Anybody know anything about allergies?

Question

I've just had a most unpleasant experience. I suddenly got intense itching and incredible heat in the soles of my feet and palms of my hands, quickly followed by the same all over my body. The itching so intense that I used a hairbrush to scratch with, even on the soles of my feet. I had small, hard bumps all over my hands and arms. My hands and feet swelled up so much I had to take off my watch and rings and I could not get my shoes on. My hands looked like a bunch of bananas! I managed to get to doctor who gave me anti-histimine tablets and I was soon better though I am still a bit itchy and awfully tired, but that could be the tablets. I went a bit wheezy as well. I was worried about anaphalaxis. I've been eating loads of strawberries for the last few weeks. Can the reaction build up if not immediately apparent? I've eaten strawberries all my life with no ill effects. If I hadn't been able to drive to the doctor I would have called an ambulance, it was that severe.

I should add that I am also asthmatic and there is a history of diabetes (types 1 and 2) in the family. I have glaucoma also. Thanks so far for all the answers. You are most kind. I have checked out hyperinsulinemia. Most interesting as I also get hypoglycaemic attacks occasionally. I also take quinine tablets for cramp. It would seem there are factors which link these things together.

Answer 1

It definitely sounds like an allergic reaction. Obviously if your doc gave you an antihistamine, he/she felt the same way. An allergy can develop at any time, and you don't ever really know how severe it will be. Some allergies also tend to have reactions that worsen over time. So it is entirely possible that you developed a new allergy. Strawberries would be a good thing to suspect if you have been eating lots of them lately and that is unsual for you. Strawberries (and tomatoes) also make their own histamine, which makes them more allergenic than other fruits and veggies. I'd say whatever triggered this probably was something that you had eaten in the eight hours before the reaction started, probably immediately before it started. (Although some reactions are delayed, and some can be triggered by eating certain foods then exercising, etc.)

I have a child with many many food allergies including a life threatening peanut allergy. My son ate peanut all the time (in hindsight a bad idea for a child with so many other allergies, but live and learn). One day I gave my son a PB&J sandwich (for about the millionth time). He ate two bites before going into anaphylaxis and needing a shot of epinephrine (EpiPenJr.) and Benadryl and an ambulance ride to the hospital where he also received steroids. He continued to react to that one exposure to peanut for the next eight days. He had received the shot of epi, a shot of steroids, and he received Benadryl every six hours and Zantac (also a histamine blocker) every twelve hours for the next eight days. HIs allergist said that he could react to that exposure for up to a month, since it takes that long for food proteins to completely clear your system.

As far as anaphylaxis goes, anaphylaxis is technically an allergic reaction that involves two or more body systems. Since you had your skin involved with the swelling and hives (I'm sure that's what the bumps were) and since you were wheezing, this was technically anaphylaxis. You should have been prescribed an EpiPen. And steroids probably would have been a good idea too. Be care to avoid strawberries completely. Any foods, drinks, candies, etc. that have strawberry have to be avoided. (If you are fairly certain that it was strawberry.) Read all labels and beware of the terms "natural flavors" or "natural colors". These could include strawberry. Under current labeling laws companies only have to disclose the top eight food allergens in their ingredient lists. (peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, milk, egg, soy).

I would highly recommend allergy testing. It is somewhat pricey, but most insurance companies do cover it (contrary to what someone else said). My kids have had allergy testing four times for each child and insurance (two different companies) have covered it every time. Testing would give you some idea where you stand and if there are other allergies that you are not aware of yet. (Some allergies can cause vague symptoms that you may not immediately recognize as a food allergy.)

Be aware also, that anaphylaxis can start up again later. You should be out of the woods since it usually happens within four hours of the first reaction, but it could be good info to have for the future. Also, having astham does put you at a higher risk of having anaphylactic reactions. I would call your doctor and insist that you be given a script for an EpiPen. It saved my child's life, it could do the same for you. It is not dangerous to receive epinephrine is you don't need it (if you don't have a weak heart.) I have reaceived epi during a severe reaction and it did make me shaky, but that's all, no ill effects. ( And I have a history of high blood pressure and a rapid heart rate. And I'm only 28 yrs old. Blah!)

I hope you get to feeling better quickly. It is probably a combo of the antihistamine and the reaction making you tired. Take it easy and make sure to call an ambulance if you have another severe reaction, things can go downhill very quickly.

Also, there is no cure for food allergies. Trust me, if there was I would do it in a heartbeat. My children and I have dealt with severe allergies for years. The only thing you can do is completely avoid the allergen and treat the symptoms as need. Good luck!

Answer 2

You can become allergic to new things, and if you ate a large quantity of strawberries that could do it. Also some people can have a similar severe reaction to pollen, as in hay-fever which is most commonly characterised by itchy nose and eyes etc, but can cause a person to come out in hives which sounds like what happened to you.

Have you had any kiwi fruits? They are something that more people are allergic to than you might think.

Detergents my friend once became incredibly allergic to all detergents practically over night.

On a different track, it has been very hot lately. There is a chance you got heat rash and hyperventilated a bit.

Or it could have been a hairy Caterpillar, those things also give people the same reaction as to what you have explained. Had you been outside much?

There are so many things it could have been, but doubt a bit that it was food related as you haven't said any thing about an itchy throat or swollen lips and tongue.

Try eating honey from your local area to make sure its not hay-fever, and ask you doctor for an allergy test. If you can't get one that way you could see if there are any naturopaths in your area. I used to work in a health food shop and a lady used to come in with a machine and test people for allergies. It cost about £20 I think.

The reason you were so tired is that you body is in a state of shock, when something like that happens, and your body is working overtime trying to sort you out. The swelling and the bumps are actually your body defending you from the allergy.

Answer 3

Yes you can have an allergic reaction to something you have eaten before, in fact, prior exposure is needed to have the reaction. You can become allergic at any time in your life. As for feeling tired, that's natural with the antihistamine. Keep taking Benadryl (cheaper diphenhydramine from the 1$ store is the same) to help the itching and invest in an epi-pen to have with you at all times.

Last but not least, I'd smack you in the head if I were close enough! NEVER, EVER drive yourself to the hospital again if you are having an allergic reaction, especially if you are wheezing, call 911 (999). You would be suprised how many people don't make it . Once your airway is swollen shut your chances of making it go into the toilet. The faster someone gets IV access and control of your airway the better off you will be. Now go to your room! :)

Answer 4

There is some mention of allergies in the diet books that approach diet by way of reducing insulin production, as insulin production has an effect on the production of a lot of other chemicals and hormones, including histamines and anti-histamines.

I would say in addition to your allergy testing, ask your doctor for a fasting blood insulin test. If it is 10 or more you may have hyperinsulinemia (high insulin production). Lowering your body's need to produce insulin may assist in controlling your allergies.

You may want to check out the library link at www.hufa.org for more info on diets that control blood sugar which is how you control insulin production.

For the itchiness and small hard bumps, that may be a yeast (candida) reaction. There is some basic info on yeast on the website at www.hufa.org too.

Answer 5

It does sound like you have an allergy to strawberries. I have no knowledge of the health system in Scotland and whether you can ask your doctor to arrange for an allergy test. I am aware that it depends on where you live in England as to whether you can have an extensive test done. Alas, allergies are not considered a priority, particularly as the tests can be expensive.

I've noticed a lot of health food stores do free tests on a regular basis, certainly where I live in North London. If you don't get any joy from your doctor, I would suggest ringing health food stores local to you to enquire if they do the same thing. Worth a try.

Answer 6

Overtime people can develop new allergies, or their own allergies become severe or less severe. For instance, I was never allergic to fish until a couple of years ago; I developed a rash and itching from it.
I would stay away from the strawberries for awhile and see if you get any of the symptoms. Also, start writing all the foods you have eaten or anything new.
You can get tested for allergies.

Answer 7

Wow, that was quite an allergic reaction! It might have been the strawberries, or it might have been something else: Allergic reactions don't always show with rhyme or reason. I have a friend who can't eat strawberries without swelling.

Find out what you're allergic to, then avoid that substance like the plague!

Good luck!

Answer 8

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Answer 9

I thnk you need to make an apointment for allergy testing. This is the only way to determine WHAT caused this reaction so you can avoid it in the future, or possibly go on shot treatments so that somethig more severe does not happen in the future

Answer 10

It is entirely possible it was the strawberries and yes you can build up an intolerance especially if you have overloaded on them. The only way to be sure though is allergy testing which isn't cheap and isn't covered by most insurances.