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Allergies and intolerances

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What am I allergic to??

7 replies

LucyDeSpiderman · 11/07/2012 10:11

Ok, so I've had a rash on and off since Saturday. Spoke to a gp friend and she said it looks like an allergic reaction to something. It mainly flares up when I'm outside, and it's usually just the parts of my skin that are open to the air.
When it first appeared on Saturday it started while I was outside, on my legs, then spread onto my arms and lower stomach. I didn't think much of it because I've had the same thing once before, the rash appeared all over my body a few months ago on an evening but had gone by the morning. Anyway, it faded on Saturday after a shower. Sunday morning it was back, and it has been disappearing and reappearing since then.
Like I say, it usually starts on parts of my body that aren't covered but then generally spreads up my arms and legs. My hands get really tight and hot. Yesterday it was on my face for the first time.
This morning I was completely rash free but I've just sat in front of an open window and now my legs from mid calf to mid thigh and my hands and forearms are covered in the rash again (all not covered, have calf length slippers on and a thigh length dressing gown) Ive taken 2 piriteze tablets over the past 2 days and so far nothing has changed. Any idea at all what this might be? I'm puzzled.

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mistlethrush · 11/07/2012 13:32

My nettle rash for allergies develops like this - starting on skin exposed to sunlight and then spreading. The first time I got it it took a while for it to calm down even after significant antihystamines and steroids - but then its a fairly drastic allergy and I end up in A&E with it. Mine turned out to be a new one to paracetamol. However, lots of allergies could show up in exactly the same way - so you need to think about what you're eating, medicines included. Is there anything that you ate on Saturday that you've not eaten for a while that could have triggered it? if its continuing, is there anything that you've eaten each day? etc etc

LucyDeSpiderman · 11/07/2012 15:12

Nothing that I've eaten, no. I've really racked my brain and there's nothing at all that I've eaten every day. Taken no medication apart from 2 paracetamol yesterday, but I had the rash before then. It popped up this morning before I'd eaten anything. I have had a sore throat since Saturday too, could be linked? I'm rash free at the moment but I'm about to go out so imagine that will change soon. How did you find out it was paracetamol for you?

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mistlethrush · 11/07/2012 15:15

I ended up getting properly tested at the allergy clinic - because its really rare apparently. But the second time I had the rash it was fairly obvious as I had two paracetamol and started itching less than 10 mins afterwards.

If its died down sounds as though it was something from before the rash came up and might have continued to react for a while - but it could even have been a virus giving you some strange symptoms?

LucyDeSpiderman · 11/07/2012 15:52

Im out now, have been for about 5 minutes and its flaring up. Looks just like a nettle rash, its on my thighs already and my hands are tingling which is what's happened before I've got it the other times. Very itchy and angry looking, its bizarre I really don't know what it could be. Side of my face and ear starting to itch now too.

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mistlethrush · 11/07/2012 15:56

I think that you should go to your Dr and ask about it as it seems so photosensitive.

LucyDeSpiderman · 11/07/2012 16:00

Yeah I think you're right. Thanks for the advice

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CasaBevron · 11/07/2012 17:19

Hi, I may be completely off the mark here, but your post reminded me of this thread. Have a look at mumat39's post about half way down...

Definitely worth a visit to the doctor, hope you get to the bottom of it.

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