I Think I'm Allergic to Crenshaw Melon...Anyone Familiar with This?

[Christine]

Not referring to Oral Allergy Syndrome in this case, which seems to be all I can find on it.

Far as I know, I have no known food allergies but have shown some minor allergies (skin) to coatings on some OTC pills and Gain detergent.

Now, back to the subject, I say I *think* because I ingested two other things around the same time.

First, got up in the morning, had no breakfast. Later in the morning, I decided to cut up some Crenshaw melon (I have never eaten this type before). Stuck it in the fridge. I ate my lunch which was some lunchmeat, tomato, yogurt, and a big bowl of watermelon. Also a spoonful of Pepto Bismal as my stomach was a little off yesterday. At some point, I kind of felt like the skin on my neck in certain areas was a little itchy. I looked and I had a small hive on my jawline and up on my face. Put a little concealer on it because I looked splotchy and in an hour or so, it was going away.

Spent the day doing housework, all was well. Around 3PM, I thought I'd try a bit of that Crenshaw melon to see how it tasted. I had one piece that probably didn't even weigh an ounce. Delicious!!! Sat on the couch to read and started to feel really sleepy. Unusual. I kind of dozed off a bit and got up about 45 minutes later. Went into the bathroom and noticed my neck and one ear was a little red. Happened to lift my arm up and saw that I had large, symmetrical patches of hives underneath each arm, sort of inside the bicep area. Not overly itchy. Really big wheals and really red. As time went on, I started getting random hives on my torso and especially in areas where there were pressure points. I didn't feel overly well either. My arms felt "tired." Then my hip joints and upper thighs felt "tired" and I started get clusters of hives on my inner thighs. Dosed myself up with Benadryl which helped a bit.

When I went to bed last night, the arm hives were gone and most hives were on my torso area with some down to the legs. But a hive came up on my cheek and I was itching underneath my chin. Woke up this morning with most of that gone but I am getting random "pressure" hives now.

Anyway, long story I know. I am blaming the Crenshaw but I have no idea. I eat watermelon EVERY DAY, sometimes twice a day and that has been fine. I know you can become allergic to anything at any time and I'd hate to think it was that. Today I'm scared to try any watermelon. The Pepto is another concern. I've been fine with it and I use it regularly if I'm in an IBS flare and works good for that. I guess the allergy started before I ate the melon though when I think about my neck. But I did handle the melon and cut it all up in chunks that morning. I guess after that, the neck skin-itching started.

Trying to find info on the internet about melon allergy and it's ALL about Oral Allergy Syndrome. Does anyone have any experience with melon allergy causing traditional food allergy symptoms?

 

[mumto3girls]

Is Crenshaw a type of watermelon or were you eating watermelon and Crenshaw melon?

I don’t have any real advice, but I am terribly sorry if you are allergic to watermelon. It is one of my very favorite foods. I could eat it every day.

 

[Christine]

Is Crenshaw a type of watermelon or were you eating watermelon and Crenshaw melon?

I don’t have any real advice, but I am terribly sorry if you are allergic to watermelon. It is one of my very favorite foods. I could eat it every day.

I had some watermelon earlier in the day (I eat it almost daily). The Crenshaw melon (which is kind of like a honeydew and cantaloupe) I had later in the day. Had a piece of watermelon today and did okay, so I'm thinking it is this new-to-me melon. I guess I'm just surprised at the significant hive reaction for such a small amount.

 

[DLgal]

How often do you take pepto bismol? I'd put that as a likelier candidate since what you had sounds like a systemic reaction.

Since you developed hives before eating the Crenshaw melon, I wouldn't put it down to that. But if you want to check, just grab a pin or needle, sterilize it well, and scratch up a tiny spot on your arm (not enough to bleed), then rub some raw melon on it. If it turns into a hive, you have your answer.

 

[Christine]

How often do you take pepto bismol? I'd put that as a likelier candidate since what you had sounds like a systemic reaction.

Since you developed hives before eating the Crenshaw melon, I wouldn't put it down to that. But if you want to check, just grab a pin or needle, sterilize it well, and scratch up a tiny spot on your arm (not enough to bleed), then rub some raw melon on it. If it turns into a hive, you have your answer.

On the Pepto...depends on the IBS. Sometimes I will take it daily for 2-3 days during an IBS flare and then I can go weeks without it. I think I took it once or twice last week, and then yesterday morning.

I did rub the melon on my skin but didn't scratch the skin. I'll give that a try.

 

[DLgal]

On the Pepto...depends on the IBS. Sometimes I will take it daily for 2-3 days during an IBS flare and then I can go weeks without it. I think I took it once or twice last week, and then yesterday morning.

I did rub the melon on my skin but didn't scratch the skin. I'll give that a try.

Well, not that this is helpful, but people tend to develop allergies to meds they take frequently. Happened to my mom with ibuprofen. You can possibly be developing an allergy to pepto. I would try taking that again, one morning before you eat anything else, just to see if you have a reaction.

 

[Imzadi]

I have Oral Allergy Syndrome, verified by an allergist. I am allergic to ALL melons and raw tomatoes. Although I don't have any outward signs. Just the itchy roof of my mouth, itchy, scratchy throat and ears. And my lips & tongue will feel raw and they can get swollen depending on how much I've eaten. The symptoms show up within 2 minutes, usually less. I don't need to eat a lot. Less than a teaspoon full of the offending food. So, if I'm eating at a potluck, where I don't know all the ingredients and can't ask the cook, I eat a spoonful. Then wait 2 minutes to see if I'm allergic to something in the food.

You ate two different kinds of melon AND tomato. Maybe you had a reaction to eating all 3 at once, that became more severe than the usual symptoms?

 

[Christine]

I have Oral Allergy Syndrome, verified by an allergist. I am allergic to ALL melons and raw tomatoes. Although I don't have any outward signs. Just the itchy roof of my mouth, itchy, scratchy throat and ears. And my lips & tongue will feel raw and they can get swollen depending on how much I've eaten. The symptoms show up within 2 minutes, usually less. I don't need to eat a lot. Less than a teaspoon full of the offending food. So, if I'm eating at a potluck, where I don't know all the ingredients and can't ask the cook, I eat a spoonful. Then wait 2 minutes to see if I'm allergic to something in the food.

You ate two different kinds of melon AND tomato. Maybe you had a reaction to eating all 3 at once, that became more severe than the usual symptoms?

Possibly. However, I had no oral symptoms at all. The Oral Allergy Syndrome seems really common but it never describes hives on the body. My mouth, lips, etc and all my breathing seemed fine.

 

[Christine]

Well, not that this is helpful, but people tend to develop allergies to meds they take frequently. Happened to my mom with ibuprofen. You can possibly be developing an allergy to pepto. I would try taking that again, one morning before you eat anything else, just to see if you have a reaction.

Yes, I guess I'll have to try that later in the week. Right now, the hives are less but they are coming and going. I was sitting on the couch reading and had my arms close to my body holding the Kindle. Also a little warm in the house. Now, I've got the hives popping back up on the insides of my biceps again and I've had three pop out on my face.

 

[mumto3girls]

I had some watermelon earlier in the day (I eat it almost daily). The Crenshaw melon (which is kind of like a honeydew and cantaloupe) I had later in the day. Had a piece of watermelon today and did okay, so I'm thinking it is this new-to-me melon. I guess I'm just surprised at the significant hive reaction for such a small amount.

Okay. I think I may have had Crenshaw melon at one time. I love melons and eat them a lot during the summer.

Let us know what you figure out. I am prone to skin rashes, hives and itchiness and know how perplexing it can be. I grow tomatoes in the summer and can get hives from touching the plants although the fruit itself doesn’t really seem to bother me—I am careful not to eat too much at one time though. And walnuts and pineapple will make the inside of my mouth feel kind of raw. I avoid walnuts and only eat pineapple in small amounts. But a few times I’ve developed hives and never figured it out.

 

[Christine]

Okay. I think I may have had Crenshaw melon at one time. I love melons and eat them a lot during the summer.

Let us know what you figure out. I am prone to skin rashes, hives and itchiness and know how perplexing it can be. I grow tomatoes in the summer and can get hives from touching the plants although the fruit itself doesn’t really seem to bother me—I am careful not to eat too much at one time though. And walnuts and pineapple will make the inside of my mouth feel kind of raw. I avoid walnuts and only eat pineapple in small amounts. But a few times I’ve developed hives and never figured it out.

Yeah, this was my first time having one also. I picked it up at the farmer's market last weekend and had it on my counter sitting. Finally decided to cut it yesterday. It was really, really good but I guess I won't be trying it again for a long while. Still not 100% sure it was that melon that did it. I'll have to try the other stuff later in the week. Right now the hives are still active, as hives will do.

 

[Imzadi]

Possibly. However, I had no oral symptoms at all. The Oral Allergy Syndrome seems really common but it never describes hives on the body. My mouth, lips, etc and all my breathing seemed fine.

No, it doesn't sound like Oral Allergy Syndrome. But, it could have been the combo of all the enzymes from the 3 ingredients together. I hope you figure this out.

 

[Tattylou]

I'm allergic to peaches - really allergic - not just oral allergy syndrome. My initial symptoms if I have peaches are hive around my jawline, neck, and up my face. It eventually can turn into a full face puffed up nightmare. I think you may be allergic to that melon. I would recommend seeing an allergist and do not eat it again until you know. My peach allergy is considered potential for anaphylaxis, although I never recall having that feeling. Basically, the allergist told me no peaches ever. I'm also allergic to peanuts and have a similar reaction. Go see an allergist. Do not play allergist at home. It can be dangerous.

 

[Christine]

I'm allergic to peaches - really allergic - not just oral allergy syndrome. My initial symptoms if I have peaches are hive around my jawline, neck, and up my face. It eventually can turn into a full face puffed up nightmare. I think you may be allergic to that melon. I would recommend seeing an allergist and do not eat it again until you know. My peach allergy is considered potential for anaphylaxis, although I never recall having that feeling. Basically, the allergist told me no peaches ever. I'm also allergic to peanuts and have a similar reaction. Go see an allergist. Do not play allergist at home. It can be dangerous.

Got it!

Yeah, no more melon for me for a while. I just hope these things go away soon as I'm going to the beach next week. Then I guess I'll look for an allergist. My son has a peanut allergy (he's 25 now) so our days with going to an allergist were long ago.

I thought the hives were doing better but they flared up again on my inner thighs late yesterday. I was watching TV with my feet up on the ottoman, legs kind of squished together and that's where they came out in all their glory. Started around 7:30 and were totally gone by about 11PM. Woke up this morning with no hives anywhere, although I think I have a few small bumps under my chin/jawline area and my eyelids are just a little itchy.

Guess we'll see how it goes today. I really want this to clear up before my beach trip. Thought about making a doc appointment but I know what the treatment is here--antihistamines. I just think it's odd that these hives seem to be set off by pressure. A shot or bath is not eliciting them as I would have thought.

 

[Lynne G]

My DD gets hives when she ate strawberries, and oddly, very rarely when we eat out. And no strawberries does she eat when we eat out. She takes Benadryl, and the hives disappear in about 20 or so minutes. She gets them mostly on her arms and legs. Not that oral reaction either. Just an allergic reaction.

I hope whatever is triggering your hives can be stooped with medication, if you still enjoy eating it.

 

[Christine]

My DD gets hives when she ate strawberries, and oddly, very rarely when we eat out. And no strawberries does she eat when we eat out. She takes Benadryl, and the hives disappear in about 20 or so minutes. She gets them mostly on her arms and legs. Not that oral reaction either. Just an allergic reaction.

I hope whatever is triggering your hives can be stooped with medication, if you still enjoy eating it.

I doubt I'll ever touch it again. I just want these hives to STOP. They are freaking me out a bit. I thought the one day would be the end of it.

 

[sibesx2]

My adult daughter had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic she took and had hives off and on for over 2 weeks. They did seem to lessen as time went on but it having hives is scary!

 

[Moliphino]

Okay. I think I may have had Crenshaw melon at one time. I love melons and eat them a lot during the summer.

Let us know what you figure out. I am prone to skin rashes, hives and itchiness and know how perplexing it can be. I grow tomatoes in the summer and can get hives from touching the plants although the fruit itself doesn’t really seem to bother me—I am careful not to eat too much at one time though. And walnuts and pineapple will make the inside of my mouth feel kind of raw. I avoid walnuts and only eat pineapple in small amounts. But a few times I’ve developed hives and never figured it out.

With pineapple that's probably the bromelain, not any sort of allergy. It's normal and harmless, though it does make your mouth raw for a while.

 

[SirDuff]

This is a total long shot (and very likely totally wrong), but...

It seems that all of your "hives" came when you/your skin was hot/clammy. I have dermographism (aka skin writing disease aka my party trick) and it is definitely exacerbated by those sorts of conditions. Mine started suddenly (actually while I was doing a practicum (I was in high school) in an ontogenetics lab which freaked out the lead scientist and ended up with me in the ER to make sure I wasn't reacting to any of the chemicals).

Anyway, it's not an allergy exactly (though it is raised histamine levels), but you end up with wheel-and-flare effects when your skin is scratched (even fairly lightly on bad days).

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dermatographia/symptoms-causes/syc-20371411
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/dermographism/
Just a thought that it might be more systematic than an allergy, given the length of time with hives coming and going, especially.

 

[Christine]

This is a total long shot (and very likely totally wrong), but...

It seems that all of your "hives" came when you/your skin was hot/clammy. I have dermographism (aka skin writing disease aka my party trick) and it is definitely exacerbated by those sorts of conditions. Mine started suddenly (actually while I was doing a practicum (I was in high school) in an ontogenetics lab which freaked out the lead scientist and ended up with me in the ER to make sure I wasn't reacting to any of the chemicals).

Anyway, it's not an allergy exactly (though it is raised histamine levels), but you end up with wheel-and-flare effects when your skin is scratched (even fairly lightly on bad days).

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dermatographia/symptoms-causes/syc-20371411
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/dermographism/
Just a thought that it might be more systematic than an allergy, given the length of time with hives coming and going, especially.

Well, not such a long shot. I have a slight case of dermographism. By that, I mean you can't actually write letters or induce wheals when "skin writing" but I definitely get some sort of reaction to things on my skin. I have times where it's non-existent, and other times where it's worse. I didn't want to add that to the mix of my original post because it's all just too much. But I do think that something caused this to flare and it's more than just dermographism at this point. I had some significant hiving on my legs last night that was gone in a few hours and seems way more than what I get normally with pressure. I'm going to switch over to my phone here in a minute and post a picture.