Mysterious Allergic Reaction

[hopefull]

I woke up with hives a few days ago. Went to the doc because I'd had a tick bite a few days prior to this reaction. I've done nothing different, but the doc says its not the tick, but an allergic reaction to something. I don't have a big problem with allergies. Is it possible to all the sudden become allergic to something you've eaten or used all your life. The hives were pretty bad. I'd like to figure this out. Worry about next time I come into contact with whatever ? it was.

 

[horseshowmom]

I developed a severe allergic reaction to pineapple several years ago. It was more gradual than an overnight outbreak of hives though. It started as a heartburnish chest pain feeling after eating it, to developing while I was eating it, until the last time I ate it, I nearly called 911. I now avoid all pineapple juice products,canned or fresh...and it stinks! I LOVE fresh pineapple and keep thinking I'll try it one more time just to see if I outgrew it. Fortunately, my family is usually around to stop me. I have also never had allergies or asthma to anything (other than penicillin) and it developed out of the blue in my 30s. I don't know why our bodies suddenly do that? Hopefully you can pinpoint whatever you reacted to. My reaction did take several consecutive exposures before reaching that critical point, so you may very well be able to figure it out.
Good luck to you!

Becky

 

[kathryn]

Several years ago, I went to a movie and decided to eat bad: I ordered a large popcorn (with that motor-oil-like fake butter) and a rootbeer (but had brought my own nutritional yeast to put on the popcorn). I woke up in the middle of the night having trouble breathing (I was gasping) and suddenly felt itching going up (or down, I can't remember?) my back. I got up and looked in the mirror and had hives on my back. I drove to the emergency room pronto (the gasping for air was not a good thing, IMO).

It didn't get worse, but it was kind of scary.

 

[autumn]

Is it possible to all the sudden become allergic to something you've eaten or used all your life.

Yes. The immune system is complex. Allergies develop to things we've been exposed to at some point.

Did your doctor plan further evaluation or follow-up?

I understand your concern. I'm dealing with a hives/angioedema (lip swelling) mystery. I've had recurrent episodes of angioedema over the last few weeks and 3 in the last week-it can be scary. It seems mine are not allergic reactions though - darn it - but probably just my crazy immune system with a new malfunction.

 

[Shelshula]

The body does some weird stuff, every now and then I break out in a severe case of hives from stress. Last time it happened was a couple of years ago when I was on vacation in Denver, between the altitude, lack of sleep and getting an airplane cold, I was kapput and broke out in hives. I ended up in the emergency room covered in hives and panicking. (Somehow being sick when you travel always makes the sickness feel worse.) The time before that was when I started a new job and was afraid of my boss. Both times I took zyrtec until it calmed down and then all would be good for a few years...

I only mention because hives isn't always a symptom of an allergic reaction. Try some zyrtec or benedryl, and if it doesn't help call your doctor.

 

[expatter]

About six years ago, I had my first hives attack and went to the ER. I made an appt with a specialist who told me it might be virtually impossible to find out what combination of things triggered my attack. He said that if it happened again and I wanted to, I could try a battery of tests to try and figure it out. He gave me a prescription for an EpiPen in case it happened again and it would take to long for me to seek treatment.

Since then, I have one or two attacks per year. I've been able to figure out it happens when I'm dehydrated, under stress and have ususally been cleaning then eat something that triggers the hives. I now know that, for me, as soon as my scalp starts itching as well as the inside of my left elbow, I should take a Benadryl.

My last attack happened after having had Kraft Mac & Cheese and green beans for dinner. In an attempt to narrow down my problem further, I had both the Kraft and green beans as left overs the next day. Nothing. No reaction at all.

I would prefer to know what I'm allergic to but, unless my problem gets worse, I've figured out how to manage it. If the Benadryl were to fail, then I have the EpiPen as a backup.

 

[morningstar]

I get hives from certain types of penicillin. Actually, I've been itchy lately all over my torso and I'm not sure why; I have pretty sensitive skin, so everything I use is for that- unscented laundry detergent, that kind of thing.

 

[PhyllisG]

Yes it is possible to suddenly develop allergies to something you have been using, eating for a long time. My BIL had to be rushed to the ER where he almost died after eating shellfish. He had always enjoyed it with no problems. He was found gasping for air in the middle of the night and his family had to rush him to the hospital where the MD said he would have died if they had not got him help. He remains allergic and has to be sure there is no shellfish in anything that he eats. But it is funny in that he too sometimes gets the feeling to try it again to see how he reacts because he likes it so much. Is that your body sabotaging you?!

 

[hopefull]

Stress makes sense!

I''ve been on vacations so just read the responses to this post today. My doctor wanted me to take steroids. I refused! Took benadryl for several days and the hives went away. Steroids!!! It wasn't that bad. Steroids are a last ditch deal in my book. The post on stress really made sense to me. I had this reaction during the last two days of school. The last two days of school with middle schoolers could give anyone hives. I'll go with that till next time. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[catr]

I got hives when I was around 13 after eating a lot of wild blackberries. It was a one-time event--maybe because it was a particularly good year and I never had the opportunity to over-indulge again. I can eat domestic blackberries these days with no problem, but you can't pig out on grocery store berries at the prices they go for.

I guess you could try to remember everything you ate or drank the previous day and if you had unusual quantities of a particular item. I think hives occur reasonably soon after you've eaten something if that is the problem.

 

[RapidBreath]

it doesn't have to be a food

It could be pollen that just came in through your air vents. Or it could be a contact with something on your pet or in the garden. I had a nasty allergic reaction and with my skin compromised, degraded into a skin infection for 10 days. It was aweful. I haven't ventured out into the garden yet. I'm a-scared!