Self-tanning products allergy

I occasionally used self-tanning facial products of 2 well-known and very good brands and in the afternoon my face could feel warm and be reddish like a sunburn. I then started in December with a slimming cream sold mixed with a self-tanning product. I used it regularly during weekdays for some 3 weeks. On Christmas eve I got hives, diarrhea, vomitting, since then 3 more times and the last time it ended in an anaphylactic shock with unconsciousness and an ambulance trip to hospital. Until now all food tests are negative so we search for the trigger. I stopped using the self-tanning products and am now on anti-histaminica, other strong medication and go nowhere without my Epi-Pen. Could this be a reaction of these self-tanning products with an indirect effect on the mast cells?
Keen to know if anyone else experienced something like that.
Marieke

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

In most cases of allergic reactions, it is difficult to establish the cause or identify the trigger.

Have you had similar symptoms in the past? Are you allergic to any specific substances?

The effect of any cream used would not usually last this long and will not cause a flare up of symptoms without a re-exposure.

So you have to find the cause amongst substances that are present at the time of a flare up.

Continue  with your medications till then and let us know if you have any other doubts.

Do follow up with your allergy specialist regularly.

Regards.

[Marieke]

Thanks for the post. Until now I had a test done in the UK to check if I was sensitive to 93 foodstuffs. It looks at changes in types of white blood cells (lymphocytes and granulocytes) to specific foods and reflect food INTOLERANCE not allergy. Only bayleaf and cucumber came out red and oat and millet yellow, while I had nothing in the amber list. In Belgium blood was taken too, since I became unconscious there and was transported to a hospital there. In the subsequent week tests  were done in blood, also focussing on food but all were negative, also black pepper, which I first had suspected. Next Friday I will have the results of the longer lasting tests. My current medication is Ranitidine, Exacyl (Transexaminic acid) and Cetirizine and I have my Epi-Pen always with me.  Besides a reaction against grey North Sea shrimps since the age of 16 and melon since about 30 and never had this before in my 60 years of life. Only some eczema behind the ears (due to metallic sunglasses) and on arm, breast sometimes without any reason. When putting anti fouling on the boat or when painting I may show a red face like sunburn, but nothing like these terrible itching hives, swollen lips and face and certainly never until now such a terrible swollen tongue, difficulty to breathe and unconsciousness. I am writing down everything since the last severe reaction and hope to find a clue, which may even be a combination of factors. I had been thinking about the self-tanning products because I tried to think what I introduced recently in my life that could have triggered this and I noticed 2 or 3 posts on such products and skin reactions.
I will search further so I know maybe one day what to avoid.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

You should continue with your medications and follow up with your doctorr regularly.

Why are you on exacyl/ tranexamic acid?

Let us know if you have any other doubts and post us about how you are doing.

Hopefully you would be able to identify a triggering factor for your symptoms soon.

Regards.

[Marieke]

As expected all tests were negative, so no clear trigger for what is called here pseudo-allergy with same consequences as allergy. Exacy/transexaminic acid is believed to delay the output of mast cells. Since symptom free on all my meds since 3 weeks, I am allowed to stop the exacyl and if still symptom free after another 4 weeks, I can stop with the Ranitidine, but must stay on Cetirizine, keep my logbook and Epi-Pen in the hope it will no more happen, or at least have documented the trigger(s). The other possibility is to build up from scratch a diet, but I have no intention to do so and will therefore continue to write down all I eat, use and do.
Tks for the replies!

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It is good to hear that you have been symptom free for the last 3 weeks. I think you should continue with your medications as advised and follow up with your doctor regularly.

Let us know about how you are doing and if you have any doubts.

Glad that the post was of some help.

Regards.

[curious0971]

I experienced the same reaction only without the unconsciousness.  I have pretty much narrowed it down to a self tanner reaction.  Very scary!  Any updates on your condition.