaction that led to his death. Knowing kratom has shown promise for some people's pain management, Dave Bregger doesn't want a ban, he said. He just wants stronger warnings and regulations to stop other parents from feeling their world shatter. Bill's supporters deploy 'super motion' Colorado lawmakers passed SB 72 to build on existing regulations for the emerging product. If the bill becomes law, sellers would need to bar kratom from being sold as candy or in a way that appeals to children, increase labeling requirements and limit how much kratom's more potent active compound, 7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly marketed as 7-OH, can be found in the product. The state already bars the sale of kratom to people younger than 21 under a law Polis signed in 2022. The new law's labeling requirements would include a warning that kratom can have unforeseen interactions with certain medications, in the hopes of preventing future deaths. The bill was pared back from Sen. Kyle Mullica's original vision of a new license to sell kratom because of Colorado's budget crunch. He didn't "want to sit idly by" waiting for the state's fiscal outlook to improve while, in his view, a potential public health crisis emerged around an underregulated drug. "They're selling it at every smoke shop," said Mullica, a Thornton Democrat and emergency room nurse. "They want to make it seem like it's this healthy thing and it's causing real harm. It has very addictive properties." The bipartisan bill faced a wave of pushback and an unusual path to passage. After the bill passed the Senate with 30 of 35 members voting yes, supporters in the House used a so-called "super motion" to clear a key committee in the waning days of the legislative session. A super motion, in effect, bypasses a committee hearing - and the chair, who controls the agenda - to force a bill to the floor for consideration by the whole chamber. Rep. Matt Soper, a Delta Republican and sponsor of the bill, said it was the first time in more than 30 years the parliamentary maneuver had been used. The tactic paid off. The House voted 47-18 to pass the bill. Now, the measure sits on Polis' desk, with no clear indication if the governor will sign it into law. He has until June 6 to veto the measure. "Governor Polis is reviewing the final form of the bill, inclusive of the changes that were made at the end of the process," spokesperson Shelby Wieman said in a statement. The bill went through several amendments in its final week before passing on the last day of the legislative session. Pushing for veto with $30 gift cards The industry, meanwhile, has been jockeying for a veto. Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust, or HART, an advocacy group for plant-based treatments, including kratom, said in a statement that the bill "fails to create any meaningful regulation" for the industry and called the measure "hastily written and ill-considered." In an interview, members of the group said they want more regulation for the industry - but they want clear regulation and clear enforcement. The crux of the complaint fell on how the state defines concentration limits for 7-OH, the key compound in some kratom products' effects. The bill creates artificial limits on the compound, while leaving loopholes for bad actors looking to game the percentage-based limit, said Kyle Ray, a board member for the trust and president of kratom manufacturer Colorado Chromatography. Because the bill limits the percentage of the 7-OH compound, manufacturers could bump up the total amount of other ingredients and create an overall less safe product. "There is no regulator, there is no licensing process where they have to come inspect your facility," Ray said. "That is beyond frustrating. It's dangerous for the consumer." He also advocated for the compound as a "powerful harm reduction tool" against opioid addiction and overdose because of how it interacts with the body's chemical receptors. Some medical professionals have questioned how effective kratom is in treating opioid addiction. While the bill wouldn't ban the 7-OH compound - something Ray is grateful for - other members of the trust have still made it a rallying cry. CBD American Shaman, a national distributor based in Kansas City, Missouri, and a member of HART, urged customers to "Protect 7-OH–Stop Colorado SB 72!" - and offered people $30 worth of product if they sent their state representatives a prewritten email about it. CBD American Shaman did not return a request for comment. Jeff Smith, national policy director for HART, said in a statement "that some small businesses are turning to creative strategies to engage and mobilize their customers in the face of what they see as existential threats to their companies." "Our focus at HART remains on promoting responsible, evidence-based regulation of kratom and 7-OH, and ensuring that the voices of consumers, patients and small businesses are part of that conversation," Smith added. 'Giving people information - that works' Soper and Mullica, the bill sponsors, each said they'd never seen advocates on any side of a bill try to essentially pay customers to lobby an issue. It's not immediately clear if the practice is explicitly barred. The Colorado Secretary of State's Office declined to comment because a complaint could be filed about the practice, though none had been as of midweek. They both see the bill as a win, if Polis signs it, particularly for addressing access by people younger than 21 and limits on synthetic products. They both said the push is about informing the public about what they're consuming, not a ban. "I would be lobbying to have it vetoed myself if it were an outright ban," Soper said. "Prohibitions don't work. Outright bans don't work. But giving people information - that works." Meanwhile, Dave Bregger, whose son died from the mix of kratom and diphenhydramine, is also waiting for Polis's decision. He's asked for a signing ceremony and an invitation, if Polis makes it law. "We've got to start somewhere. Watered down as it is, we've got to be able to build on it in future years," Dave Bregger said. "Doing nothing at this point would just be exasperating to me. Something has got to be done. It's a plague in Colorado." _____ Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
