Allergic Itch

Two weeks ago I was prescribed clindamycin for a nasal infection. After taking the medication for 3 1/2 days I woke up with eyes swollen nearly shut.  Doctor advised discontinuing medication.  An irritating all over skin itch followed shortly.  Doctor proscribed Elocon and prednisone 2 per day for 5 days, one per day for 5 days.  The prednisone seemed to help the itch but the itch worsened when prednisone stopped.  My skin looks kind of blotchy and itches like crazy.  I get these little postules where I have scratched.  These might be from the scratching itself.  Am very miserable, and have a call into the doctor who is an allergy, ears, nose and throat man.  I do have moments of relief from the itching but cannot pinpoint what brings the relief.  Can you help me?  I am not usually an allergic type and can think of nothing new introduced into my life style.  Any clues would be appreciated.  Thanks.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Was the clindamycin given orally, as a pill?  If so, then the swelling and itch might be an allergy to clindamycin, but the fact that it's persisted for over 10 days argues otherwise.  It may therefore be that the symptoms are not truly allergic in nature, and that the clindamycin is coincidental and unrelated.  This may seem odd, but really isn't, as nonspecific itches happen all the time.  They hang around a while and go away on their own, though treatment can make the interlude more livable.

The doctor will no doubt want to rule out infection (perhaps as you suggest yourself secondary to scratching.)  Other possible approaches to treatment might involve antihistamines and topical treatments.  Whether allergic or not, your symptoms seem likely to be short-lived and controllable.  The allergist should help.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[SharonC]

I have this problem since while already may be 4 years, I star with like pimples, but then i realize there not what they look like cuz, is just like little red rush, and is itchi too. I was using ZAPZYT for a long time, which contains 10% Benzoil, stops my face from getting oily, but now it wont really help the much I wan't to get rid of red little marks, that is all I want, and I wonder if there I can get surgery and get new skin? also I notice I can't take coffee or Milk or coke nothing else then water other wise I will increese to look ugly, I also have to wear make up to prevent my skin from getting oily, otherwise It gets worse with the sun too...I have an appointment soon with the dermatologist soon, but I need to hear something is there is cure is Rocesea I know...

[realtor620]

A related discussion, allergic reaction was started.