Allergy to camping!!

[hetflameuk]

Wierd, but only when I go camping do I get an allergic reaction, it is pretty bad, my bottom lip swells about x4 usual size, and my hands and feet swell about x2?  last year I needed prednisolone to bring it down.  Question..should I avoid camping all together, or would taking a strong antihistimine cover me?

[hetflameuk]

I don't know, but thanks I will look into this, there is always chippings around, maybe it is them!

[ChitChatNine]

Could it be some type of pesticide?

Another thought is Cedar?  Have you been tested for Cedar ... ?  My daughter got hives all over her body and red/itching last year when we unknowingly used Cedar Mulch in the yard!

[hetflameuk]

Thanks, that sounds like good advice, I will start with the garden I think, the Gp has told me i couldn't get tests on the NHS as my symptoms are too broad to track down a suspect, although as it is only when I go camping (apart from once at a beach) it may be trackable.

Advice much appreciated.

[ducky406]

I honestly think you should avoid camping all together until you find out the exact cause. Allergies can get worse so even though right now it's just bad swelling- what would happen if you go out camping and go into shock?

I think the first thing to do is look at your camping material itself. Maybe set up whatever gear you use in your own back yard to see if you have the same reaction. If there is anything specific that you eat or drink only when camping that's another thing to try. For the environment itself I suggest takling to an allergist. A scratch test is pretty unpleasant but it will rule out the most common trees, molds, bugs, and animals that cause problems.