My first allergic reaction

[olderthanyouthink]

(If you ignore hayfecer and possibly dust)

Today at lunch someone at work kindly bought cookies for everyone, I took one and started eating. My tongue started feeling weird and I asked some people around me is they knew what an allergic reaction felt like. They didn't seem to think that I was having one but it got worse and more symptoms came up. (Tummy ache, throat swelling, head/sinus hurting and itchy mouth and ears)

I stopped eating it and someone went to buy antihistamines with me. Eventually I felt a bit better, I didn't go home straight away because I live alone and don't want to be alone just then. Sat through a meeting about a project I'm starting work on but my tummy was hurting a lot so I went home after that.

On the way home, my skin started itching and I clawed at it. I had a shower to see if that soothed it, when I got out the shower I saw my face was swelling up as well as my groin, underarms, neck, back, shoulders, scalp etc. Off to a pharmacy, they gave me piriton. My skin felt worse, I almost tore my clothes off to get in the shower again. I lay down in bed and tried not to move and eventually I slept.

I woke up a couple times and saw my skin was looking a little better. Now it's really just my eye area that's a bit itchy and puffy.

I think it was hazel nuts that cause the reaction. I never knew I has any allergies before today, so I've always ignored the may contain nuts thing (except for my mum, as she is allergic to Brazil nuts). I'm sure I've had Nutella in the passed because I know I don't like it.

Is it just hazel nuts I need to avoid? Is the next time likely to be worse?
How long does it normal take for the effect to wear off?

TIA

A lot of breakfast cereals have nut warnings too so check yours if your going nut free. Dd has nut allergy so we are used to it

www.nestle.co.uk/nutritionhealthwellness/specialdietaryneeds
Download nestles nut free list bottom page

Thanks Chloes

I have the big multi pack maryland cookie (I'm greedy)... that just says "may contain nuts". I was relieved to see my slab of galaxy was ok (again greedy).

I have a supermarket (morrisons) bakery baguette, I asked them and they checked and said there are no allergens but now I'm not sure about contamination. I don't buy loaves of bread and I'd never get through a loaf before it got moldy.

I don't eat breakfast cereals, normally I have crumpet (they're fine) or chocolate muffin ("may contain nuts" ). I used to have Coco Pops, I think they are ok.

Pasta sauce that says "may contain nuts" is ok right?! Thats ridiculous .

I wouldn't worry about "may contain nuts" or "nut traces" warnings for the moment to be honest - you dont even know for sure yet what you're allergic to. But yes it would be sensible to avoid priducts that actually have nuts in the ingredients.

Registering with a GP should be straightforward presumably? Then you can the ball rolling. In the meantime get yourself some antihistamines - I was told to get cetirizine rather than piriton but hopefully the pharmacist can advise.

That's ok. Gives you a bit of an idea olderthanyouthink. Yes it is hard to know how to handle it until diagnosis like Sukitakeitoff says.
That's strange about the cetirizine though Sukitakeitoff. We were always told piriton was faster acting. We have piriton for anaphylaxis and cetirizine for dustmite/pollen/ animal allergies.

I'm allergic to nearly all nuts except for peanuts. Also allergic to pine nuts (which aren't technically nuts and aren't flagged up in allergy information boxes. Anyhow, I had a similar reaction many years ago and was told it was a classic peanut reaction. Not sure what set it apart from other nut reactions (possibly my eyes swelling shut)...I had been happily eating them for 20 years. I carry an epipen but have never had to use it. With "may contain", it's helpful if they specify peanut or tree nuts rather than just nuts...and some products are more likely to actually contain traces (made on same conveyor belt) than others (made in the same factory).
Definitely carry Piriton for food reactions. Be aware that just one pill can cause SEVERE drowsiness though. Be very careful not to drive etc whilst taking them.

Just to clarify...it wasn't a peanut reaction I had, but tartrazine!

Thanks guys

I filled in the form for registering with a new gp (grumbles about how all the ones I can sign up to have crap ratings/reviews) today so I should here back by friday or monday. Then I can see about finding out what I can't eat.

I have Loratadine, which seemed to help a bit yesterday but is slow, and Piriton, which made me very drowsy with just one pill for a lot longer than I thought it would. I don't drive atm as my scooter is still at my parents. (I think I've ridden it in the past while on loratadine but I don't think piriton, for hay fever)

I spoke to my parents earlier and my dad blames my mum as she's allergic to Brazil nuts, and he said there's not allergies on his side of the family. Then I spoke to my nan (dads mum) and she said she had a reaction so a vegetable that she ate as a child when she was visiting here home country (I'm not sure when, but she must have been 50+). And her advice was to eat whatever and see if I had another reaction... Won't be following that advice. Then I told my dad that his own mother had an allergy so he was at least partly wrong.

Puritan is faster acting but doesn't last as long. Loratitine is slower release (as such) which is why it's once a day.
Cetirizine is better for allergic reaction than loratidine.

Because Puriton (chlorphenamine) doesn't last for long periods it's recommended to take a second dose after 4 hours to try and prevent what's called a bi phasic reaction. That's wean you have another reaction after 6 hours because the level of anti histomanine in the blood stream decreases and the histamine levels rise suddenly. This second reaction can be worse than the original one as you noticed today.

Argh OP you were lucky I think. I agree with pp that you should have gone to A&E. That was a very serious reaction. Please don't be blasé about this, do not let it go. Your next reaction could be worse. IME health professionals are very understanding if you have issues with needles or blood (in my case) so don't be put off.

youarenotkiddingme whaa?

OhtoblazeswithElvira I thought I was getting better when I left work but when I go home my skin went crazy so I went to the local pharmacy and told the pharmacist everything, including times, and they just gave my Piriton and told me to inform my doctor so it could go on my record. I'm registering for a new GP to I can get tested, avoiding nuts and trying to deal with the panic attacks that keep happening at the thought of needles (including right now). I haven't had much luck with HCP and needles, the last one was astounded that a needle could bother anyone in the slightest.

I haven't had much luck with HCP and needles, the last one was astounded that a needle could bother anyone in the slightest.
What a shame! Could you get someone to go with you? I know how difficult it can be to explain how you're feeling when the panic is racing ahead.

I once helped a friend who had a needle phobia and had to have a jab for the trip of a lifetime. It wasn't easy but she managed the procedure. She was too worked up to explain about her panic attacks so I did it. The HCP was wonderful - encouraging, understanding and extra gentle.

Good luck!

If it helps, the skin prick tests involve more of a scratch with a pointy metal stick than a needle prick. My DC have had plenty and it doesn't bother then at all - it's nothing like an injection.

Ohtoblazes Don't have anyone really. I can usually get in "I really fucking hate needles" before it gets bad and I can't breath properly. (Was having my blood pressure measured the other day - I was labrat not patient - and the doctor mentioned a procedure where they stick something up a vein to your heart... My blood pressure was certainly not low after that).

Suki thanks, I'm avoiding googling it at the moment, maybe that will be ok.

The last unsympathetic HCP suggested a finger prick after but I was too far gone and it still doesn't sound appealing.

Both my sons have epipens, steroids plus take antihistamine 365 days. They re under St Thomas's allergy dept who don't recommend skin prick testing for them as not always conclusive (boys have lost some allergies and gained new ones over the years !) They have blood tests for Ige levels which are still sky high, so rather than trying to identify one possible cause until you see GP who can refer you to allergist you should carry Piriton which is preferred medication from our allergist at first sign of reaction. One of my sons had anaphylactic shock from Macadamia which is common ingredient in some vanilla ice cream very scary situation.

olderthanyouthink please don't worry too much about the skin prick testing, it is really nothing to worry about. My dd has had them all through her childhood (first at about 3yrs old and up), it is actually quite interesting waiting for the reaction to the allergen to appear (hive). I just asked her about them to put your mind at rest and whether she felt the prick hurt and she just told me she can't even remember the prick its more the reaction of the substance that was more intense (itching). Hope that helps. It is defo not like a needle. One explanation online was liked being pressed by the tip of a pencil.

Skin prick tests are really easy. My toddler was fascinated and didn't flinch. You barely feel them. It's not like a finger prick where it draws blood. Skin pricks are barely a scratch. I get the needle phobia though. I'm a fainter. The idea of a needle actually going in my are ihs enough to make me dizzy, so I have to sit down for 15 mins or so with a sugary drink after blood tests. I'm fine with skin prick tests as the needles (pins really) don't atually go in.