I'm covered from head to toe in itchy freaking hives!

[rbnyc]

I'm having some kind of extremely fucked up allergic reaction to something--wish I knew what-- and I have damned fucking itchy hives all over my body. The biggest ones are as big as my fist. This has been going on since last night. Last night my eyes swelled shut for about 4 hours. Tonight my lips are so swollen that they're starting to crack. Earlier we considered going to the emergency room because it started to go into my throat and I was wheezing. But I've spent enough damn time in the hospital and I wanted to wait a bit to see if it would clear up, and it did-- -just my throat and my breathing cleared up. The rest of me, including under my damned cast, is still 100% covered with itchy, itchy, itchy hives. Why? What the fuck did I ever do? Haven't I had e-fucking-nough? I'm sick of suffering. Why do I have to go through this? When is it going to stop?

[Occulus]

1. Think these things:

1. Chemicals. Are you using new detergent or bleach, or maybe a new shampoo or soap?

2. Diet. Did you eat something new a few hours prior to the hives?

3. Behavior/environment. Have you been in any new places immediately before your hives? Pets? What about a new plant?

Since hives are (generally) an allergic reation, you *can* trace this down. It'll just take patience and time. Was anyone else around you the day you got them, before they appeared? Maybe it was their perfume or cologne.

Hope this helps.

[rbnyc]

4. 2 possible things...

...I used a new lotion. I only used it on my arms, and I read the ingredients, I don't think there's anything in it I haven't used before.

The other thing is that the downstairs neighbors had an old carpet drying in the hallway. It was very smelly, and I may have touched it while hopping up and down the stairs. My husband asked them to remove it tonight and has been cleaning everything, but aside from the fact that I can breathe--which is great--I'm not getting any better.

The only other thing that's changed is that I went off my pain medication (for my broken bones) but I did that about 10 days ago.

Thanks for listening tho. I can't sleep anf I'm starting to lose it.

[donco6]

11. Hives can spread from initial reaction

So the lotion is a good bet.

Try some Benadryl tabs - they work great and are good to have around in case of anaphylactic shock - which, BTW, if you EVER feel your throat closing up, get to the emergency room IMMEDIATELY. This is a potentially life-threatening condition.

(from someone deathly allergic to penicillin . . . )

[rbnyc]

13. the benadryl didn't work...

...which was sad. I really thought it would. I should go to the freakin' hospital I know but I just don't want to.

WAH!!!

[Maddy McCall]

15. I can understand why you don't want to...

god knows you've seen enough of the hospital in the past few months, but you really don't want to take a chance with an allergic reaction.

Just go ahead and go and think about how much better you will feel after you are treated. Please go.

[Maddy McCall]

17. The rug is probably the culprit...

I read an article several years ago about keeping children away from homes where rugs are being cleaned because of the particles that go airborne during cleaning. They can cause horrible (deadly even) respiratory inflamation. If they can inflame the airways, then surely skin inflamation is possible.

I think it is called Suzuki Disease or Yamaha disease--can't remember which one, but remember it was a motorbike brand. (Silly goofy me!)

[rbnyc]

19. I think it's the rug too.

We're trying to air the place out. Cliff said it's been hanging in the hallway for 2 days and that's how long I've been broken out. Also, it was after he made the neighbors get rid of it that my airway started to clear up. I was just hoping it wouldn't take so long for my skin to clear up.

[Cha]

2. You Poor Thing! I wonder what the hell made that happen to

your body? :-(

And you have a cast on, too!

[rbnyc]

5. I shoved the blunt end of a backscratcher...

...down my cast and itched so hard that I tore up all the gauze too, and it's all bunched up in there. I'm about as upset as I can be, and I'm so tired. The cast comes off Tuesday morning. I hope the hives are gone by then.

Thanks for listening to my rant.

:(

[dweller]

3. are you taking any new prescriptions?

my daughter has reactions similar to sulfa drugs. (given in place of antibiotics until we found she was allergic)

you should be checked out, the reaction is not, as you are experiencing something, to fool around with, and can be counter-acted quickly enough.

good luck
dp

[rbnyc]

6. I actually just went off all my drugs...

...about 10 days ago. I'd been taking prescription pain meds. I went through what seemed to be withdrawals for about 2 days and then I was fine. I took a benadryl today and it did nothing. I don't want to go to the hospital so I'll try to hold out until Monday and see my doctor, if I can get an appointment. But I hope it's gone by then.

[dweller]

8. maybe you could just call

your doc and inform that you are in your dilemma, they might could send something over to help?

i use ice for everything, so that's my suggestion, don't know if it can help you though...wishing you itch relief!

peace,
dp

[rbnyc]

10. My insurance provides a 1 800 # for med advice...

...from a nurse. The nurse told me to go to the emergency room. My doctor's office just has a recording on the weekends that tells you to call 911 if it's an emergency.

I probably should have just gone to the hospital earlier. But I decided I didn't want to go, and now my husband is sleeping. I'll wait and see how I feel in the morning, but unless I can't breathe, I'm not going to wake him up.

I'm just going to SUFFER!

Thanks for making it a little easier.

[cam75219]

7. Usually.......

Benedryl does the trick for me, and it will make you sleepy..........

[rbnyc]

9. no dice...

...it didn't help at all, sadly. This is a nightmare. But thanks anyway.

[Maddy McCall]

12. Rene, you need to go to the hospital...

Get thee to the ER asap. If you have had trouble breathing, you shouldn't take the chance of waiting until morning. You have proven you are a fighter with all you've been through that I am sure your hubby doesn't want to lose you to an allergic reaction at this stage in the game.

Get on to the ER and let us know how you are doing when you get back. Go. Go. Don't look back and GO!

Please.

:loveya:

[rbnyc]

14. If I feel it going into my throat again...

...I will call 911 and then wake up my husband. I promise. But I soooo don't want to go to the hospital. I know you are right, but I just am not ready for that tonight. I feel terrible about waiting til after 1 am when Cliff was willing to take me earlier. I just want to try to hold out.

I know. It's a ridiculous situation. But I really am breathing fine now. I'm just, well, covered with itchy hives.

[Maddy McCall]

16. Do you have any caladryl or any ruli gel?

Or any benadryl spray or ointment? Do you have anything topical that you can put on it? Cold ice packs might help.

[rbnyc]

18. I'm going to try ice...thanks.

The benadryl ointment hasn't really done anything, and I've already used more of it than I'm supposed to.

And thanks again for listening. I was just going crazy trying to fall asleep.

[rbnyc]

20. now I have cold itchy hives.

cry cry

[grasswire]

21. baking soda paste?

Might that help? It helps bee stings.

The advice about the ER is sound. Hives on your face and lips particularly sound risky. What if you fall asleep and your throat starts to close off? You're taking a huge chance with your very life.

Another antihistamine you might want to keep around is chlortrimeton. We use that for my daughter's hives.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

22. Hey cut the crap..go to the ER

Having breathing difficulties and hives could be serious and could be dangerous. I know you are sick of hospitals but you should, at a minimum, CALL AN EMERGENCY ROOM and follow their advice.

If you are still up please respond....so I know you read this.

[Maddy McCall]

23. I agree...go to the ER. n/t

[rbnyc]

24. Hi, I'm up.

It looks like it's clearing up a little bit. Honestly. I know you're right. But I just don't want to go. I just want to suddenly be well, and never have to go to the hospital again.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

25. CALL!!! AT A MINIMUM CALL AND DO WHAT THEY ADVISE!!

Don't make me call you! :grr:

oh yeah and :loveya:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

26. In fact...call them then AIM ME!

[rbnyc]

31. Sorry--I just saw this now.

I turned off the computer and went back to reading the 3rd Harry Potter book. I really, really do know that you were right, but looks like I made it through. Check out my update below.

Thanks so much for helping me through the night.

[FloridaJudy]

27. Take the great advice others have given here

1) Take about 50 mg of Benadryl

2) If that doesn't work within a half hour, go directly to the Emergency Room, do not pass go... Likewise, if any allergic reaction consists of more than itching, such as shortness of breath or giant hives do NOT wait for the Benadryl to work. Just call an ambulance.

3) If the E.R. doc decides that your allergic reaction isn't life-threatening - merely miserable - don't mess around with wimpy ointments. Go right to the strongest topical cortisone cream you can buy over the counter. While waiting for that to work, sooth your skin with oatmeal baths.

4) Above all: do *not* (repeat DO NOT) take any allergic reaction lightly. That shit can kill you. Consider asking your health care provider for an epi-pen. It just might save your life.

[rbnyc]

39. What's an epi-pen?

Your post is right on. I was very foolish not to go to the hospital.

Well, I'm getting out of here now while the place airs out. See you all later.

[Cheswick2.0]

28. Rene, for goodness sake are you okay?

I know how you feel about going to the hospital. I have been there, and I can tell you from experience, ignoring being sick doesn't make you well. This is nothing to screw around with. Just because your throat is clearing up doesn't mean it won't come back. You don't even know for sure what is causing this and these alergic reactions are progressive.

Please, someone, tell me she went to the hospital.

[rbnyc]

32. I'm much better now...

...and I'm going to an allergist next week to try to find out what I'm allergic to.

If anyone else had symptoms like mine, I would have told them to go to the hospital too. That was really the smartest, and the right thing to do. I'm really lucky that my throat and tongue didn't swell up more, and I'm really thankful, because the hospital is just the very last place I want to go.

Thanks so much for caring about me.

:loveya:

[flama]

29. Jeez, kid!

This is no way to get your mother to spend more time in the Lounge!

Seriously, if you haven't been to the hospital yet and still aren't any better, get thee to the ER!

As usual, this is a do as I say and not as I do thing. (Typical Ma!) I've had a horrible allergic reaction three times to some invisible evil thing. The hives were huge and felt like hot rocks under my skin. Luckily, Benedryl helped when my throat started closing up. Ends up it's something in some water filtration systems (maybe colonies of microbes) so I don't drink water in public places very often any more. (And I'll never learn to drink my Scotch neat.) Figured it out all by myself with no help from the medical profession. But that's me and I'm quite bizarre. (And will probably die of a ruptured appendix.)

I'm calling you as soon as this posts - even if I wake you both up!

Ma

:loveya:

[rbnyc]

35. Did you call?

I didn't hear it ring?

See, I'm just like you...throat closing up? No reason to go to the hospital. Now I have an excuse. I'm my mother's daughter.

JK.

I am much better now, and I'm getting out of this environment for the day.

:loveya:

[flama]

44. No excuse!

Just because I do stupid things - or don't do smart things - doesn't mean you have to follow in my footsteps. (Do we still wear the same size shoe?)

Yes, I called - twice. Glad you finally called me back.

Now finish dinner, dammit, and get on the computer to let everyone know how you really are!

(Did that sound at all like a Ma?) :spank:

:loveya:

[rbnyc]

30. UPDATE (and thanks!!)

I know this makes me an idiot, but around 5am my tongue swelled up and I still didn't go to the hospital. Just the tip was swollen. I could breathe fine. I finally fell asleep around 9am, and slept for a couple of hours. THANK GOD most of the hives are gone now, and my tongue is back to normal. My husband has been cleaning, dusting, and vacuuming the whole apartment, including the stairway up to our apartment and everyplace that old rug may have touched. We'll spend the day at his parents' house today and air the place out. I hope that will be the end of that.

I will add an appointment with an allergist to my long list of upcoming doctors appointments. I have to get my cast taken off, follow up with my OBGYN, and I neglected to tell you all before, but when I had a CAT scan after the car accident, they saw something on my colon and I need to schedule a colonoscopy, woo-hoo! (It was probably just a shadow.)

Anyway, sorry I refused to go to the hospital. I know that was really the smartest thing to do, and I'm just lucky the back of my tongue didn't swell up and block my airway. But thanks for talking to me and helping me through a terrible night.

:loveya:

[curse10]

33. This happened to me in July!

Then it suddenly just stopped. The doctors still don't know what the heck it was.

Definately go to your doctor though-- it could be something other than an allergic reaction- like measles.

[rbnyc]

36. I will see my doctor...

...and an allergy specialist, but I do think the worst is over now. Pretty weird!

[LynneSin]

34. Honey - go to the hospital

Before I call them and have them come to you.

Seriously, if it's in your throat this isn't good

:hug:

[rbnyc]

37. It's clearing up.

Check out the update above. I'm going to see an allergist and find out all the things I'm allergic to so I can try to avoid them. I never want to go through this again.

Thanks for caring, sweetheart. You're a great friend.

:loveya:

[LynneSin]

38. a great friend who was about to call 911 since she's too lazy

to read the entire thread

[rbnyc]

40. I'll be off for a bit...

...I'm going to Long Island where there's clean air. See you later.

Much Love,

Rene

[Bossy Monkey]

41. This is a good site for checking your medications' side effects

http://www.rxlist.com/
It's basically the Physician's Desk Reference searchable online. Very handy.

[Rhiannon12866]

46. I agree with this also

You can call your pharmacist, the hospital ER or your doctor, but I would do it ASAP. This is definitely something you want to solve ASAP and this is a case for following the instructions on your prescriptions and contacting your doctor or pharmacist. Please do it. I would call for you if I were there. If you don't feel up to it, ask your husband to do it. Please...

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

42. Glad it turned out but next time I will call you in the middle of the

night.

I know you didn't want to go but I am actually ANGRY at you for posting what often end up being life threatening symptoms which sound very much like an anaphylactic response to something either IN your environment or that you ingested.

You survived this time...but this is a condition that may NOT be so fortunate the next time.

I didn't know whether to let go of it and run the risk that your mother posted you had died in the morning or to call you in the middle og the night and then wake you up if you were actually OK.

In the long run, I decided you were an adult but one that was NOT very supportable in matters where your life or the loss of it might be at stake.

I didn't post everything last night as I did not want to be an alarmist but a very close friend of mine died of fatal asthma induced by an allergic reaction.

I still love you..but I am angry at you. Last night you did NOT DO the right thing.

[cmd]

43. Rene it's very important you find the cause

Another exposure could be fatal. You have experienced some extreme allergic reaction symptoms that will probably increase with the next exposure. You have to be ready to take action.

I took penicillan for years before one little pill caused an allergic reaction similar to yours. It took weeks before all the hives went away because the medication stayed in my body that long. You have to find the reason for this reaction. If I sound like this is a cause for alarm, good. It is. Get medical help. We love you.

[Don_G]

45. Hmmmmmm

Smelly old carpet drying in the hallway?

Anyone think of mold and/or mildew?

On Edit: Added link http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MOLDY_SCHOOLS?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT