Allergic Reaction

[Tilly2]

This morning, whilst sitting at my computer, I began to feel odd. I developed a temperature, my face was burning and the skin on my arms felt 'uncomfortable'. I went upstairs to get dressed and looked in the mirror. My eyelids, forehead and my lips were swollen, my face was blotched with pink, sore areas and I had a rash on both my arms.
I took an antihistamine tablet and within a couple of hours the rash and the swelling had gone.

I had only had two drinks of hot water. Nothing else.

From now on, I am going to have an antihistamine every day. How will I know when I can stop taking them? Just trial and error?

[mikey4444]

Well, my advice would be to go to see your GP asap Tilly.

[gness]

You really need to find out the cause.....my peanut allergy....which is now severe....started with symptoms that came on a while after I'd eaten peanuts....

[Tilly2]

Mikey, I'll consider going to the GP if it persists.

[Sqad]

I am not sure that a Dr would have anything more to offer, than you have done yourself.
If this is a "one off" then just see what happens if you only take the one anti-histamine.
If it recurs,then take another anti-histamine and keep a diary to see if you can identify a trigger......e.g food.

[woofgang]

Another vote for some allergy testing at the docs. Allergies can go from feeling bad to life threatening with scary speed.

[Tilly2]

I believe that it was something in the air, Gness, rather than something I'd eaten twelve hours earlier. Probably some variety of pollen.

[Tilly2]

Thank you all for your replies. I will see what tomorrow brings but will keep the antihistamines close by, just in case.

[237SJ]

I am not sure that pollen would have caused a mild anaphylactic reaction. Yes, definitely keep the antihistamines to hand

[Tilly2]

I have so many different types of antihistamines in the cupboard, 237. I don't quite know which ones to take, I have the older ones, chlorpheniramine maleate , cetirizine and the newer ones, lotratadine. This morning, I took a cetirizine, but I do have others.

This reaction happens to me on a yearly basis. I generally take the chlorpheniramine maleate. It's a bit of a nightmare really.

[237SJ]

If it happens on a seasonal basis and doesn't get any worse then I guess it must be something to do with pollen. Piriton (as you are taking) is good - just stick with what works for you

[Tilly2]

I will continue with the Piriton, 237. I just wanted to know how long to take it for, really. Not knowing what type of pollen it is, is a a bit of a pain.
Many years ago, I was on playground duty at school and during the following lesson, my face and arms and legs swelled up in a blotchy red mess. I was sent home, but called in the doctors on the way. I demanded that I saw a doctor and, when seen, was given an injection of epinephrine. I then collapsed and was in the surgery for an hour, recovering.

I then spent the next twelve days, at home, covered in wheals whilst taking antihistamine tablets. It was truly awful. I/we never did find out what happened.

I carry antihistamines with me all the time, if I'm away from home for any length of time.

[237SJ]

I would think that if you don't know which type of pollen it is then you should get tested. My sister has chronic rhinitis which was caused by an allergy. She has had it since she was about 20 (she is in her 50's now). The NHS were not much use but she has private health insurance and when she finally got an answer, it turned out that she is allergic to grass. Not grass pollen, just green grass. I told her she should go to live in Dubai or somewhere!

[Tilly2]

So what does your sister do, 237? Does she just keep taking the antihistamines?

[237SJ]

No she doesn't because the lining of her nose is so damaged now that nothing will help her.

[Tilly2]

Oh dear. I am sorry to hear that.

[melv16]

It could be those collared dove feathers you had to clear up?

[Tilly2]

Possibly, Melv. I didn't think of that. :-(

[237SJ]

Thanks. She sounds like she has a permanent cold and I can never give her scented candles or reed diffusers as a gift because she can't smell them. By the way, we have switched from Piriton to Benadryl at work - it might be worth trying that

[Tilly2]

Benadryl's one of the newer non-drowsy ones isn't it?

[237SJ]

I don't know. We use it in first aid so we are not really too worried about drowsiness after the event.