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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be mildly panicking about my swollen face?

49 replies

QueenSconetta · 01/01/2011 21:45

My top lip up to my nose has swollen up and feels really uncomfortable. Can't think what it is, and I've taken an anti-histamine and it hasn't made any difference.

DP is at night shift and DD is asleep upstairs and I'm mildly freaking out I have some kind of tropical disease!

I would be hugely unreasonable to phone my Mum and ask her to come and look at it wouldn't I?

OP posts:
KathyImLost · 01/01/2011 21:47

Is she a doctor? Also, have you eaten any prawns lately? Sounds like an allergic reaction to something...

blinks · 01/01/2011 21:47

have you taken maximum anti-histamine?

how's your breathing and does your tongue feel swollen?

thisisyesterday · 01/01/2011 21:47

you haven't hit it at all?

how far away is your mum?
perhaps give NHS direct a call?

ilovemyhens · 01/01/2011 21:48

Apply some ice to it?

Are you known to be allergic to anything? It can take a while for an antihistamine to work. My ds1 is allergic to nuts and if he touches any nut traces, his eyes swell up, but they're still swollen the next day after he's had his antihistamine.

Original poster
QueenSconetta · 01/01/2011 21:50

No she's not a doctor she's just my MumSmile SHe's only a couple of miles away so I will maybe give her a phone.

I agree its an allergic reaction but I can't think to what, and its pretty localised, definitely haven't hit it.

It feels a bit like when the dentist puts a cotton wool roll under your top lip!

I did have prawns yesterday but have had them before without a problem?

OP posts:
Original poster
QueenSconetta · 01/01/2011 21:51

Also yes, I have taken the maximum AH I think, its a 1 a day one, cetirizine is it?

OP posts:
Original poster
QueenSconetta · 01/01/2011 21:52

No known allergies, its not itchy at all but feels tight and uncomfortable, and sort of hot.

Thanks for all your replies,x.

OP posts:
charliesmommy · 01/01/2011 21:53

how long ago did you take the anti-histamine.. the swelling wont go down immediately anyway, but the anti-h will stop it getting worse..

if your tongue is swollen and you are finding it hard to breathe/swallow, then you need more medical help

KathyImLost · 01/01/2011 21:53

I asked about the prawns as both my mum and MIL had allergic reactions and swollen lips after eating them, despite never being allergic to prawns before. Dunno why, I'm not a doctor either! In both cases it went away by itself but go see your GP if you're worried. And maybe let your mum sleep :)

lagrandissima · 01/01/2011 21:55

Can you call NHS direct, and then ask your mum to babysit if you need to go to A&E?

Original poster
QueenSconetta · 01/01/2011 22:00

Took the AH about 1.5 hours ago. Not having probs breathing or swallowing, so will maybe just monitor it. Am reluctant to phone NHS24 (as it is here) cos all they ever tell you to do is go to the out of hours GP place at the local hospital!

Well defo phone if it gets worse/swallowing issues etc though.

Perhaps just an early night is in order.

Thank you all for looking after me,x.

OP posts:
Katisha · 01/01/2011 22:02

Could it be a bite?

trixymalixy · 01/01/2011 22:02

Take another dose of antihistamine and if it doesn't go down after that you should seek medical help.

Original poster
QueenSconetta · 01/01/2011 22:06

Not sure if I can take another dose of AH Trixy - the one I took is one per 24 hours. It feels huge, but don't think it looks as bad as it feels IYSWIM. Is sore :(

OP posts:
blinks · 01/01/2011 22:07

you can take a non-sedating antihistamine with a sedating one as long as it's for a short period of time so if it's not helping, try getting another brand. also try topical anti-inflammatory eg nurofen gel on the area.

any breathing issues or tongue swelling, call ambulance (serously) or if it gets much worse, get thineself down to A&E.

i work at NHS24 and we wouldn't tell you to see an OOH GP for an allergic response.

thedentist · 01/01/2011 22:09

Sounds like a type of allergic reaction called angioedema.

Don't worry if it's not affecting your airway you do not need urgent medical attention.

Take the antihistamines as you are doing, make apt with GP, and review what make up, lipstick, toothpaste you are using. Anything new? Or new bottle of something (changed formulation)?

HTH

Original poster
QueenSconetta · 01/01/2011 22:24

Blinks, it was generic cetirizine I took, and also have boots' own loratadine in the house, could I take one of them? I have had a large glass of wine with dinner and a G&T before though so not sure if that ok?

Sorry for slagging NHS24 Blush. In fairness they did send an ambulance for DD once when she was 'grunting'. Turned out to be overreaction, but would always rather be safe than sorry, so glad they did.

No tounge swelling but one side of my throat is sore. Have had that before though.

OP posts:
Original poster
QueenSconetta · 01/01/2011 22:28

Its just got me a bit stumped that it only started at about 7.45pm though.

I had a prawn sandwich yesterday lunchtime and did have some really bad itching on my ankles and legs, but took AH and it went away. Also managed to do a big tidy even with DD in tow cos needed something to take my mind off the itching, lol.

Anyway didn't think anything more of it until DP said your face is red and blotchy before he went out to NS (how romantic eh?), then it started to swell.

It hasn't got any worse I don't think though since I started posting so that is good.

Dentist made me think, I have used a new lipgloss today, same kind as previous but different colour, so poss different formulation, but its only my top lip. Its all very confusing!!!

OP posts:
strawberrycake · 01/01/2011 22:30

I had this last week after a chinese, woke up and thought I was still tired as my face feel swollen from sleep. DH woke me from my lie-in to tell me to take something as my lips and eyes were HUGE. No idea what it was, went down over the day after anti-histamine

nickschick · 01/01/2011 22:30

Its possibly prawns I have eaten them all my life then 2 years ago I was cooking some (as i have done before) and pow all my face swelled up and my eyes and my mouth .....the walk in centre thought I was DV victim Sad,apparently its common in raw prawns.

They gave me piriton?

blinks · 01/01/2011 22:32

they're both second generation AH so you can't take them together... benadryl would be ok if you can get yer hands on some?

blinks · 01/01/2011 22:32

piriton fine also

thedentist · 01/01/2011 22:34

ta-da!!

Have seen this a few times before, and it is only the top lip that swells, for some bizarre reason. Unfortunately, make take few days/weeks to settle :(

Original poster
QueenSconetta · 01/01/2011 22:35

The only other thing I have is Chlorphenamine, is that the generic of piriton? Got all these on Minor Ailments when still had Maternity exemption!

OP posts:
blinks · 01/01/2011 22:40

that's fine to take as it's a first generation, ie it's sedating so may make you feel sleepy. boozing not good idea also!

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