Tannin Allergy

[Nuts]

I'm looking for sources for a colleague who is being asked to advise on tannin allergy. Personally, while I vaguely recall this mentioned iv'e never actually met anyone with such an allergy or knew it's possible effect. Obviously most would be concerned with teas, wine, other domestic tannin sources. Iv'e been searching for info on tannin levels in wild streams, I mean here in tassie some water looks tea-strength.. so maybe it will be an issue.. It's for the OLT first and most sources are clear(ish), more a west coast or low country thing, draining from buttongrass etc. but obviously there is some content still, in the various tarns etc. perhaps it will be a matter of hut water only?

Anyone have an allergy or know more of this in relation to bushwalking and/or concern from native sources and levels?
I really wanted a research source to point too but anecdotal advice welcome?

[Gadgetgeek]

thats an interesting one. I would wonder if someone who was not tested would even know? maybe thinking that they had a different allergy (sulfates in the wine, caffeine, or something else in tea) I have seen a few cases where a person claims an allergy to a thing, but is exposed to it in other circumstances often adhesive allergies and latex allergies get confused or combined, or other preservatives are the cause, but the person thinks its the more common allergy.

[Nuts]

Thanks Gadget, yes it is a bit of a curly one. I'm not particularly allergic to anything but have seen first hand that some such allergies can be immediate and serious.The fall back advice is obviously going to be their doctors but iv'e spent a good amount of time today reading of this without finding a reference to watercourse tannin.

[Nuts]

It seems the only definitive test would be to send the person a water sample. Even then, given it's not the 'Tannin' generally but whatever particular constituent causing an allergic reaction it could be any one (or none) of thousands found in suspended organic matter. More commonly, some are allergic to tea and not wine eg. I wonder how many people get a bit queeezy without ever suspecting any allergy or putting it down to the spectrum/quantity of bacteria (gastro). There's a work around with water tanks on hut walks, 'suck and see' for many native waters.

[GPSGuided]

I agree. If someone is truly allergic with serious consequences, then it's a matter of total avoidance. Otherwise it's all relative and there aren't likely to be any categorical promises of the water content as they may vary by time and location. Suck and see with an epipen on standby...

[rogo]

I am sensitive to tea and red wine. It makes me feel unwell and can make me vomit. But I would not say I'm allergic and I have drunk the Tassie water without any consequences. Actually I didn't even give it a thought that I might have the same reaction.

[Nuts]

hmmm, yeah, that doesn't sound nice, if it's at an allergy level and from some remote source it could be a bit more serious, vomiting, dehydration etc.

Thanks rogo.