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Title: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Mookie86 on March 11, 2012, 12:48:55 PM

I started having a rash on Friday.  Yesterday it was more widespread; it spread head to toe.  Today there are hives as well as the rash.  I don't feel sick, so I don't think it's viral hives, but I can't think of any new exposures:  same laundry detergent, soap, etc. and no new foods.

Might this be pollen reaction or some other environmental cause?

My allergy background:  penicillin and sulfa allergies, apple OAS, a lot of environmental and indoor allergies.

This is how my neck looked on Saturday.  I had this same rash all over my body.

(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg114/HappyFamilyof4/DSCN2732.jpg)


(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg114/HappyFamilyof4/DSCN2731.jpg)

Today I have some hives.

(http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg114/HappyFamilyof4/DSCN2753.jpg)

I have been taking 2 Benadryl every four hours.  The rash and hives get worse as the Benadryl is wearing off.

Any ideas?  Someone told me that the shape and texture of the rash/hives may indicate if it's environmental, food, or another type of reaction.

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: momma2boys on March 11, 2012, 05:50:49 PM

Did you go somewhere different Friday?  No new foods at all?  No new meds, vitamins?  Even though you didn't switch brands of soap, body wash, lotion or laundry soap did you maybe open a new bottle of one.  Maybe they changed the formula since the last bottle?

Were you around any animals?  Do you have a pet that was outside or into something?

I would see a Dr. tomorrow, you probably need prednisone.

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Mfamom on March 12, 2012, 12:40:37 AM

wow that looks very uncomfortable!  I have no ideas other than high pollen count or env.?

I hope its better soon.  Let us know how you are.  I'm surprised that benadryl and a shower isn't relieving it if its an environmental thing.  My ds used to be very hivey like that at this time of year, but a benadryl and cool shower and staying indoors ususally took care of it.

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: rebekahc on March 12, 2012, 10:57:14 AM

DD tends to react like that.  The first time was before full-blown Grade 5 anaphylaxis (ingestion) - it started on her neck and then spread.  And twice since then just on her face/ears - once was a mystery and the second time was when she used a new hair spray.

DS has reacted like that once and it was a systemic reaction to ibuprofen.

If nothing else has changed, then my guess would be environmental for you.  Just had a thought - what about DH, has he used any new products?  Maybe just being in bed with him was enough to set you off?

Hope you feel better soon!

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Mookie86 on March 12, 2012, 12:07:12 PM

Whatever caused it, it's finally getting better. I did round-the-clock 2 tablets of Benadryl for 28 hours.  Even with the 50 mg, I still got little sleep because I was so itchy.  I haven't had any Benadryl since 2 am, and today I have a lot less rash and fewer hives, and I'm only occasionally itchy.  I guess this is resolving on its own, which is great because I really didn't want to go on prednisone!  It's Day 4.

I wish there was a way to test blood and see what levels are high in it.  Then we would know what to test as potential allergens.  Too bad life doesn't work that way!  It would make things better for all of us.

I don't think there's any way to figure out what caused this reaction, so I'll just cross my fingers that it doesn't happen again!

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Mookie86 on March 12, 2012, 01:47:21 PM

Spoke too soon.  After 12 hours with no Benadryl, the hives and itchiness are back full force.  I guess it wasn't a smart idea to cut it off completely.  Am I crazy to give this until Wednesday to get under control and then if it's not to go to a doctor for prednisone?  That'd be Day 5 of the reaction.

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: rainbow on March 12, 2012, 03:03:02 PM

Have you been in the sun for the first time in a long time?   If so, could be polymorphic light eruption (allergic reaction to sun exposure).

Otherwise looks like a systemic allergic reaction.

Another possibility is a viral rash (but not sure they are actually itchy).

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Janelle205 on March 12, 2012, 04:00:20 PM

It looks a lot like the reactions that I have gotten after contact with animals with urticating hairs, but I doubt that you've been around white fuzzy caterpillars or tarantulas lately...

Hope you feel better - I would probably go into the doctor.  They may be able to give you a steroid shot instead of a course of pred, and that should give you relief pretty quickly.

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Mookie86 on March 12, 2012, 05:18:53 PM

 :rofl: no fuzzy white caterpillars or tarantula.

I took two more Benadryl at 2:30.  I slept and just woke up at 6:15.  They are virtually completely gone. Reaction definitely is subsiding.

Interesting about the light.  I don't think there's been a big difference lately in terms of light exposure, though.

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: lakeswimr on March 12, 2012, 06:53:10 PM

I have had that from laundry detergent, also from using sheets that weren't washed first, from certain deodorants, and from HEAT.  Is it warmer where you are these days?  Are you sweating more by any chance?  It doesn't even have to be enough for me to notice but increased temps can trigger it for me.  I hope you figure it out.  When I get like that sometimes I have to have prednisone or it won't go away for months.Thankfully I haven't had it bad in years.

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Ra3chel on March 12, 2012, 06:55:31 PM

Likewise to almost all of those. That's also pretty standard for me as a sort of general overload reaction--high pollen season + disassembling dusty computers + kittens, for instance.

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Mookie86 on March 12, 2012, 08:07:40 PM

I think you guys are right.  It might be an allergy cup issue if it isn't exclusively pollen-related.  I need to have 50 mg Benadryl all of the time or else it gets bad again.  With the two tablets, it isn't bad.  I will keep riding this out for another couple of days and hoping I can avoid prednisone.  I'll also be hiding out indoors.  Pollen is awful these days.

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Mfamom on March 12, 2012, 09:52:05 PM

mookie, do you have any allergies?  and have you ever had anything like this happen before?  I would be out cold if I took that much benadryl!  LOL  I really hope you're better soon. 

I have had bouts with hives at different times in my life.  two or three times during teen years, I had head to toe hives (never figured out what it was)
a few times in college, I had hives, that persisted off and on for a few days.  I thought it was from stress.
Once I broke out from a medication I was taking after an operation. 

sounds miserable.   :heart:

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Mookie86 on March 12, 2012, 10:05:26 PM

My allergies are sulfa and penicillin drugs, apples OAS, numerous environmental and indoor allergens (tree pollen, mold, dust, etc.).  Only animal issue is birds.

When I became penicillin allergic a few years ago, my reaction was like this:  rash and hives head-to-toe, and it lasted five days.  Same deal of needing to take 50 mg Benadryl every four hours.  The allergist was threatening me that it couldn't go beyond five days or I'd have to take prednisone.

In college, I had my first allergic reaction.  I developed red spots all over me following taking a sulfa medication for a sinus infection.  It was not a prolonged problem or a big deal.

Yes, I'm very tired from all of the Benadryl.  I sleep basically all day, unless I get so itchy that I can't sleep.  I'm up now waiting to take my next dose at 11:15.  My feet are too itchy to sleep, and I see there are hives on them.

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: momma2boys on March 13, 2012, 07:43:31 AM

Call the dr!!!  Prednisone is better than taking benedryl around the clock and being miserable!

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Janelle205 on March 13, 2012, 09:33:31 AM

I'm sure that your doctor won't be a jerk about it, but note for anyone else who might read this...

When I had the caterpillar rash, which looked like this, I went to the doctor after a few days (I was itching even through my sleep and would wake up with blood everywhere.)  I was working seasonally at an outdoor ed. program, and had to go to a stat-care facility, where the doctor gave me a TON of crap and asked a lot of what I thought were totally ridiculous questions before finally giving me steroids.

Apparently my caterpillar rash looked very similar to something that is common in iv drug users. 

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Mookie86 on March 14, 2012, 02:11:19 PM

I went to the doctor today.  The rash is persisting, but getting better, however today I have 100.1 and a sore throat.  My glands are a little swollen, and my throat is a little red.  Rapid strep test was negative.  The doctor thinks it's viral hives.

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: PurpleCat on March 14, 2012, 03:23:49 PM

Whatever it is, it's not fun - I hope it clears up very soon!

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: CMdeux on March 14, 2012, 03:40:58 PM

Oh, me too-- that looks just miserable, Mookie.   :grouphug:

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Janelle205 on March 14, 2012, 04:21:44 PM

I don't want to jinx you, but I also had a similar rash, low grade fever, and really horrible sore throat when I had mono.  Have you had it before?

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Mookie86 on March 14, 2012, 08:08:34 PM

Thanks for the sympathy and well wishes.  I've decided that pain is much easier to manage than itchiness.

I had mono when I was an infant.  I know, how do you tell that a 6 month old is too sleepy?  My mom swears that I tested positive for mono.

My throat isn't too sore.  Hopefully it'll stay that way!

It's hard to assess if I'm excessively tired given all of the Benadryl I've been taking.  Today, I went 12 hours between Benadryl doses, and I still needed a 2-hour nap, but my body clearly is fighting something. 

I'm making progress in terms of the rash and hives!  I took Benadryl at 7 am, and nothing reappeared until 7 pm this evening.  Of course I was busy helping the kids with dinner, shower, and so on, so I didn't catch it early and take some Benadryl to stop it from reappearing even worse.  Interestingly, the rash didn't reappear until my fever spiked up more and then broke.  I guess my body is fighting this virus in different ways.

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Macabre on March 14, 2012, 08:17:52 PM

I have had mono twice. Bonafide.

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: YouKnowWho on March 15, 2012, 05:27:44 AM

For the last four days, during dinner prep and until bed, the side of my left breast has been insanely rashy, itchy and full of hives.  WHY?

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Carefulmom on March 15, 2012, 10:29:56 AM

To me it looks like it could be scabies.  (replying to the OP)

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Mookie86 on March 15, 2012, 01:16:01 PM

I know it's hard to tell from a photo, but it looks different from scabies photos I found online.  Also, given that I had low-grade fever and swollen glands yesterday, I think the doctor is right that it is viral hives.  It continues a bit, but now I'm down to taking 1 Benadryl just a couple of times per day.

YKW, are you reacting only in the evening and then it goes away on its own?  Is it happening after you've been outside playing with the kids, so it might be pollen-related?  Also, it's hot here and I'm guessing it is hot there as well.  It's not heat rash, is it?

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: YouKnowWho on March 15, 2012, 02:37:33 PM

Quote from: Mookie86 on March 15, 2012, 01:16:01 PM

YKW, are you reacting only in the evening and then it goes away on its own?  Is it happening after you've been outside playing with the kids, so it might be pollen-related?  Also, it's hot here and I'm guessing it is hot there as well.  It's not heat rash, is it?

Hotter than hades here, pollen count climbing but the odd thing is that it only happens at dinner prep and after the kids go to bed, gets better.  Don't think it's heat rash and I am not always outside.  Just this weird flukey thing that happens daily lately no matter what bra I wear.  And it may just be that during dinner prep, my kids are sitting quietly and I have a few minutes to myself to itch LOL

The fun of allergies.

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Mfamom on March 15, 2012, 04:01:32 PM

Quote from: Carefulmom on March 15, 2012, 10:29:56 AM

To me it looks like it could be scabies.  (replying to the OP)

Out of curiousity, I googled scabies and looked through tons of pictures.  I cannot fathom how that rash looked anything like scabies. 

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Mfamom on March 15, 2012, 04:06:59 PM

and mookie, I am glad your doctor seems to be on the right track with the source of the hives and that you're feeling better soon. 

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Carefulmom on March 15, 2012, 10:31:47 PM

Quote from: Mfamom on March 15, 2012, 04:01:32 PM

Quote from: Carefulmom on March 15, 2012, 10:29:56 AM

To me it looks like it could be scabies.  (replying to the OP)

Out of curiousity, I googled scabies and looked through tons of pictures.  I cannot fathom how that rash looked anything like scabies.

Scabies looks different in each person.  I have seen scabies that looked just like the OP`s photo.  I have also seen scabies that looked nothing like the OP`s photo.  Scabies is notorious for causing itching that is so bad it just drives you crazy.  Viral rashes can itch, but not with that much intensity.  That is the part of the OP that really sounds like scabies.  A long time ago my boyfriend who lived in a different state described this horrible itching rash on the phone.  Scabies is notorious for this intense itching.  The benadryl wears off and the itching starts up again.   I told him on the phone it sounded like scabies.  He went to the doc, doc said no.  Continued him on antihistamine and steroid cream for a week where he could not work because he was on such a high dose of antihistamine that he was too sleepy to safely drive.  Finally he convinced the doctor to give him the rx for scabies and the rash went away a few days later.  Scabies is a contact dermatitis, sort of the way poison ivy is.  Meanwhile, I decided since I had been exposed I should be treated.  It takes four to six weeks after exposure to break out, so doing the math I had been exposed.  I went ahead and did the treatment, the laudry, etc, just to kill anything that might be there.  I had had this very small area of bumps at the base of one finger for about six months.  It itched alot, but never spread.  I never worried much about it, just kept applying steriod cream.  I treated myself for scabies, and low and behold the rash went away.  My scabies was just a few little extremely itchy bumps.  My boyfriend had caught it from me.

Anyhow, it might be scabies, it might not be.  The fever would then be due to a separate virus.  It is  good to know that it is getting better.  If it doesn`t go away when the fever and swollen glands do, I`d consider asking for a scabies rx.  I`d also think about any other contact dermatitis---poison ivy?  poison oak?

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Mookie86 on March 16, 2012, 08:15:33 AM

Thanks for that info., carefulmom!

FWIW, I've had a head-to-toe rash and hives only one other time, and that's when I discovered I am penicillin allergic.  That one also itched like crazy for five days.  I would wake up 3.5 hours after taking 50 mg of Benadryl, itching like crazy and trying not to scratch so much that I scarred myself.

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Mookie86 on March 24, 2012, 07:15:09 AM

I've made it long enough without any rash or hives, so I'm comfortable saying that it is completely gone!  It took about 10-12 days for it to leave my system completely.  After about a week, there were dramatic improvements both in terms of severity and frequency.  In other words, it was longer and longer between the rash and hives reappearing, it was more minor when it reappeared, and it took less Benadryl to resolve it.  The big shift occurred after it being bad for about a week.

 :happydance:

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: CMdeux on March 24, 2012, 09:58:52 AM

Wow-- that really says "viral," don't you think?

But you said that it did respond to antihistamine, yes?  Sometimes viral hives can be really tough that way and only respond to really high doses of benadryl.

Title: Re: What caused this reaction?
Post by: Mookie86 on March 24, 2012, 10:42:01 AM

Quote from: CMdeux on March 24, 2012, 09:58:52 AM

Wow-- that really says "viral," don't you think?

But you said that it did respond to antihistamine, yes?  Sometimes viral hives can be really tough that way and only respond to really high doses of benadryl.

Yes!  It seems the doctor's diagnosis of viral hives was correct. 

I had to take 50 mg of Benadryl every four hours for the first 5 days.  After that, I was able to go a little longer between doses, but still needed 50 mg.  Eventually it dropped down more and more, and of course finally I was able to discontinue all Benadryl and not have anything reappear.

 It took awhile for me to be confident it was fully gone, for it had gotten to the point that I could go about 20 hours or so, have it reappear, and then it'd resolve with 1 Benadryl and not come back for another day and a half.

I am glad I was able to avoid taking any steroids to stop it.  I know some would have resorted to prednisone instead of taking all that Benadryl, but I preferred to sleep for a few days lol.