Allergic Reaction

[DCB0908]

For approximately 9 wks now I have been having an allergic reaction to something.  I get welts all over my body which are extremelty itchy.  My face, lips, eyes and tongue swells to where you can't recognize me.  I occasionally have severe joint pain.  I have been to the doctors and an "allergist".  I have had alot of test which basically came back negative (R. Arthritis, Thyroid, Valley fever, Airborn allergies, Food Panel, etc)  They said I have low allergies to trees and such and have a low allergy to eggs.  They can't seem to find the problem.  I am going crazy.  I have been on the web just searching for the answer.  Can it be the water, metals I don't know.  I don't have alot of money and my ins is not the best.  I have been on Zytec and Benadryl what seems like forever.  They help control the problem but does not cure it.  Can anyone help me?

[Ireland60]

I started tramadol a while ago for arthritis pain. Off and on since I have been having a allergic reaction to something. I thought it was my laundry detergent so I switched to All Free and Clear. Then I kept itching from head to toe and thought it was my bar soap so now I use all Aveno products. Still itch really bad so my Dr.told me to take Benadryl and use Hydrocortisone cream. It helped for about a month. Three days ago I started itching again and my feet and hands swelled and itched terrible so I started with Allegra Allergy.Bad joint pain yesterday and today. Before I took a nap, I took a tramadol. Woke up 2 hours later feeling like my body was being poked by pins,it was hot and terribly itchy on my back, leg and head and I was wheezing. Used my inhaler took Benadryl and Allegra and used the hydrocortisone 1% cream all over. Bingo, I must be allergic to the tramadol. I am stopping it today!!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

What you are describing may be hives. Hives (medically known as urticaria) are red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes. They have a tendency to change size rapidly and to move around, disappearing in one place and reappearing in other places, often in a matter of hours.

Many cases of hives are "idiopathic," meaning no cause is known. Others may be triggered by viral infections or medications.

The mainstay of treatment of hives is antihistamine which may be necessary for prolonged periods (in excess of 6 weeks).Take Over the counter antihistaminics like benadryl or Claritin.Sometimes double conventional doses of non-sedating antihistamines such as Cetirizine(zyrcet), Loratadine(Claritin) and Fexofenadine may be needed to get symptom relief. Sedating antihistamines such as Chlorphenamine(benadryl) or Hydroxyzine are used at night to get urticaria control. Short courses of oral cortisone or steroids are taken for short periods (one to three days) to settle more severe symptoms.
You may take Vitamin C along with the prescribed treatment. Vitamin C is a general anti-allergy supplement. It helps stabilize mast cells so they are less likely to release histamine.Also apply 1% corticosteroid(dermacort) cream on the itchy areas.

Persistent hives may need allergy shots.

Hope it helps.Take care and regards.