I have a medical condition that is a bit odd. I have cold urticaria.
Basically, I am allergic to the cold. If I am exposed to cold air for
longer than 10-15 minutes, once I start warming back up I get hives
all over my skin. It itches so badly that I will scratch until I
bleed. I have scars on my legs from a reaction a few years ago. I work
as a stocker in a grocery store. My supervisor thinks it is hilarious
to ask me to spend the whole morning stocking the dairy and beer
sections. I tried not to complain, and after the first time it
happened I brought in extra clothing to wear for the next time he
asked me. He thinks it is hilarious to watch me break out and spend
the afternoon scratching myself raw. The second time he assigned me to
the dairy case, I began to bundle up to avoid a reaction. He saw me
and said he would write me up for violating the uniform code. It would
help if I took a Benedryl, but then I wouldn’t be able to do my job
because I would be so drowsy. My doctor has told me there isn’t much I
can do, beyond bundling up or taking a Benedryl, and because my
condition is more of a nuisance than an emergeny medical condition, he
can’t really write me a note that my supervisor will take seriously. I
would complain to the store manager, but my supervisor is the
manager’s can’t-do-anything-wrong son. I’m fucked until I find a new
job.
you doctor write you a note and it would seem to me that you’re manager is obligated to accomodate needs under the ADA. seems like you need to get an attorney and your can-do-no-wrong supervisor will be the one that is fucked.
I’ve never heard of this condition, but if it’s true I would make the boss……sorry, can’t think of anything bad enough yet. I’ll be back after a couple cups of coffee….
dammit, UP!! I wanted to be first on this one!!!
You need to change doctors since the current one seems to be another a. hole in this situation.
Your problem is beyond a mere nuisance. I know…been there, so if you cannot win with your supervisors, you need to clobber them with a note from a doctor that is more understanding.
too fucking bad nuke. the early bird gets the worm!!!
@UP….you didn’t need to swear at me! Now you’ve hurt the only feeling that I have. BTW….I don’t like worms!!
OP: I have subdermal eczema. Do you know what that means? It means that when I sweat, I get blisters under my skin from sweat. It was an annoyance that covered the bottom of my feet. So, my doctor wrote me a note so I wouldn’t have to wear boots in the office during a particularly hot summer.
Any allergic reaction is more than a nuisance if it causes a hives reaction. The skin is your largest organ and I don’t know a single doctor that thinks it’s okay to tamper with that organ.
Because this story is so outlandish and riddled with references to recent news stories regarding “cold uticaria”, I find it fake. This is another fabled imagination from our editor to spur our comments.
Op if this is true by law you can go to a dr and get a note if than your boss still thinks it funny as hell that your breaking out you can sue your company.
My dear OP
I humbly suggest that you find work that you are capable of doing. While it is incumbent upon an employer to accomodate persons with disabilities, it is slightly disingenuous to take on a position knowing that you are incapable of performing some of the duties.
I, myself, am unable to put things in my eyes, such as contact lenses. Therefore, I would never take a job as a model for coloured contacts, even though such positions have been offered to me due to my physical beauty.
I have that condition. Where are the references to recent news stories? I’m not very awake yet, so maybe I’m missing something.
i have a condition whereby i start thinking naster thoughts my nipples and penis harden and become sensitive. it makes me feel groovy but i am concerned.
Sounds like you need a new doctor, one with a functioning brain.
I have a similar conidtion urban I always get horny and my nipples get rock hard.
OC:
Maybe it was more newsworthy here in the Minnesota tundra. Here are some of the links:
http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/connections/article_93e36fe2-4928-11e1-8b31-001871e3ce6c.html
http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/health/are-you-or-your-child-allergic-to-the-cold-temperatures
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/medical/coldflu/story/2012-01-23/Allergic-to-cold-Its-a-real-condition-experts-say/52759906/1
http://www.thirdage.com/news/urticaria-tied-to-genetic-mutation_01-12-2012
http://www.jacksoncountypilot.com/Stories/Story.cfm?SID=34741
http://tucsoncitizen.com/usa-today-news/2012/01/23/yes-you-can-be-allergic-to-cold-weather/
OC:
I was just moderated for posting a bunch of links. Search USA today and ABC news and you will find the articles. It received more attention here because it’s Minnesota and we are obsessed with cold weather at this time of the year.
kate, we should get together and compare our condition.
this has got to be fake. too similar to recent stories.
btw, where’s Walternator at? he should be praying this disease away from the OP.
You should really be praying that the Good Lord will help to ease your pain OP!
I have never seen anything about it on the news. In fact, I thought I was going crazy until I googled “allergic to cold weather” and found that I’m not the only one. My husband thought I was trying to play a prank on him–until one day I had a reaction and showed him.
Totally urban
OC, what news subscription should I buy you so that you can stay up on the news?
Urban, you will be stoked when Kate’s penis gets rock hard.
As for the story, not sure I can roll my eyes hard enough. Any doctor that refuses to write notes for a condition like that, would be sued… Also, I find it hard to believe that a manager would treat someone that unfairly, for he would most definitely get fired if you reported him. Furthermore, one benydryl won’t cause you to be that sleepy if you ate Working. I took three of.them bitches and it.took me HOURS to fall asleep. So if this.story is.real, you need to grow a pair and take care of.yourself because no one else will.
Suze, even if her penis doesn’t get hard, i’d suck on one of her nipples for a while. As far as the benedryl goes, one knocks me on my a$$. I suggest you go and drink a beer and stop trying to be a fucking doctor.
Suze, your grammar is atrocious. What’s up with all of those random periods? Maybe you need to see your doctor about your periods showing up out of order.
I get urticaria too, OP. Mine usually comes about from prolonged exposure to heat and eating stuff I’m allergic too (although I obviously don’t do that intentionally. I first noticed it when I worked outside at a day camp,and it’s always worse on the palms of my hands. My dermatologist gave me a prescription to a drug called Xyzal, which has worked wonders for getting rid of it any time it comes up, and I don’t get drowsy. Look into it, and good luck. If your doctor isn’t a dermatologist, you should go see one, and have them write you a note to atleast be able to bundle up when you’re being maliciously told to stock the freezers.
I’m writing from my fucking phone. Shut up… And when the Fuck did I claim to be a doctor? Jesus Christ you guys are all on your rags today.
I did not even know such a condition existed. But, when I was a kid living up north, I would get really itchy and break out in a rash after spending evenings out walking in the cold. My parents never could figure out what was wrong with me–now, I guess I know. It doesn’t matter anymore, though. Florida rarely gets below freezing temperatures.
I had an annoying little problem a while back. Turns out, a little homemade chloroform took care of the problem. All I had to do was put some on a cloth and apply it to my irritation and then it was gone. Word for the wise, though…just don’t use too much. Then you’re in for a whole world of other problems. Allegedly.
Suze, I’m not on the rag. But, I think you may be. Seriously, lighten up. Get a cup of chamomile tea, eat some chocolate, soak in a bubble bath and put your feet up.
Methinks Casey Anthony is describing a whole different sort of rag.
Yeah, this story might be fake, but it might not. OP, if you’re serious, get yourself a new doctor ASAP and have him/her write your boss a detailed note. AND, while you’re at it, contact your boss’ supervisor, so they know he’s using employees’ medical conditions as entertainment. If this story IS real, that boss is the one who should be looking for a new job.
Friend had a boss in fast food who did similar stuff. Got his ass sued after he landed an employee in the hospital for putting the guy up to a job not normally in his duties BECAUSE a doctor’s note said for him not to do things of the sort. Everyone in the whole chain knew this guy as “the prick.”
I only recently started having this problem, like in the last 5 years. I’ve also developed an allergy to cherries and a sensitivity to pork. Getting old prematurely sucks.
Allow me to predict Walter’s arguments: Allergies and other such supposed medical conditions either don’t exist, or are the products of sin. Pray more. Don’t work where you can’t work. Boss sounds like an upstanding guy.
You’re so right, Oxford. Okay, so I’m probably not getting old prematurely, per se (I’m 41). I could live with the sensitivity I’d developed to citrus fruits and dairy products. But, developing a shellfish allergy was the worst! I love shellfish, and now they want to kill me. What’s up with that?
I’m not on the rag. I’m not even grumpy, so I’m wondering why you think I need to, “lighten up”….
My dear OP
I do not expect you will get any useful advice on this forum; after all, many of the posters have demonstrated their utter inability to read, as several posts suggest that you should ‘complain to the boss’ and such, which certainly shows they did not read your delightful story.
Now, while we wait for Walter and Walter to arrive, I shall give you my suggestion: your options are, quite frankly, two: you can medicate yourself to deal with your medical condition, or you can take employment elsewhere. I believe Albertsons is a fine establishment, perhaps you can seek employment there, on the condition that you remain in the dry-goods department.
Allergies and other such medical conditions either don’t exist, or are the result of sinful behavior. Pray copiously. Do not take a job in which you cannot perform the tasks you are given. The boss sounds like a dedicated and hard-working individual.
jeeez suze, saying i’m on my rag is not nice. i don’t have a gash that bleeds on a montly basis…. which reminds me of a joke…
what bleeds for 3 – 7 days and doesn’t die?
1. I am aware of this condition, it does exist and absolutely sucks for those who have it. 2. Get a note from your doctor spelling out what it is and what limitations that you have due to it. 3. Give copies to your manager, your supervisor and if you have one, the HR department/person. If the “hilarity” continues, you havea solid case so give another copy of the note to your attorney. Some businesses just don’t understand the ADA laws.
I actually believe that allergies are God’s way of weeding out the weak. He didn’t create our world to be ridden with people who complain and don’t fully enjoy the miracles life brings.
I work in a grocery outlet as well, and would hate to work with someone who didn’t feel that they should pull their weight. The long days spent working on Pa’s farm have given me a work ethic that is hard to rival. Perhaps you should try a homeopathic remedy, story teller.
Casey Anthony, good advice, my man. I plan to expand on your idea to help me get dates.
Barb, bummer to live in Florida and have a shellfish allergy. BTW, I like the Johnny Unitas jersey. He was the man!
OP, You are effed in the ay.
I am in agreement with you once again, Walter, my friend! Animal husbandry and large-scale subsistence farming have taught me many life lessons.
You have itch, I will scratch!
No thanks Vlad. I heard that when you scratch, you leave burn requiring a medication to cure.
OMG, OC, you poor thing! I can’t imagine your suffering. Though, I suppose, since you should avoid porking anyway, you probably won’t really miss the cherries. Still, no way for a person to live.
Suze, you’re right. For some odd reason, my brain has assigned a continuous tone to your comments. When I read them, I continuously imagine you are saying everything in a bitchy tone. I don’t know why, either.
Mr. X–It’s amazing how many people immediately recognize Johnny U’s number, even on a Ravens jersey. Shellfish allergies are rough in FL, but I grew up in Baltimore, where crabcakes and steamed shrimp are a way of life. My husband is starting to be a bit sensitive to shellfish as well, so he kindly cut them out of his diet. But, my children love to eat crab legs in front of me.
Wow rexy, that’s a mighty big assumption of my tone. I forgive you.
However, I’m often bitchy to the op because these stories are fake and I don’t believe there’s a person sitting at their computer crying softly as they type up the story… So, Fuck em.
I won’t even try to argue with Walters.
I stand my my ideas: Get a new doc, and get that doctor’s note. My friend-of-a-friend in fast food worked register. Only ever register, he was NEVER set to anything else. Soon as he had a doctor’s note saying he was unable to do heavy lifting, the boss – who deserved his nickname – set him to heavy lifting, which landed him in the hospital. OP’s boss is doing something similar – putting him in charge of tasks BECAUSE they’re bad for him and the boss enjoys watching him suffer. Boss should be reprimanded. Yes, his job may include time in the coolers, but it includes lots of things. Putting him ONLY on the coolers, AND forbidding him from wearing extra layers UNDER his uniform, is being an asshole and loving it.
I’m sure that a homeopathic treatment would be the work of the Devil, Walternator the Albertson’s Stockboy. I do believe that the only cure for such weakness is prayer.
If I had a nickel for everytime Zephyr Skunk so something to or about the Walters, I’d have…uh…a lot of nickels.
*said something to…
Suze, I weep softly at each and every one of these stories detailing hardship in somebody’s life. Is it not therefore true that whatever diminishes humanity diminishes me? Is an untrue story nonetheless a reflection of the breakdown in the human condition? If so, perhaps your cynicism should be replaced with understanding. Perhaps that’s the key to happiness. That or a really really nice vibrator. Heck, I don’t know.
Oh, Wilma, my dear. Homeopathic remedies aren’t sinful or the work of the devil, they are natural and from the earth. For instance, if I have an aching muscle, I stuff rice into a cloth bag, heat it and place it on the ailing ligament. It works wonders! Laughing out loud! WONDERS! If someone is trying to play God and create various remedies by blindly creating concoctions, however, then I share your sentiments.
I think I like Mr. X.
And…oh, no. Another one. NO comment.
Actually, Mayo Clinic has it listed as an actual condition: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cold-urticaria/DS01160
So.. yeah.
Sweetheart, get a new job and a lawyer. I am a healthcare professional. Your condition is real and could be serious. What this supertvisor is doing to you is torture. Your doctor should be able to write a statement about your condition to accomodate your needs. Good Luck.
you should try a second generation anti-histimine. Allegra and Claritin are supposed to be the least sedating and Zyrtec has some sedation properties. You should not take Benadryl at work if you have to drive, Benadryl can impair a person’s ability to drive for up to 8 hours after taking it.
Hope all turns out well for you
WOW – someone else with a sensitivity/allergy to the cold. I lived with it as a kid and still have problems at age 60!
People just looked at me strange when I tell them I have an
allergy to the cold.
Swelling and hives and itching ! I never took any anti-histimine. And it takes longer to have a reaction now than it
did up until about age 35 or 40 – and, too, depending on the temp
and what I am wearing. I tend to defy a little bit and living here in Texas, where it is supposed to be warmer, I still am
careful!