A cheese allergy. Really?

[Owlie]

Not dairy in general. I can eat it with no problem. In fact, most cheese is no problem. There is only one problem cheese, and it happens to be very tasty. If I stick it under the broiler on toast (and it melts thoroughly) or put it in mac and cheese, it presents no problem. If I eat it on a cracker or by itself, my lips start itching. I figure it's some mold specific to that cheese or something in the milk related to whatever they're feeding the cows that gets destroyed in cooking. I have similar issues with peanuts, almonds, carrots, under-ripe cherries and celery--it's apparently related to the fact that I have bad seasonal allergies. But cheese? Seriously?

[NbyNW]

Interesting. Could it be the food coloring that's present in some cheese? I seem to remember that they orangey color is from a vegetable dye, but could you be reacting to that?

Or if it's one problem cheese, maybe there is something specific about where it is made, what the cows are eating, etc.

[Owlie]

Interesting. Could it be the food coloring that's present in some cheese? I seem to remember that they orangey color is from a vegetable dye, but could you be reacting to that?

Or if it's one problem cheese, maybe there is something specific about where it is made, what the cows are eating, etc.

It's a white cheddar, so no food coloring--it's pretty much milk, vegetable rennet and salt (and mold).

[zoom-zoom]

Oh, please don't give my body any ideas. Mold allergies run in my family and I'm from WI...it's bad enough that I'm lactose intolerant as of the last 5 years or so. I can do cultured dairy (like cheese and yogurt), but any significant quantity of milk gets me. Ice cream and milkshakes sometimes make me sick. And that makes me cry.

[malkin]

Allergies and sensitivities can be so weird (and annoying).

Do all white cheddars cause this or just the one you like best?

[jusdooit]

I really hate to be the one to suggest this, but I think you probably have a dairy allergy that is getting amplified by someting about this particular cheese. Or perhaps it is processed by the same equipment used to make something you are allergic to and is cross contaminating the cheese.
Food allergies are not related to seasonal allergies except that people with one are more likely to have both. I have over 20 food allergies AND 20+ "airborne" allergies. Unfortunately the only treatment for food allergies is avoidance.
Good luck. Hope you are can find a cheese you enjoy and tolerate.