Could I Have Encountered an Allergen? 30-Year-Old Female
I'm a 30-year-old woman with known allergies to skimmed milk, shellfish, mushrooms, and penicillin. I have never required an epinephrine auto-injector because my shellfish reactions have never been serious enough to necessitate one during hospital visits. I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in my childhood and am currently undergoing examinations for ankylosing spondylitis. My medications include daily doses of omeprazole and amitriptyline, along with codeine and fexofenadine that I use as needed. Earlier today, I consumed some frozen yogurt, a treat I've enjoyed many times without any adverse reactions. However, these particular yogurts were stored next to a bag of imitation prawns I had bought last week. Unbeknownst to me, the prawns contained crab and lobster, which I only discovered after the fact. I offered the prawn bag to a friend who hasn't picked it up yet, and it remains sealed in the original packaging. Now, I find myself experiencing significant itching, primarily on the left side of my face, which has persisted for about eight hours. I've taken my prescribed fexofenadine along with some over-the-counter cetirizine, yet there's no swelling in my mouth or throat, nor do I have hoarseness—my symptoms are confined to just the left side of my face. I reached out to an out-of-hours healthcare service for advice; they suggested I wait until 9 AM to consult with a pharmacist since it’s currently 11 PM.
Answers (1)
2/6/2026, 11:10:37 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing itching on one side of your face after consuming yogurt that may have been contaminated with allergens from imitation prawns. While it’s good that you’re not experiencing more severe symptoms like swelling, it’s important to assess your situation further given your known allergies.
Explanation:
Allergic reactions can occur in various ways, and itching can be a sign of an allergic response. The fact that you have a history of shellfish allergies raises concern that you might have inadvertently been exposed to allergens in the contaminated yogurt. However, since you are only experiencing localized itching without more severe reactions (like swelling or breathing difficulties), this could potentially be a milder allergic reaction or possibly an irritation rather than a full-blown allergic response.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on any changes in your symptoms. If the itching worsens, or if you develop any new symptoms like swelling, difficulty breathing, or widespread rash, seek immediate medical attention.
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Avoid Further Exposure: Ensure you don't consume any more of the yogurt and discard the prawn product you have. Since it is sealed, it’s best to keep it away from your other foods to prevent cross-contamination.
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Use Cold Compresses: Applying a cool compress to the itchy area on your face may help soothe the itching and reduce any irritation.
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Continue Antihistamines: Since you've already taken fexofenadine and cetirizine, an oral antihistamine is a good choice to manage itching; however, avoid taking more than the recommended doses.
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Consider a Follow-Up: In the morning, it would be prudent to consult with a pharmacist or healthcare professional, as they can help assess your risk and decide if any additional treatments or medications are required.
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Document Your Reaction: Keep a note of what you experienced, including amounts and any time frames, which can be useful for future assessments by a healthcare provider.
If your symptoms do escalate or you have persistent concerns, it would be wise to seek advice from a healthcare provider sooner rather than later. In the meantime, you’re doing well by monitoring your situation and avoiding further allergens.
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