Is this an allergy ?

[melbidd]

Lately I've been experiencing something that feels/looks like an allergic reaction. Since about last year, after almost everything I eat, I feel nauseated. Then recently i had a drink of alcohol, and immediately my mouth (lips and tongue) were swollen, along with difficulty breathing.  It also happend when I went to the dentist for a filling. Immediately after she injected me, my lips and tongue started swelling up, and I again had trouble breathing. I also couldn't swallow.  And the other day, my friend dropped her glass of alcohol (I think it was a rev) and I accidently put my hand in it (I think I may have put my hand near my mouth afterwards), then about 15 minutes later I started feeling weird (nauseated, dizzy, started having weird rashes all over, my tongue and lips were starting to swell, ...).
The foods that mostly makes me feel nauseated are, shrimps, lobster, some fruits, every kind of juice, bread, and a lot more.
Also, I had severe eczema when I was young, then it dissapeared for awhile, but came back a few months ago when my mother changed the laundry detergent.  I also noticed that shampoos, soaps, etc., gives me rashes all over my body (where it touched).

Could this be an allergy to sulfates/sulfites (not sure which one)?
And should I be carrying an epi-pen?

[melbidd]

Hi,
I just wanted to let you guys know that I went to my GP last week.  She said I probably have multiple food and enviromental allergies, especially to shellfish.  She made me an appointment for allergy testing, I'll post back when I go.

[melbidd]

...

[melbidd]

Thank you for the reply,
my mom made me an appointment to go see an allergist.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Also, my eczema is back, and is getting worse.  Whenever something touches my skin, it burns and I get even bigger rashes.  I officially have rashes everywhere on my body (not fun !!).  I'm curently using my prescription my doctor gave me, but it doesn't work, juste keeps getting worse.  And I got hives everywhere on my body last week after drinking a danone (drinkable yogurt), which contains fish oil (my mom thinks I'm allergic to fish (especially shrimps and lobster), which would maybe explain the hives.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Allergic rhinitis or hay fever which I have already stated can cause chronic cough as well as other symptoms. Allergic rhinitis is a collection of symptoms, predominantly in the nose and eyes, caused by airborne particles of dust, dander, or plant pollens in people who are allergic to these substances.

Pls get yourself tested for different allergens from an allergist and get skin tests like skin ***** test done. In this a small amount of allergen is introduced into the skin of the forearm and the reaction of the skin is noted. If there is any redness then that person is allergic to the allergen introduced.You can also get blood tests like RAST done.

Then prevention of the allergens is the best treatment.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.

[melbidd]

Thank you,
I've already been tested, and had several different kind of prescription but nothing helped.  I've also been tested for asthma and had multiple test for my lungs and heart, everything came back normal.  Every prescription that I'va had, didn't help at all.  Then a co-worker told me that before he had his allergy test, he would cold a lot like me and always be sick, turns out he's allergic to a lot of stuff, that's when I started thinking it could be allergies to dust or something like that.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Some common causes of chronic cough include asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus problems (for example sinus infection),post nasal drip and esophageal reflux of stomach contents(GERD).I would suggest that you should get evaluated for GERD also since it can cause both chronic cough and heart burns and nausea.

Also,since your parents are allergic to these substances,so your chances of getting these allergies is more.For the epipen,you have to consult an allergist as a prescription may be needed.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[melbidd]

Thank you so much, this helped a lot.  I will ask my mom to make me an appointment for an allergy test.  And where can I get an epipen?

I also forgot to mention a few things about my past medical history.
I have been experiencing bouts of shortness of breath, tightning of the chest and dizziness since about grade 7 or 8 (I'm in grade 11 now), I've been tested for asthma which I don't have.  I have been prescribed several different kind of inhaler (including the two I have now : advair and pulmicort) which doesn't help at all.  Also, I have a bad cough since last summer that doesn't go away (keeps coming and going).

And if both my parents have allergies, does it mean I have more chances of having allergies ? (dad : ana. to eggs, seafood (shrimps, lobster ...) and diff. kinds of medications, a lot of different kind of food, cats, dogs, outdoors ; asthma ; eczema) (mom : I think only penicillin)

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

First of all,yes you should carry an epipen.The swelling of the tongue and lips that you had is due to angioedema.Angioedema can be life threatening when it involves the larynx and respiratory muscles.Regarding the allergic reaction to alcohol,it is usually not the alcohol that produces the allergic reaction to the wine or beer. The other ingredients in the alcohol, such as yeast, sulfur dioxide, and additives are often the culprits. Beer may contain a variety of ingredients, including barley, corn, wheat, and rye that may precipitate an allergic reaction.

Since the allergens have not been identified in your case,so I would advise you to get allergy testing done.For this,skin tests and blood tests can be done.For identifying the food allergens, oral food challenge test and elimination diet are the best.Pls consult an allergist for that.Hope it helps. Take care and pls do keep us posted in case you have any additional queries.Kind regards.