Seasonal allergies causing a rash??

[Pixiedust34]

I've had a Mystery Rash since last Sunday and I saw my doctor on Thursday about it. We both think it is likely allergy-related, and she suggested that my annual seasonal allergies could be severe enough for my skin to break out during allergy season. Is this common? Is anyone familiar with run-of-the-mill seasonal allergies causing a rash (mainly on arms and legs) during allergy season?

For the record, I haven't used any new soaps, lotions, shampoos, medications, laundry products, etc. I didn't have any new or unusual foods.

If the rash doesn't go away with zyrtec, I'm going to see a dermatologist next. I hope it goes away soon.

 

[asta]

I have a condition where my body produces too much histamine. My legs get particularly itchy if I go for long walks without taking an antihistamine. My understanding is that my body just goes into overdrive and produces too much histamine. The only thing is that my doctors don't think that it is neccessarily an alergic reaction but they have never really explained why it happens. I just have to stay on an antihistamine year round.

 

[Momvic5]

Years ago, my ds14 would break out in a rash at the beginning of every spring. It was odd though...it was only around his hair line and when he went out in the sun and got hot, it would swell and become very inflamed. His head would inch terribly - make you go crazy kind of itch. It so bad for a while that he had to sit with a cool towel wrapped around his head after recess and gym class at school. This would happen about the time when you could see pollen on cars and other outdoor things. He seems to have outgrown it because it has not happened in about 4 years. The Dr. just assumed it was allergy related.

 

[anotherdisneygal]

That happens to my younger son - we bathe him in oatmeal (Aveeno) to help it heal quicker.

 

[Best Aunt]

For the record, I haven't used any new soaps, lotions, shampoos, medications, laundry products, etc. I didn't have any new or unusual foods.

Sometimes companies change the formula of a product and you don't realize it.

 

[Mary•Poppins]

Sometimes companies change the formula of a product and you don't realize it.

You might want to consider this. I got a REALLY bad rash right after the birth of my second son. Our lovely babysitter got me a pampering present that had a beautifully scented lotion in the basket. I used the lotion for about a week ... and was fine ... UNTIL day 8!!!! I broke out in the nastiest rash you have ever seen ... and it was mainly on my arms and legs since these are the driest parts of my body and I would slather the lotion on.

Well after seeing my doctor ... and having to start taking steriods, quit breastfeeding, still take care of a newborn and 18 month old, and then try not to lose my mind by not scratching myself to death I got better.

Whew ... I am glad that time is over ...(can you tell ) Hope this helps!

 

[disfan07]

Its a result of too much histamine production in your system. That's essentially what allergies are which is why you take an anithistamine.

I have allergies, asthma adn eczema. My eczema is basically under control with immunosuppresents until my allergies kick in and than it flares because of the histmaine production.

The last time I had a major flare 2 weeks ago, my dermatologist ran an Immunoglobulin test to see if my IgE levels had spiked and they had which meant that the skin problems were becasue of my allergies. As soo as I upped my dose of zyrtec to 20mg per day my IgE levels went back down adn my eczema got better

 

[Pixiedust34]

Thanks, everyone. This is likely allergy related, but after a few days on Zyrtec I'm not doing any better yet. The dr. sounded certain it's allergy related, too. If it isn't allergy related, we're completely clueless.

I'm going to give the allergy med a full week to kick in as the dr. suggested, but if I'm not better by Friday I'll have to call the dr. again. I know that getting in to see the dermatologist can take months. I already have an appt. in June but if the rash (heaven forbid!) doesn't go away I hope they can get me in sooner.

It could be that I developed a new allergy to an old product, or maybe one of the old products changed formulas.

My legs also get itchy when I do a lot of walking, and I didn't realize that was a histamine issue too. I also get that blotchy sun rash on my legs every time we go to WDW.

I hope there's an improvement soon.

 

[missypie]

I thought I was getting hives from seasonal allegies. I finally went to an allergist and she said it was hypo-thyroid. She ordered blood work and she had nailed the diagnosis - I love that woman!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Sometimes companies change the formula of a product and you don't realize it.

Yep, this is what I was thinking. I don't get rashes but I get migraines. Sometimes a company will change something subtle and not announce it as 'new and improved'. Maybe they don't notice the change but my brain sure does. Maybe you could find some unscented/different products to use for a while and see if that gives your body a chance to recover, ALL and DOWNEY have unscented lines now and so do soaps and shampoos (baby shampoo). Also, Benedryl does make a topical cream so I would give that a try too. Good luck

 

[Pixiedust34]

An update---my rash is still there and it's getting no better. It's so itchy! I know it's just a rash, but it affects everything in that I can't be in the sun or get overheated and the itch is hard to ignore.

It hasn't been a full week of Zyrtec yet, but I called the dermatologist today since it can take months to be seen and I'm showing no sign of improving. I already have a June 1st appointment, but I was able to get bumped up to 4/23, the soonest they can take me. It's good that I'm an established patient because that may have helped with getting my June appt. moved forward. I know that the dermatologist I'm seeing isn't even taking new patients.

I grabbed that 4/23 appointment and will hope that the dermatologist can guess what this is and/or start testing for issues that may be causing the rash.

My primary care dr. recommended calamine lotion if the itch factor gets bad, and I bought some today. Wish me pixie dust in getting rid of the rash!

 

[ccgirl]

Exactly what Asta said. Both myself and my children produce too much histamine with allergies. Benadryl seems to help. Have never had Zyrtec. Try Benadryl and see if that helps. Good luck!

 

[castmemberb4]

I've gotten a rash on the back of my neck this time of year for the last three years. Thought it was my psoriasis, now that I've read all of these post I realize it must be psoriasis caused by seasonal allergies as I been taking Claritin for the last week and the rash has gone away.
Thanks Guys !!!
Now I know what to do next year !

 

[3Leafs]

Just got back from the doctors because of the rash under my eyes.. She said for me to take benedryl at night and gave me some cream to help and she said it was allergies.. I feel for you it really stinks..