Celebrities have allergies too

Anyone can have allergies and indeed many of our much loved and less loved celebrities have allergies. They’re just human beings after all, but I was interested to find out more.

Why don’t more celebrities share about their allergies?

The funniest one I’ve heard of recently is Jeremy Clarkson. He has apparently developed an allergy to nickel which manifested itself in scabs and a rash on his legs where the rivets in the jeans were irritating his skin. Ironic really that his main love in life is cars – which must contain loads of nickel, and he’s never seen out of his trademark stonewashed denims. He is not to be put off though and is apparently trying painting nail varnish on the metal parts to prevent a reaction. Not sure how long he’ll stick to that regime.

The challenges of having a nickel allergy

I have a nickel allergy which was diagnosed some years ago. I had to change a lot of my jewellery, but apart from that you just have to get on with life. You can’t avoid paper clips, safety pins, door handles etc. for the rest of your life. I live with my nickel allergy, try to wash my hands if I think I’ve been exposed to it etc. and I think it’s grown less agressive. Mine was triggered by having my ears pierced and wearing cheap earrings I think. I remember the doctor telling me to avoid small change; yeah right, I can see that working, unless you’re the queen or really rich. “Keep the change! I only use paper money!”

Here is a list of celebs with various different allergies:

Celebrities with lots of different allergies

1. Jeremy Clarkson – Nickel
2. Hugh Grant – Hay fever
3. Bill Clinton – Nuts
4. Steve Martin – Shellfish, mussels, shrimp
5. Britney Spears – Insect stings
6. Antonio Banderas – Insect stings
7. Drew Barrymore – Garlic, coffee
8. Halle Berry – Shellfish, shrimp
9. Billy Bob Thornton – Wheat, shellfish
10. Serena Williams – Peanut
11. Jack Dee – Penicillin
12. Ian Thorpe – Chlorine!
13. Ian Poulter – Grass
14. Jo Frost (Supernanny) – Nut allergy
15. The children of Barack and Michelle Obama
16. Matthew Broderick – Nut allergy
17. Sarah Jessica Parker – Nut allergy
18. Scarlett Johansen – grass allergy
19. Ariana Grande – Tomato allergy
20. Kim Kardashian – Cats
21. Justin Bieber – gluten
22. Tiger Woods – grass, trees, dust, and pollen.

Ian Thorpe outgrew his chlorine allergy

Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe, nicknamed “Thorpedo” during the 2004 Olympic Games after winning three gold and two silvers, also suffered from allergies. Thorpe took up swimming at five and was found to be allergic to chlorine. Giving up the pursuit for a year, he returned in an outdoor pool. He began wearing a nose clip and outgrew the allergy. Proof that you aren’t always stuck with them for life and people can overcome them to achieve great things.

Jack Dee joking about allergies

I never knew any of these celebrities had allergies, except Jack Dee, who has created a bit of a sketch around his ranting about people complaining about being allergic when they’re not really. Check out one of my previous blogs – “Jack Dee on Jonathan Ross – allergies – what a load of nonsense!”

We need more representation in the media

I’d love to see more mention of allergies in TV sitcoms, cookery programmes and films. After all, the prevelance of allergies is rising fast, or so we’re told, so surely there should be some portayal on the big screen and television. When there is it’s often misleading or sensationalist, but any exposure and awareness is good.

Do you know of any other celebs with allergies? Have you seen allergies portrayed in the media sensitively and sensibly recently? Are you a celeb with an allergy and reading my blog? Please share your thoughts.

You may also be interested in:

• Top 20 allergy jokes
• I’ve never tasted an oreo and other observations
• Coeliacs and Vegans have it easy!