Experiencing Hives and Redness After a Run Post-Vaccine: Should I Be Worried?
I’m a 16-year-old male, standing at 5'9" and weighing 145 pounds, living in the USA. I’ve been part of my high school cross country team for two years now. Today, after completing a 55-minute run at a steady aerobic pace with my teammates, I noticed I was sweatier than usual. Shortly thereafter, I began to experience itchiness in my armpit area. Just five minutes later, I broke out in hives—my skin was bright red, my lips had a purple tint, and my eyes and lips were noticeably swollen. This was an unprecedented reaction for me. Despite staying active, my heart rate remained elevated for over an hour before it gradually returned to normal resting levels. I didn’t have any changes in my diet or daily routine that would account for this, as everything I consumed today is something I'm accustomed to. While I do have a known allergy to tree nuts, I can confidently say that I did not come into contact with any of them today. The only two factors that I can think of that may have contributed to this reaction are: 1. I received a meningitis vaccine booster recommended by the CDC during a doctor’s appointment just about three hours before my run. This could possibly be the cause, although I had a smooth experience with the first dose approximately five years ago, and I wasn’t engaging in such vigorous activity back then. 2. I am currently on Accutane for severe hormonal acne, taking a daily dosage of 20mg since late June. I’ve been advised to maintain this lower dose due to my intensive training and the potential risk of developing joint issues, as well as pre-existing high cholesterol that the medication might exacerbate. The hives took roughly three hours to fully fade, and now I feel completely back to normal. Could anyone provide insights into what might have caused this? Should I consider modifying my training regimen as a precautionary measure? While this isn’t an urgent matter, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Answers (1)
8/16/2025, 5:20:54 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you experienced a significant allergic reaction, possibly triggered by a combination of factors, including your recent vaccine and your current medication. It’s understandable to be concerned about this unusual response, especially since you’ve been active without any similar reactions in the past.
Explanation
Hives and swelling can occur due to allergic reactions, which may be caused by various triggers, including medications, vaccines, or environmental factors. Your rapid onset of hives, redness, and swelling around the lips and eyes shortly after a strenuous run could suggest either an allergic reaction or a form of exercise-induced urticaria (hives triggered by physical activity). Given that you recently received a meningitis vaccine, it’s possible that your immune system reacted to the vaccine, even if you didn't have issues with previous doses.
The fact that the symptoms resolved after a few hours is reassuring; however, the presence of the purple tint on your lips could indicate that medical attention is warranted in the future if similar symptoms occur. Accutane can also contribute to skin sensitivity, which might have played a role in your reaction.
Next Steps
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a journal of any future reactions you experience during or after runs, noting factors like diet, weather, exercise intensity, and any medication taken prior.
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Hydration and Cool Down: Make sure to hydrate adequately before, during, and after your runs. A proper cool-down period can help your body adjust after intense exercise.
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Modify Training Temporarily: For now, it might be wise to take a brief rest from high-intensity training until you can see if symptoms reoccur. Consider participating in less strenuous activities while monitoring how your body responds.
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Consultation Preparation: If these reactions happen again, especially with similar severity, consider discussing them with a healthcare professional. They might want to assess your training regimen, medication, or potentially refer you for allergy testing.
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Emergency Plan: Familiarize yourself with signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the throat. If these occur, know to seek immediate medical help.
Please ensure you take note of how you feel in future training sessions and consider discussing your reactions with a healthcare provider to gain further insights into your specific situation. Your health and safety are very important!
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