Question 1

what foods and products should be avoided by someone who is allergic to sulfa drugs?

Accepted Answer

Sulfa vs. sulfite: Sulfa drugs include antibiotics [septra, bactrim, pediazole] some water pills, sulfonylurea diabetes medicines, celebrex (celecoxib). There are no related food allergies. More information here:
http://allergies.About.Com/od/medicationallergies/a/sulfa_2.Htm
sulfites are common preservatives in food and certain drugs. You can find more info here:
http://allergies.About.Com/od/foodallergies/a/sulfites.Htm.

Question 2

i am confused. i have sulfa allergy since childhood, does it mean i also have allergy to sulfite in foods and sulfate in water? or are they different elements?

Accepted Answer

: These do have different molecular structures so allergy to one does not automatically mean allergy to the others.

Question 3

should i stay away from sulfa/sulfinate products like foods and cosemetics? i'm deathly allergic to sulfa drugs.. i don't get the normal rash and things like that it kills my white blood cells and it takes months to get it back to a normal level.. i have

Accepted Answer

If : If you have an allergy to a sulfa medication you should avoid sulfa medications.  However, since sulfonamides are usually used in medication and not in food, that does not necessarily mean you need to avoid foods.   Separate issue: even though sulfa is different than sulfites used to preserve foods, sometimes a person who has a sulfa allergy might also have an allergy to sulfites in foods.  Some foods you can find sulfites in include: sauerkraut, wine, different kinds of shell fish and dried fruits. If you react to any of these; i suggest you speak with an allergist so that you can be formally tested.

Question 4

how do you classify sodium laureth sulfate. i am allergic to sulfa and i need to know if my shampoo and body wash are causing me problems. one of my symptoms to food allergies is that i have no energy. lately i have had no energy. could i be absorbing it

Accepted Answer

It : It is really unlikely that yopu would absorb enought to cause any issues. Your symptoms should be addressed by your doctor.

Question 5

how long does it take for sulfa meds to work?

Accepted Answer

Sulfa meds: They start killing germs within minutes. But this depends on the germs being treated.

Question 6

if i am allergic to sulfa, am i also allergic to sulfate?

Accepted Answer

Sulfa vs Sulfate : "sulfa allergy" is a term used to describe adverse drug reactions to the antibiotic group sulfonamide, which include septra and bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim).  Sulfates and sulfites are commonly used as preservatives in foods.  While both sulfonamides and sulfates contain a sulfur molecule, they are chemically different.  Having an allergic reaction to sulfonamides is not associated with being allergic to sulfates.

Question 7

can i take sam-e if i'm allergic to sulfa?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Sulfa allergy does not extend to drugs or foods with the so-called "sulfa" structure.

Question 8

can i take dayquil if i'm allergic to sulfa?

Accepted Answer

Should be fine: None of the drugs in dayquil have sulfa moieties.

Question 9

if i'm allergic to sulfa, can i take modafinil?

Accepted Answer

Most likely: I am unaware of any issues with Modafinil and a sulfa allergy, but you can always check with the pharmacy who should know all the medications you take and assure there are no interactions with them, etc. As some medications should not be taken with modafinil.

Question 10

can you use sulphur 1x if you're allergic to sulfa?

Accepted Answer

Sulfur is not sulfa: Sulfur is an element that is part of many molecules. Sulfa is a term referring to a class of drugs, mostly antibiotics. Allergy sulfa drugs doesn't mean allergy to sulfur. Sulfur is not a commonly used medicine.

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Doctor answers about:

What foods have sulfa in them

A member asked:

What foods and products should be avoided by someone who is allergic to sulfa drugs?

A member asked:

I am confused. i have sulfa allergy since childhood, does it mean i also have allergy to sulfite in foods and sulfate in water? or are they different elements?

A member asked:

Should i stay away from sulfa/sulfinate products like foods and cosemetics? i'm deathly allergic to sulfa drugs.. i don't get the normal rash and things like that it kills my white blood cells and it takes months to get it back to a normal level.. i have

A member asked:

How do you classify sodium laureth sulfate. i am allergic to sulfa and i need to know if my shampoo and body wash are causing me problems. one of my symptoms to food allergies is that i have no energy. lately i have had no energy. could i be absorbing it

A member asked:

How long does it take for sulfa meds to work?

A member asked:

If i am allergic to sulfa, am i also allergic to sulfate?

A member asked:

Can i take sam-e if i'm allergic to sulfa?

A member asked:

Can i take dayquil if i'm allergic to sulfa?

A member asked:

If i'm allergic to sulfa, can i take modafinil?

A member asked:

Can you use sulphur 1x if you're allergic to sulfa?

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