AngieW in Texas Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 It started off when my dd used her sister's conditioner because her own had run out. She used it on Monday morning and then again on Tuesday morning. She is a delayed reactor, so she usually doesn't react until at least 18 hours have passed. Tuesday evening, I noticed that she had some redness, but I just thought she was flushed. Wednesday morning, she woke up with hives all over her upper body. Her right eyelid and left ear were swollen. She took Benadryl during the day, but was still miserable by the time I got home from work, so I took her to Urgent Care. At Urgent Care, they gave her an oral steroid that she took in the office and sent a prescription for a steroid pack to start the next day. She was already feeling a little better by the next morning (Thursday) and took the morning dose of two pills. By noon she was feeling and looking much better (hives mostly gone) and took the lunchtime dose. She was feeling fine by that point and went to Prom. By the end of prom, her feet were sore, but she didn't think much about that because she had been dancing. She took her bedtime dose of the steroid. She woke up this morning (Friday) with her lips swollen and then later figured out that her hands, feet, and elbows were also swollen. They aren't greatly swollen, but it is visible. She has a hard time doing any kind of fine motor movement right now and has a lot of difficulty walking because of the pain in her feet. My dh took her to the urgent care (I was already at work when she woke up). They said that it was an allergic reaction to the steroid. They said that she could still take Benadryl, but obviously shouldn't take the steroid any more and to be very careful of any type of steroidal medication in the future. They said that if her breathing became a problem or it got much worse that we could go to the hospital for an epi shot, but that it had its own list of side effects, so she might be better off just riding out the reaction unless there were actual breathing problems. She is miserable. She is unsure about whether or not to take Benadryl because she feels worse now than she did before she took it. I'm really not sure whether to recommend that she take the Benadryl or not. What do you think? ETA: We do have an epi-pen. She was prescribed an epi-pen a while ago (that we have renewed before the expiration date) because of unexplained throat swelling. We still have not found a cause despite allergy testing (negative) and an upper endoscopy (negative). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsuga Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 I am so sorry! I strongly recommend getting her to a specialist from urgent care if possible. Does your insurance cover that? Can you call a nurse line? I think in the state she's in, she should be only taking things under supervision of or in consultation with a specialist. You are in my thoughts! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaVT Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Can you call and ask about taking Zyrtec + Pepcid (yes, the heartburn medicine)? That is what my Dr. had me take for my recent allergic reaction to spider bites and it's worked like a charm for me. One is an H1 antihistamine and the other is an H2 antihistamine and they work together to help against allergic reactions. Just a thought since I just went through dealing with an unpleasant allergic reaction this week. Hope she feels better soon! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 I have body-hives in delayed reactions, and take Benedryl. But I also take Buffered C (not VitaminC in a pill--Buffered C) and it does a lot to speed up the process of getting over the reaction. I also take a bath with Domeboro (you have to look HARD but it is in most pharmacies) in it. It draws out the allergens. It's a 100 year old remedy so it is not glamorous. I had a friend get 30 bee-stings earlier this year and he was miserable and hivey for DAYS. He did the Domeboro bath and Buffered C routine and he was better almost overnight. I am so sorry for your daughter. I just had a go-round and it took a few days to get over it, partly because I am stupid and can't tell the difference between hives and massive skin infection...but I was a LOT better after I took the Buffered C and did the Domeboro bath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Zyrtec worked better for hives here. It lasts longer than Benadryl, so you don't rebound. I would want to see her allergist to sort the whole mess out given a possible drug allergy now. I'd want that ruled in or out. :grouphug: 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Zyrtec worked better for hives here. It lasts longer than Benadryl, so you don't rebound. I would want to see her allergist to sort the whole mess out given a possible drug allergy now. I'd want that ruled in or out. :grouphug: I should probably try this. It's so hard to try something new when I know something else works. But "works better" might be worth exploring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 When my daughter had unexplained hives and angioedema, she went on an old school antihistamine called ranitadine which worked well, for what it's worth. Benydryl didn't help them at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted May 30, 2015 Author Share Posted May 30, 2015 She isn't any worst this morning, but she isn't any better either. I'm about to head out to Walgreen's for the Domoboro powder. They didn't know what buffered vitamin C was, but I know I can get that at People's Pharmacy when they open. Hopefully I can get her some relief. Her summer class at the community college starts on Monday and it's Monday-Thursday, so she's starting to freak out about that on top of being completely miserable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaVT Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 I should probably try this. It's so hard to try something new when I know something else works. But "works better" might be worth exploring. FWIW - the first thing they did for me at the walk in clinic was shoot me in the bum with a giant concentrated dose of benedryl and cortisone. All that did was make my bum hurt and make me tired. The reaction site didn't start improving at all until I started with the zyrtec/pepcid combo. And that worked quickly. Hope she's doing better this morning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Yup, pepcid on top of the benedryl. Or zanac (which is the ranitidine someone mentioned up thread). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyandtheBrains. Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Seconding taking an H1 and H2 blocker, also be sure to get this sorted at an allergist soon. An allergy to the steroid could make things more complicated later on! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted May 30, 2015 Author Share Posted May 30, 2015 Right now she is still too scared to take the benadryl. She has taken zyrtec before, but stopped because it is an effect multiplier for trazodone for her. She has been taking trazodone for 4.5 years for insomnia. I don't know if I could get her to try zyrtec. I bought the domeboro powder, but so far she isn't willing to try it. I haven't gotten the buffered vitamin C yet.. I don't know if I can her to take that either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Buffered vitamin C is available at vitamin shoppe, sometimes at whole foods. You need the powder, not the pills, for it to work. you can also buy it online from Amazon, I like the Nutricology brand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Also, heat and exercise can being back reactions, for some people just being out in the sun. Keep her cool and resting for a few days. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cintinative Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 Yes to the person that recommended Pepcid, and do not stop the Benadryl. It will make her tired, but it shouldn't make her feel worse. If you have an allergist, call her emergency number and make sure she doesn't need to go to the E.R. I am being serious. People have died in a couple hours from allergic reactions even when Benadryl was used. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted May 30, 2015 Author Share Posted May 30, 2015 We do not have a regular allergist. She has seen two different allergists for allergy testing, but the last one was 1.5 years ago. That was the doctor that gave her the epi-pen prescription. We keep the epi-pen current with her regular doctor who has no clue what is wrong, but is generally amenable to referring us to other doctors. The Urgent Care doctor saw her yesterday morning for the steroid reaction. She said that if she had any breathing problems to get her to the hospital immediately for epinephrine and take the epi-pen with us in case she needed it on the way. The reaction appears to be beginning to subside. Her lips are no longer swollen at all. Her hands and feet are still puffy, but she can actually use her hands now. They were swollen enough that it hurt too much too use them yesterday. Walking is still uncomfortable. She still has hives, but even those are not as bad as they were this morning. At this point, she is still afraid to take even Benadryl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 I am very experienced in this, unfortunately. First of all, I am VERY skeptical of your daughter being allergic to a steroid. I don't buy it, at least not from an urgent care doc based on WHAT? There are plenty of other steroids to try, too, if they are nervous about one that she's already been given. = Second, get her to an allergist ASAP. She needs better management. If she gets any worse, take her to the ER, not an urgent care. They will have actual board certified specialists they can consult, the option to hospitalize, IV steroids, monitoring and treatment options for any more severe reactions, etc. Next, you can take Benadryl + Zyrtec (both are OTC) at the same time. Take each at the highest labeled dose around the clock. These are your best weapons short of the steroid. Next, she should be on a high dose, tapered, steroid for 5-10 days. If it's going to be over a week, be sure you are working with an expert to plan tapering and avoid rebounding. Add (Pepcid or) Zantac (OTC) as both a random anti-histimine-ish thing and as a GI protectant to prevent GI issues while pounding all these meds. Round the clock. A topical triamcinolone (steroid, prescription) cream is very helpful, but use sparingly on large expanses of skin. I had such a bad reaction to Augmentin that I bounced out of the urgent care, then an ER, then another ER and 24 hr inpatient stay (only one of my life), and then took more than 90 days to get off the steroids. It was AWFUL and debilitating. Several days into the reaction cycle, I had to fly home from our dream-Disney vacation (leaving the kids and husband to finish the vacation and drive home a few days later) to get hospitalized in our home town in order to avoid being trapped in-patient in the (lovely) FL hospital . . . You need an expert managing this. Allergic reactions can be life threatening. During that treatment, I was on all of the above meds for a few weeks, and most of them (both antihistamines, the GI protectant, and the steroids) for months, having to very slowly wean off the steroids to avoid the hives rebounding . . . Those were all prescribed by doctors, simulateously. It was a throw-everything-including-the-kitchen sink approach to avoid repeated hospitalizations and life threatening allergic reactions . . . So, it's not ideal to do all that, but I'm just laying it out there to make it clear that there are lots of options available. (((hugs))) Good luck! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 ps. Reading more, I would NOT delegate any of the medication or medical decisions on this issue to a minor kid. Period. This is LIFE THREATENING. Presumably the DR who RX'ed the epi-pen made clear that any use of epinephrine is a life-threatening emergency. They are not perfect. They are short term keep-you-alive solutions but do not stop the reaction or save your life beyond the minutes/hours they are in effect. Their purpose is to keep you alive while you get to the ER. If her face puffs up, face or throat gets itchy, any AT ALL breathing symptoms, get her to the ER immediately. And, by all means, get a regular allergist immediately. Find one Monday morning, and get her an appointment for a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted May 30, 2015 Share Posted May 30, 2015 I'm glad it's subsiding some. I'm sorry she's scared. Is she worried she might be reacting to benadryl instead of the steroid? I am assuming. I'd ask for allergist referral. I hope it doesn't take terribly long to get in. It will bring her peace of mind, and safety, to know what caused that reaction. I looked last night, and hypersensitivity to internally taken steroids is rare, but it happens apparently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cintinative Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 You don't always feel like you are having trouble breathing when you are having anaphylaxsis. I agree with the prior posters--you need to keep her on the benadryl--alive and sleepy is all good right now. A feeling of weakness like I was going to faint is what I had when I had anaphylaxis. You must keep a good eye on her--reduction in her hives does not 100% mean she is out of the woods. If she shows signs of anaphylaxsis, do not hesitate--use the EpiPen. If you hesitate, she might not make it to the ER. Symptoms of anaphylaxsis: The symptoms and course of anaphylaxis can vary. Initial signs of an anaphylactic episode can be deceptively mild, such as a runny nose, a skin rash all over the body, or a nondescript "strange feeling." These symptoms can quickly become more serious, including difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat or other parts of the body, rapid drop in blood pressure, and dizziness or unconsciousness. Other symptoms of anaphylaxis include: Sense of impending doom Hives Tightness of the throat Hoarse voice Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain Diarrhea Lightheadedness Cardiac effects, including a rapid drop in blood pressure and irregular heart beat It is important to seek immediate emergency medical care if you or someone you know begins to go into anaphylactic shock. If the person loses consciousness, raise their feet while waiting for medical assistance. Keep them warm and make sure their airway remains open. If they seem to be having trouble breathing, lay them on the ground and tilt their head back. This helps get the tongue out of the way of air flow. http://www.aaia.ca/en/anaphylaxis_facts.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cintinative Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 Also, next time, do not hesitate to call whatever allergist she most recently saw--even if it was 1.5 years ago. If you have an emergency like this--severe reaction--they will make their nurses available and bring you in as quickly as possible. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snickerplum Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 I'm sure you've already done this, so please don't scream "duh!" at me. :-) Make sure you change/wash her bedding -especially her pillow case- if you think the initial reaction was caused by the conditioner. Did they find anything in the conditioner that may be a trigger? Almond, coconut, etc. Good luck! I hope she gets better and it all gets figured out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted May 31, 2015 Author Share Posted May 31, 2015 She visibly improved throughout the course of the day yesterday. She did take Benadryl later in the day and took it at bedtime also to make sure that she could sleep. There is only a little visible swelling in the hands now, none anywhere else. The hives are almost completely gone. I can only see a few spots on her elbows. We did wash all of her bedding after we figured out that she was allergic to the conditioner to make sure that she didn't come into contact with it again. And my 19yo is going to have to use a different conditioner. I'm going to buy another bottle of the conditioner that my 17yo usually used that she was out of and that's what they can both use. I compared the ingredients list from the conditioner that she has been using for the past couple of years with the one that caused the reaction. They only had a few ingredients in common, so there are a lot of possibilities as far as what caused the reaction, including the possibility that it was some random ingredient in "fragrance". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mominco Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snickerplum Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 "Fragrance" is annoying. So are "natural flavors." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junie Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 I have some experience with finding hidden allergens in products. Do you mind sharing what kind of conditioner she used? Maybe I can help you find the trigger so you can avoid another experience like this one. Glad that your dd is starting to feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Can you call and ask about taking Zyrtec + Pepcid (yes, the heartburn medicine)? That is what my Dr. had me take for my recent allergic reaction to spider bites and it's worked like a charm for me. One is an H1 antihistamine and the other is an H2 antihistamine and they work together to help against allergic reactions. Just a thought since I just went through dealing with an unpleasant allergic reaction this week. Hope she feels better soon! Yes, when my immune system goes nuts and is sensitized to everything after an allergic reaction, I take nexium, zantac, and benedryl on a rotating schedule for four days, or until the reaction is gone, whichever is longer. Frequently they'll do prednisone as well. Epinephrine is only if the reaction goes anaphylactic on me. This quells the issues short term. Long term, they have me on lose doze naltrexone to help my immune system. It has worked GREAT! Big hugs to your daughter. I'm so sorry she is struggling with major health issues and no good answers :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 "Fragrance" is annoying. So are "natural flavors." And "spice" or "spices," which is usually MSG, which gives me a giant headache. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted June 10, 2015 Author Share Posted June 10, 2015 I've narrowed the problem ingredient down one of these three or possibly a combination of them: 2-bromo-2-nitro propane-1,3-diol methylchloroisothiazolinone methylisothiazolinone Walgreen's now has methylprednisolone on her allergy list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junie Posted June 10, 2015 Share Posted June 10, 2015 methylisothiazolinone When you mentioned that she was allergic to conditioner, this was the first thing I thought of. My dd8 is allergic to this. She used to have reactions to the baby wipes we used. I'm glad that you've gotten it narrowed down and I hope that your dd is feeling better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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