[OT] Hives

notbob said:

Anyone know about hives? I think I might have them. Woke up a few
days ago with a slight rash on the back of my hand. By yesterday I
was covered head to toe with a jillion small red dots and a few raised
red welts on the softer skin parts (back, chest, arms, etc). I
thought it might be shingles (had chkn-px as kid), so went to the doc
(GP). She said no, not shingles. Dismissed it as a food allergy or
heat rash. Well, it's not hot and I've never been much allergic to
anything.

The question is, can that change. The only exotica I've eaten lately
was a D-crab, bought from a Asian supermarket and cooked quite
thoroughly by myself. Never been a problem before. Had a buncha
peanuts around the same time, but I've been eating those all my life.
It looks like the damn thing has peaked and is on the ebb, but whatta
pain. I've been itching and scratching like crazy. Grrrr..... So,
is it possible to suddenly become allergic to things that have never
been a problem before? Are market fish tanks prone to cultivating
toxic no-seeums? WTF!? Should I get the blood test, anyway?

I had a similar reaction after eating at a sushi place in San Diego
something like ten years ago. Never did figure out what caused it, but it
came and went several times over the course of three days, then went away
for good. I'm sure it was *some* kind of allergy, but I've continued to eat
sushi and there hasn't been a recurrence.

Also, it is *definitely* possible for allergies to change over time. You
might consider asking your doctor to do an allergy screening on you, because
you have reason to believe you've developed a new allergy.

Bob

notbob said:

Anyone know about hives? I think I might have them. Woke up a few
days ago with a slight rash on the back of my hand. By yesterday I
was covered head to toe with a jillion small red dots and a few raised
red welts on the softer skin parts (back, chest, arms, etc). I
thought it might be shingles (had chkn-px as kid), so went to the doc
(GP). She said no, not shingles. Dismissed it as a food allergy or
heat rash. Well, it's not hot and I've never been much allergic to
anything.

The question is, can that change. The only exotica I've eaten lately
was a D-crab, bought from a Asian supermarket and cooked quite
thoroughly by myself. Never been a problem before. Had a buncha
peanuts around the same time, but I've been eating those all my life.
It looks like the damn thing has peaked and is on the ebb, but whatta
pain. I've been itching and scratching like crazy. Grrrr..... So,
is it possible to suddenly become allergic to things that have never
been a problem before? Are market fish tanks prone to cultivating
toxic no-seeums? WTF!? Should I get the blood test, anyway?

nb

Warning: IANAD nor do I play one in real life.

You can develop allergies at any age. When I was 53 and taking some
strong meads just after my angioplasty, I was eating a lot of fruit for
health reasons. I became allergic to kiwifruit. The first day I
noticed it, I had a pinpoint rash on my inner forearms. The next day I
ate kiwi again and developed large hives and badly swollen lips.
Benedryl took care of the symptoms, but I've stayed away from kiwi
because they weren't pleasant and from what I understand, each episode
gets more severe.

It may be due to a virus. It may be a reaction to a toxin. It may be a
reaction to crab or one of the many other things you have eaten recently
even though they never triggered anything in the past. It may be from a
new shirt or pruning the junipers. If it comes back, I'd go to an
allergist for testing so you can identify and avoid the allergen.

gloria p

ms_peacock said:

maybe a laundry product or bath soap.

Yeah, the doc asked about those, too. I use Zest and she recommended
Dove. I used to use Dove, but got tired of scraping the soap scum off
with a snow shovel.

OBfood; Gonna have my Thai noodle soup with homemade bbq pork for
super. The leftover marinade was so fragrant, I left it out on the
counter for a couple days. A sorta culinary potpourri.

nb

notbob said:

Anyone know about hives? I think I might have them. Woke up a few
days ago with a slight rash on the back of my hand. By yesterday I
was covered head to toe with a jillion small red dots and a few raised
red welts on the softer skin parts (back, chest, arms, etc). I
thought it might be shingles (had chkn-px as kid), so went to the doc
(GP). She said no, not shingles. Dismissed it as a food allergy or
heat rash. Well, it's not hot and I've never been much allergic to
anything.

The question is, can that change. The only exotica I've eaten lately
was a D-crab, bought from a Asian supermarket and cooked quite
thoroughly by myself. Never been a problem before. Had a buncha
peanuts around the same time, but I've been eating those all my life.
It looks like the damn thing has peaked and is on the ebb, but whatta
pain. I've been itching and scratching like crazy. Grrrr..... So,
is it possible to suddenly become allergic to things that have never
been a problem before? Are market fish tanks prone to cultivating
toxic no-seeums? WTF!? Should I get the blood test, anyway?

I became suddenly allergic to seafood while eating a D-crab from
an Asian market (5-Star Rice Company on Tully/101). While I do
get hives, it's usually preceded by a bad taste in the mouth and
heaves. The hives would go away after treatment - usually
famotadine, benedryl and epinephrin.

I've never had the hives last more than a few hours after
treatment though. And usually they come on more sudden.

I wouldn't order seafood out again until you eat it again at home
a couple times. If you have developed an allergy to soft
shellfish, the next reaction will come on stronger and faster
next time. Seafood includes crab, lobster and shrimp. Nothing
else. Crayfish, oysters, fish, clams, mussles, are all OK, just
soft shellfish.

The good news is you can desensitize yourself to the allergy by
eating *small* amounts of shrimp. More on that later if you're
interested.

My allergy comes and goes every few years. I've had it probably
5 times in all, for a total of maybe 15 years. I never order
shellfish in a restaurant since I don't know when it will pop up
again.

-sw

Steve Wertz said:

I've never had the hives last more than a few hours after
treatment though. And usually they come on more sudden.

I've had really minor food allergies, but that was years ago and quite
minor. The only things that bugged me were the skin of cucumbers,
avocados, and occasionally okra. These only manifested themselves as
a few raised welts in my mouth, lasting only a couple hours. Now I
eat an avocado every couple days and haven't had cuke skin in decades.
The okra thing shows up now and them but only on my lips. I hope it's
the peanuts. If it's shellfish, I may as well end it, now. 🙁

nb

"notbob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone know about hives? >
Grrrr..... So,
is it possible to suddenly become allergic to things that have never
been a problem before? Are market fish tanks prone to cultivating
toxic no-seeums? WTF!? Should I get the blood test, anyway?

nb

It might not be something you ate, it might be something you came in contact
with. Yes, it's possible to become allergic to things later in life. I
became allergic to penicillin around 35. My son started developing
allergies to stuff he'd eaten his whole life around age 28.

It's possible you're allergic to either the seafood or the peanuts. Or
maybe a laundry product or bath soap.

Ms P

"notbob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
:
: Anyone know about hives? I think I might have them. Woke up a few
: days ago with a slight rash on the back of my hand. By yesterday I
: was covered head to toe with a jillion small red dots and a few raised
: red welts on the softer skin parts (back, chest, arms, etc). I
: thought it might be shingles (had chkn-px as kid), so went to the doc
: (GP). She said no, not shingles. Dismissed it as a food allergy or
: heat rash. Well, it's not hot and I've never been much allergic to
: anything.
:
: The question is, can that change. The only exotica I've eaten lately
: was a D-crab, bought from a Asian supermarket and cooked quite
: thoroughly by myself. Never been a problem before. Had a buncha
: peanuts around the same time, but I've been eating those all my life.
: It looks like the damn thing has peaked and is on the ebb, but whatta
: pain. I've been itching and scratching like crazy. Grrrr..... So,
: is it possible to suddenly become allergic to things that have never
: been a problem before? Are market fish tanks prone to cultivating
: toxic no-seeums? WTF!? Should I get the blood test, anyway?
:
: nb

Marine stuff can be harvested from time to time from areas of the sea that have
toxic algae.
If the Country/Area doesn't check, then you can get sporadic outbreaks of
rashes/sickness. It certainly doesn't
affect everyone that eats it.
Here in NZ, the sea areas are regularly sampled and tested and a ban on
shellfish/seafood collection goes in place until the tests show it is clear.

The point being, this was never done a few years ago, so some people suffered
during the outbreak times. These were usually the people who say "I am allergic
to shellfish"

Frenchy

notbob said:

I've had really minor food allergies, but that was years ago and quite
minor. The only things that bugged me were the skin of cucumbers,
avocados, and occasionally okra. These only manifested themselves as
a few raised welts in my mouth, lasting only a couple hours. Now I
eat an avocado every couple days and haven't had cuke skin in decades.
The okra thing shows up now and them but only on my lips. I hope it's
the peanuts. If it's shellfish, I may as well end it, now. 🙁

For $129.98, I'll provide you with all the information to defeat
your shellfish allergy. And if you order in the next 59 minutes,
I throw in my new ebook - "Defeating Fire Ant Allergies",
completely FREE!

Wait - its gets better! If your promise to tell just one friend
about my publications, I'll cut the price in HALF. You pay only
$64.99! That's right, only $64.99. That's less than HALF the
price of a shotgun.

-sw

notbob said:

Anyone know about hives? I think I might have them. Woke up a few
days ago with a slight rash on the back of my hand. By yesterday I
was covered head to toe with a jillion small red dots and a few raised
red welts on the softer skin parts (back, chest, arms, etc). I
thought it might be shingles (had chkn-px as kid), so went to the doc
(GP). She said no, not shingles. Dismissed it as a food allergy or
heat rash. Well, it's not hot and I've never been much allergic to
anything.

Allergies change all the time (or lack thereof).

You poor thing - my ex got a big case of hives when I used a color
remover in the laundry to get his red ball point pen out of his white
shirts. He was really sensitive to it. Ever since, with the boys'
stuff, I always wash the garments twice after using the color remover.

N.

ms_peacock said:

"notbob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone know about hives? >
Grrrr..... So,
is it possible to suddenly become allergic to things that have never
been a problem before? Are market fish tanks prone to cultivating
toxic no-seeums? WTF!? Should I get the blood test, anyway?

nb

It might not be something you ate, it might be something you came in contact
with. Yes, it's possible to become allergic to things later in life. I
became allergic to penicillin around 35. My son started developing
allergies to stuff he'd eaten his whole life around age 28.

Yes, but it's not just "possible." It's probable. In fact, if you expose
yourself to the same old things often enough for long enough over your
lifetime, it's almost guaranteed that you'll end up sensitive to
something eventually.

Allergies and sensitivities don't spring from a vacuum. They are immune
system reactions. They are caused by repeated exposure, in every case.

notbob said:

Anyone know about hives? I think I might have them. Woke up a few
days ago with a slight rash on the back of my hand. By yesterday I
was covered head to toe with a jillion small red dots and a few raised
red welts on the softer skin parts (back, chest, arms, etc). I
thought it might be shingles (had chkn-px as kid), so went to the doc
(GP). She said no, not shingles. Dismissed it as a food allergy or
heat rash. Well, it's not hot and I've never been much allergic to
anything.

The question is, can that change. The only exotica I've eaten lately
was a D-crab, bought from a Asian supermarket and cooked quite
thoroughly by myself. Never been a problem before. Had a buncha
peanuts around the same time, but I've been eating those all my life.
It looks like the damn thing has peaked and is on the ebb, but whatta
pain. I've been itching and scratching like crazy. Grrrr..... So,
is it possible to suddenly become allergic to things that have never
been a problem before? Are market fish tanks prone to cultivating
toxic no-seeums? WTF!? Should I get the blood test, anyway?

nb

Could be a venereal disease... have you been screwing around with
poison ivy/oak/sumac? Early spring is when folks do yard work.. even
if not you your neighbor could be ... anyone downwind can get
zapped.... be especially wary of folks burning brush.

Sheldon

notbob <[email hidden]> news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Yeah, the doc asked about those, too. I use Zest and she recommended
Dove. I used to use Dove, but got tired of scraping the soap scum off
with a snow shovel.

OBfood; Gonna have my Thai noodle soup with homemade bbq pork for
super. The leftover marinade was so fragrant, I left it out on the
counter for a couple days. A sorta culinary potpourri.

nb

I remember when I got home after my 3 and final surgery I developed a bunch
of skin weirdness. The doctor said I was subjected to so much anesthesia,
morphine and various other drugs, in a 9 month period, that I had
developed an intolerance to my usual laundry detergent and body soap
<shrug> I dunno. Anyway I followed the suggestions of a dermatologist. I
changed my Lever 2000 to Dove and my laundry detergent to (I can't remember
the brand name) some free clear detergent which helped with allergens etc.
Well it worked. I am now able to use any bar soap or laundry detergent I
want to. Apparently my immune system got over it. Have you had any trauma
recently?

Michael

--
"The first zucchini I ever saw I killed it with a hoe."
John Gould, Monstrous Depravity, 1963

Pennyaline <[email hidden]>
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Allergies and sensitivities don't spring from a vacuum. They are
immune system reactions. They are caused by repeated exposure, in
every case.

Exactly what my doctor and the dermatologist told me.

Michael

--
"The first zucchini I ever saw I killed it with a hoe."
John Gould, Monstrous Depravity, 1963

notbob said:

Anyone know about hives? I think I might have them. Woke up a few
days ago with a slight rash on the back of my hand. By yesterday I
was covered head to toe with a jillion small red dots and a few raised
red welts on the softer skin parts (back, chest, arms, etc). I
thought it might be shingles (had chkn-px as kid), so went to the doc
(GP). She said no, not shingles. Dismissed it as a food allergy or
heat rash. Well, it's not hot and I've never been much allergic to
anything.

Are you sure that it wasn't chicken pox, measles or one of the other
'rashy' childhood illnesses? Some people get them more than once in
their lifetime, and you aren't necessarily terribly ill with them. It
sounds far too widespread to be an allergic reaction to food to me.

Steve Wertz said:

On 05 May 2006 13:06:36 -0700, notbob wrote:

Quoted message said:

$64.99! That's right, only $64.99. That's less than HALF the
price of a shotgun.

Hey, I want the full price of a shotgun! 😉

nb

Michael \'Dog3\' Lonergan said:

Pennyaline <[email hidden]>
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Allergies and sensitivities don't spring from a vacuum. They are
immune system reactions. They are caused by repeated exposure, in
every case.

Exactly what my doctor and the dermatologist told me.

Holy [censored]! I'm backing off ice cream and beer today! 😉

nb

Michael \'Dog3\' Lonergan said:

notbob <[email hidden]> news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

want to. Apparently my immune system got over it. Have you had any trauma
recently?

I had to get up before 9:00 on Tuesday. <shrug>

nb

"notbob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Anyone know about hives? I think I might have them. Woke up a few
days ago with a slight rash on the back of my hand. By yesterday I
was covered head to toe with a jillion small red dots and a few raised
red welts on the softer skin parts (back, chest, arms, etc). I
thought it might be shingles (had chkn-px as kid), so went to the doc
(GP). She said no, not shingles. Dismissed it as a food allergy or
heat rash. Well, it's not hot and I've never been much allergic to
anything.

The question is, can that change. The only exotica I've eaten lately
was a D-crab, bought from a Asian supermarket and cooked quite
thoroughly by myself. Never been a problem before. Had a buncha
peanuts around the same time, but I've been eating those all my life.
It looks like the damn thing has peaked and is on the ebb, but whatta
pain. I've been itching and scratching like crazy. Grrrr..... So,
is it possible to suddenly become allergic to things that have never
been a problem before? Are market fish tanks prone to cultivating
toxic no-seeums? WTF!? Should I get the blood test, anyway?

nb

It sounds exactly like what happens to my daughter when she eats yogurt.
As for food allergies, they can develop at any age, regardless of how much you have
eaten the food item in the past. My doctor said it's almost like there is a set
amount of certain items that your body will handle (though different for each
individual), and once you reach it, you begin reacting to that item. Food allergies
can sometimes go away too, especially in small children.
Write down whatever you can remember from the preceding the appearance of the rash,
and the day that it appeared. If and when it happens again, compare to see what both
incidents have in common.

Another thing: If it's an allergy, you should be able to get relief from an
antihistamine.

Hope this helps!

kimberly

Nexis said:

It sounds exactly like what happens to my daughter when she eats yogurt.
As for food allergies, they can develop at any age, regardless of how much you have
eaten the food item in the past. My doctor said it's almost like there is a set
amount of certain items that your body will handle (though different for each
individual), and once you reach it, you begin reacting to that item. Food allergies
can sometimes go away too, especially in small children.
Write down whatever you can remember from the preceding the appearance of the rash,
and the day that it appeared. If and when it happens again, compare to see what both
incidents have in common.

Another thing: If it's an allergy, you should be able to get relief from an
antihistamine.

Agreed. There's at least some chance it could be a seafood induced
histamine reaction.

--
Reg