New to allergies - rash

[hrmn13]

I have never had problems with allergies before. Recently (in the last few months) I have been getting hives on my arms, feet and legs. I have also noticed dry skin on my face in patches and a rash on my lips (small little bumps, no larger than the grit on sandpaper that are reduced and go away within 2-3 days using Benadryl).


I notice the hives and bumps mostly when I eat berries. I had a bowl of raspberries on Saturday night and ended up with hives within a few hours, then the next day I had the rash on my lips (which was greatly reduced by topical Benadryl). On Monday night I ate some ice cream with strawberries. I woke up this morning with hives again and a few more bumps on my lips.  I have never had cold sores/fever blisters, though I have had these same tiny bumps on my lips when I changed toothpaste (after I changed back, they went away within a few days).

My question is, is this normal? I am avoiding berries at this point until I see a specialist, but I have never had this problem before and am looking for advice.

[hrmn13]

Yep, that's the same with me.  The last time it was overnight after taking Benadryl (when I had a reaction to a new toothpasate!). This time it was about 2-3 days (I'm guessing because I went ahead and had those strawberries the next day it took longer).  Glad to know that can be normal!  Thanks.

[1nana]

It all depends on what caused the reaction and how severe it was.

Benadryl (taken orally, not topically) usually cleared it up within 24 hours.

[hrmn13]

If you don't mind my asking, about how long does it take for the bumps on the lips to go away for your daughter?  

I had more hives last night, but hadn't eaten berries since Monday night.  I don't know what else it could be.  

[1nana]

My daughter suffers from many allergies, fruits especially. The oral reaction she gets from this are tongue and lip swelling along with the tiny bumps you speak of.

Too bad you have to wait 2 weeks. I hope you can get to the bottom of your problem. Check back and let me know how it goes for you.

[hrmn13]

Thanks for your input.  I have to wait 2 weeks to see an allergy specialist.  The thing that is the weirdest for me is the little tiny bumps on my lips.  I have searched that topic online and the results are scary.  Since they are so small (my husband thinks I'm nuts and says he can barely see them!) and they mostly go away using Benadryl, I thought they  might be related, but you never know!  I will definitely ask about it when I see the doctor.

[1nana]

Yes, it's a normal reaction if you have an allergy to just about anything, which seems to be your case.

It's good that you will be seeing a specialst and very smart of you to completely stay away from berries. Each time the berries are ingested, the allergic reaction can be more severe from the previous time.