Heloise

Dear Heloise: This is a warning/tip for adults with a nut allergy. My 40-year-old daughter was at a craft brewery with friends enjoying a beer when she began having a mild reaction, as she has with her allergy to several nuts. She took the appropriate steps immediately and is fine. She called me the next day asking “what are the chances?” When I went on the brewery’s website, this particular beer had already been removed, so we couldn’t even check the ingredients.

So, this is a word to the wise. Apparently, beer ingredients needn’t be listed on the label. If you have a nut allergy, ask before you drink. — J.D., in St. Louis

J.D., thanks for the warning. I found out that mangos were a first cousin to poison ivy after I ate one. They’re a delicious fruit, but they’re not for me. — Heloise

VAPING ISN’T HARMLESS

Dear Heloise: My daughter gave up cigarettes and took up vaping! She went from bad to worse as far as I’m concerned, but she keeps saying that vaping is harmless. Is it harmless? — Andrea K., in Iowa

Andrea, no, it’s not harmless. According to the Centers for Disease Control, many vaping devices contain more nicotine than cigarettes. They also have cancer-causing chemicals and heavy metals, and they can irritate the lungs. The use of an e-cigarette isn’t safer than cigarettes, but many young people believe that they’ll quit before there is any real danger — or that they won’t be affected by vaping. — Heloise

HAVE MEDICAL INFO READY

Dear Heloise: When someone calls emergency services and rescue personnel comes to your house, you may not be able to give them the facts that they’d need to take care of you. This is why I have vital medical information on one sheet of paper, which I have laminated and affixed to the back of my front door. It includes my full name, date of birth, age, my primary care physician with their phone number, emergency contacts with their addresses and phone numbers, allergies, important highlights of my medical history, medications and supplements, surgeries, etc.

I also indicate that I have a cat and include the name of their veterinarian and the vet’s phone number. This information could save your life if you’re unable to speak to the rescue personnel. — Hannelore R., in Omaha, Nebraska

TOOTHPASTE TABLETS

Dear Heloise: Regarding the different ways to squeeze the last bits of toothpaste from a tube, I have a “greener” solution: Purchase toothpaste tablets! I buy these in bulk at a sustainable shop in Webster Groves, Missouri. Toothpaste tablets take a bit of getting used to, but they clean teeth just as well as “regular” toothpaste. According to Nature.com, toothpaste tubes take 500 years to decompose. — Jan, in St. Louis

Jan, in all honesty, I’ve never seen toothpaste tablets in any store. Still, it’s an interesting idea. — Heloise

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.