Possible Rash or Hives?
A 20-year-old female, standing 5'4", only uses an inhaler (Symbicort) daily for Chronic Bronchitis. She has a medical history that includes Lyme disease and is currently scheduled for surgery to remove a breast tumor. Her allergies include a severe reaction to Brazil nuts (anaphylaxis), skin sensitivities to avocados, shellfish, various fragrances, and Tide detergent. Yesterday after returning from work, I noticed tiny red spots all over my wrist, resembling pinpricks. They were slightly itchy and raised. Given my numerous skin allergies, I felt alarmed as they resembled a rash from one of my daycare students, which her parents have neglected to have examined; she’s been suffering from it for several months. The spots traveled up my arm, prompting me to take Benadryl, after which they disappeared. This rash looked distinctly different from my typical hives and hasn’t reappeared. I don’t believe I interacted with anything that I’m allergic to, yet avocado oil appears in numerous products, along with many fragrances. Do you think this could have simply been hives, or might it be indicative of something else?
Answers (1)
3/26/2025, 7:40:38 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you experienced an episode of an allergic reaction, possibly hives, which can occur due to various triggers. Given your known allergies and recent exposure concerns, this could be linked to contact with a potential allergen, even if you weren't aware of it at the time.
Explanation:
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Hives and Rashes: Hives are raised, itchy welts that can appear as a reaction to allergens. Your symptoms—tiny red spots that were itchy and raised—align with hives, even though you felt they looked different from what you typically experience.
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Possible Triggers: Since you have many skin sensitivities, including to fragrances and possibly avocado oil, an irritant or allergen from a product (such as lotion, soap, or laundry detergent) could have caused this reaction.
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Transient Nature: The fact that the spots disappeared after taking Benadryl suggests they were likely hives, which can occur after exposure to an allergen.
Next Steps:
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Monitor for Recurrence: Keep a close eye on your skin for any future rashes or hives. Noting the circumstances surrounding any outbreak (products used, activities, etc.) can help identify triggers.
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Identify and Avoid Triggers: Since you're sensitive to several allergens, try to minimize exposure to known irritants and consider switching to hypoallergenic skincare and laundry products.
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Keep Antihistamines Accessible: Continue to keep Benadryl or another antihistamine available in case of future allergic reactions, especially given your history of severe reactions to allergies.
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Notify Your Healthcare Provider: While it may not require immediate medical attention, inform your healthcare provider about this episode, especially before your upcoming surgery. They should be aware of your allergies and any recent reactions.
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Allergy Testing Consideration: If you frequently experience unexplained rashes or hives, you might want to discuss with a healthcare provider the possibility of allergy testing to identify undetected sensitivities.
Your proactive approach in addressing this and taking Benadryl is commendable. If you notice any new significant symptoms, or if the rash does return and worsens, it would be wise to seek further evaluation.
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