Is this an allergic reaction?

[AjaJade86]

My sister (age 18) awoke today with her fingers and wrists noticably swollen. She said when she went to get up she felt dizzy. She also has a couple bumps on her knee's and around that area. After using benedryl spray they went down. I thought is seemed like an allergic reaction.. possibly a bite. I gave her motrin and put ice on her hands to control the swelling. If her symptoms persist and or get worse i will bring her to the doctor but what was that?

[Rowena Santos, MD]

How are you? How is your sister? Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is the most common type of arthritis that persists for months or years at a time.There are three main forms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), which are classified by how they begin. These forms are pauciarticular (less than four joints affected), polyarticular (four or more joints affected), and systemic-onset (inflamed joints with high fevers and rash). Rheumatoid arthritis is often confused with fibromyalgia because it produces so many of the same symptoms. Fibromyalgia is not associated with inflammation, unlike rheumatoid arthritis. Similar symptoms include:fatigue, muscle pain, morning stiffness and  loss of mobility and range of motion.  Abnormal laboratory tests can usually differentiate this disorder from fibromyalgia. It would be good to see your doctor for proper evaluation and management.

Take care and keep us posted.