Cindy in C-ville Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 We had shrimp tonight for dinner ~ 3 hours ago. Grace, my 17 yo, just now got really puffy and numb around her eyes. I can't think of anything else it would be. I don't have any Benadryl, so I gave her a Zyrtec. Will that do the trick, do you think? Or should I run up to the store and get Benadryl? She isn't itchy in her throat, or anywhere else. TIA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 I'd go for the Benadryl, simply cause I'm not familiar w/Zyrtec. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewellsmommy Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 get benadryl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in C-ville Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 Just ran to the store and back for some Benadryl and will continue to keep an eye on her. You ladies are the best! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jpoy85 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsbaby Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 My dd is very allergic to shellfish. Glad you got the Benadryl....next I would get allergy testing done. Sometimes, as in my dd's case, each exposure can lead to a more serious reaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
61Keys Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 I have a serious shellfish allergy. I would like to see someone sit up with her all night and the next 24 hours. One can have a serious reaction in the first 24 hours but most will have it in the first. You need to keep Benedryl on hand and hopefully see an allergist soon and get an epi. Zyrtec, Claritin and all the other 24 hour sniffle meds do not act on emergencies like Benedryl does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Just FYI: the reason other cold treatment meds would not work is that they don't contain diphenhydramine, which, like epinephrine can be used for life-threatening reactions (anaphylaxis) to allergens. Do have your DD tested after this; those with severe allegeries carry epinephrine in a quick to self-administer form (an "epi pen"). If your DD has a less severe shellfish allergy, then have her carry Benadryl for unexpected exposure. As others have said, the more times you are exposed to an allergen once you react, the more severe the reaction can become in each successive exposure. See here, here, and here for "hidden" shellfish exposures. I know it can even unexpectedly be in dips -- a friend of mine lost a middle-aged friend of hers at a party to reaction to the shellfish that no one knew was in the buffet dip. :( Our nephew has a *severe* peanut allergy, carries an epi pen, and double and triple checks the ingredients of EVERYTHING. Plus, there is the danger of residue which can cause a reaction for him -- as a little guy, he ended up in the emergency room due to eating a bite of chocolate chip cookie -- that had been baked on a pan that had previously baked peanutbutter cookies and even been washed. :( BEST wishes for a quick recovery! Warmest regards, Lori D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LillyMama Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 I have two Epi-Pen-dependent kids, one for peanuts, the other for tree nuts, and I feel your pain. That panic you feel is frightening. I'll tell you what our allergist told us: As others have said- keep an eye on her. It really could get worse in a couple hours again, and the Benadryl you've already given her may mask the progression. Also, keep giving her Benadryl throughout tomorrow, as well. Even for two days couldn't hurt. Usually 24 hours is enough for the shellfish to work its way through her system. But for some people, the first 24-48 hours after an attack, they'll start responding to other things as well. Her body could be on high-alert and decide it doesn't like an apple and attack that as well. Most people don't respond this way, but just in case your daughter does, I'd keep giving her Benadryl to be safe. And definitely get her tested. We discovered, through testing, that many foods are related that we wouldn't guess. (For example, my son cannot have peaches, as they are related to walnuts, and my daughter cannot eat peas because they are related to peanuts.) I know people shrug off one-off reactions like this one, but allergies do tend to get worse as people age. I think it's just best to be informed. Sorry you went through that, I know from personal experience how scary it is. I hope this is the last of it for her and all is better tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Agreeing with what everyone else said -- get an epipen for her. Also, she should let people know that she's allergic to shellfish if she's ever in the hospital or having tests done. I'm fuzzy on the details right now, but I remember a friend who is allergic to shellfish nearly being given a test that had used iodine in the dye, and that's bad for shellfish-allergic people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 I don't have anything to add but I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. :grouphug: You got great advice. She's likely outside the window for a life threatening biphasic reaction I think but do watch her. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delaney Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 This is a warning and each reaction can get worse. I would go to the allergist and get her tested so that you have the info and a scrip for an epi jr. I have 3 with life threatening allergies-fun, fun, fun:glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamrachelle Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Cindy, just thought I'd check in and see how Grace was feeling this morning. Allergic reactions can be scary. I hope her symptoms subsided quickly with the benadryl and that you both had a restful night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
61Keys Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Just checking to see if everything is OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 I am allergic to shellfish and iodine. Some other seafoods can be an issue as well. I have to let the drs know every single time I go to the hospital even though it is written across my chart in big red letters. I always have benedryl on hand and that is good enough to handle most reactions but any that interfer with breathing require an epi-pen so you might want to get in to see a specialist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 Great info here. I would also encourage testing as well. J See here, here, and here for "hidden" shellfish exposures. I know it can even unexpectedly be in dips -- a friend of mine lost a middle-aged friend of hers at a party to reaction to the shellfish that no one knew was in the buffet dip. :( Those lists include all seafood, not just shellfish. A shellfish allergy is not nearly as restrictive as a seafood allergy. I have a shellfish allergy, but can eat most fish so most of those products mentioned are OK for me. I can't cook shellfish in my house (my poor family loves crab cakes) and can't eat at restaurants that serve shellfish unless, after talking with the manager, can fell assured that they regularly avoid cross-contamination. I had a reaction at a sushi restaurant due to the chef not cleaning his knife properly after preparing shrimp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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