More allergies...sad.

[kadi]

While travelling this past week, I got 2 red patches on my neck. I thought they were just super-dry skin & put extra Lubriderm on them. I had a several-hour long IC flare Monday night, but was very relieved that my nighttime meds & a couple of extra TUMS calmed it within a few hours.

When I got to the airport Tuesday morning, the patches had spread & were really really red (looked & felt like sunburn). On the flight, I ate Triscuits and 15 min later the rash really burned and my forearms got tiny bumps. I put on hydrocortisone cream last night, but today my neck is bright red, and my body is covered with little bumps. My throat itches inside too.

I called the advice nurse from my insurance. She said I could go to ER if I wanted, but it was not "medically necessary" (meaning I'd get a big bill). She told me to take Benadryl every 4-6 hours til the rash had been gone for 24 hours. So, I made an appt to see a doctor on Friday if it's not gone by then.

I'm upset because the only thing I can think might have caused this is that I've eaten foods with soy lecithin this week. (a lot of butterscotch chip cookies, a white chocolate kitkat, Triscuits). I tested allergic to soy last March, but have never had any trouble with it, and the allergist told me most soy-allergic patients are still ok with soy lecithin and soybean oil. She also told me my allergy was very low & I didn't need to worry about avoiding lecithin or oil. But, I can't think of anything else.

My diet is so restricted already-I'm on the extreme end of the IC diet, plus allergies to peanuts, legumes, avocados, fish, shellfish. I'm really depressed that now I've probably got even more to avoid...

Travelling & eating out were my two favorite things before IC, I'm really sad at how difficult and sometimes impossible IC can make these things.

[Dixiefireball]

do you think it might had been the Lubriderm you was using? was it new?
just a thought.
you may even been near someone that had something on your allegic too
I think your doing the right thing by going in and seeing your doctor Friday. i would call and make sure he is in before you make a trip for nothing.
Hope that nasty rash clears up soon so you can start the New year off right and hopefully pain free.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[ICNDonna]

What medications are you taking? It's possible that you have developed a new allergy to a medication. Also, since it started around your neck, it could be a contact allergy. Is the rash only on parts of your body in contact with clothing? Did you wash any of your clothes while you were away? What kind of soap did you use? Did you use any kind of different soap to shower? The throat problem is a good indicator that it's probably something you ingested, however.

If the benadryl doesn't help the rash by mid afternoon today, I suggest you call your doctor for advice --- not the insurance company --- they are trained to discourage medical treatment in an ER unless you have chest pain!

I hope you feel better soon.

Hugs,
Donna (mother of three children with allergies)

[kadi]

Thanks Donna & Dixie,
It's always a relief to be able to come here for support! Well, just went to the allergist - they were wonderful & worked me in. The doc said he doesn't know what triggered the rash, too many possibilities with the travel (hotel sheets & towels, lost luggage & crowded airport stress, unknown food ingredients in restaurant food), family visit (holiday stress, exposure to dog, unfamiliar laundry soap, lotion & clothes - my suitcase got lost on the way & took a few days to catch up with me...)

Anyhow, he gave me 4 days of Prednisone, and a bagful of antihistamines to try... So, hopefully that will do the trick! He doesn't think this is food related, but said to wait til it calms down to retry any suspect foods....

Happy New Year, guys!

[Dixiefireball]

Glad you was able to get into the doctor today. Hope the steroids start working quickly.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[Katrina]

I hope it isn't food. I know how much of a problem it can be when there is little you can eat from personal experience. I hope you are able to avoid the same problem from happening again. It Doesn't sound like any fun.

[Zipper]

deleted

[navemj]

Hi,
I was reading on this website about food allergies. I have always felt like I have allergies. I was tested years ago by the scratch test on my back which showed multiple allergies. I then took a blood test which showed up nothing. How did you find out if you were allegric to certain foods?

Thanks,
Maryann

[kadi]

I had the scratch test on my back, which showed the allergies. The blood test though said I was "mildly" allergic to these foods.

BUT--I don't believe my allergies are "mild"--the last 2 times I ate fish & shellfish, I vomited for hours & was horrifically dizzy. When I took Cystoprotek which is shellfish based I had a dramatic bladder pain flare & migraine. The last time I ate peanuts, it took a visit to Urgent Care & a shot of Atarax & oral meds to stop the sandpaper rash & hives all over my body. The doctor there told me if I ate peanuts again, I was risking anaphalaxis. And when I rode an airplane which served peanuts, I threw up, then wheezed. I now carry an Epi-pen for air travel.

So, I just believe the scratch test & my own body's reactions & eliminated those foods. I got some minor IC improvement from not eating those things, but no great relief...