iheartcats Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 I have pizza once in a while from local places who can verify ingredients, and I always say nut allergy because of a reaction I had to cashews (and I believe almonds once).Tonight I noticed red hives on my chest and a few on my arms while eating cheese pizza. I was going to skip the Benadryl (last time I had to take it it made my POTS worse for a day or two, very Tachy, but in part I guess that could be from the hives, too), but I didn't want the hives or reaction to progress.I take Allegra every AM, but my PCP said I should take one Benadryl for a hive outbreak 'just in case' and make sure symptoms subside.Any ideas what could've caused the reaction? I eat bread, tomato sauce, cheese, etc without issue. I verified they use no nuts and they were familiar with nut allergies.As for the Benadryl - any way to try to 'beat the game' so I don't have worse POTS/Tachy later/tomorrow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flop Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Drink loads of water and rest. The POTS flare is more likely to be a result of the histamine release (causes vasodilatation) rather than the benadryl.Hope you're feeling better soon,Flop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iheartcats Posted December 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Drink loads of water and rest. The POTS flare is more likely to be a result of the histamine release (causes vasodilatation) rather than the benadryl.Hope you're feeling better soon,FlopThank you! I'll work on staying extra hydrated (I always wondered if it was the Benadryl making my mouth dry!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliegee Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Cat Lady-No real advice. I just want to say that I can relate. There is no rhyme or reason to my hive outbreaks either. I recently had a full blown anaphylactic episode after I ate a half a bag of pistachios. I broke out in systemic hives, then my throat swelled. My masto specialist did RAST testing for pistachios- no allergy. Very frustrating!Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iheartcats Posted December 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Cat Lady-No real advice. I just want to say that I can relate. There is no rhyme or reason to my hive outbreaks either. I recently had a full blown anaphylactic episode after I ate a half a bag of pistachios. I broke out in systemic hives, then my throat swelled. My masto specialist did RAST testing for pistachios- no allergy. Very frustrating!JulieIsn't it frustrating! I had a RAST for peanuts (it was negative, but haven't had an outright flare-up from them...). So it'd be great to know what's causing these.Do you take a Benadryl right away to stop your anaphylactic episode? I've had hives, issues, stomach probelms, etc. which is said to be an anaphylactic episode (and slight breathing issues, but no throat swelling thank goodness). I never know how bad these will go. I'm being allergy tested in January so we'll see! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramakentesh Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 The nitrates in the meat on pizza can sometimes set off a POTS crash for me. Actually its one of the only foods I can count on kicking either a migraine or a potsie period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firewatcher Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Cat Lady,How often are you taking the Benadryl after your reactions? My son's allergist and pediatrician have both said that it needs to be given every four hours for 24 hours since the injested allergen has not yet left your system. If you are only taking one dose of benadryl, the rebound ANS reaction might just be the allergic reaction coming back. Or, it could be a rebound of your CNS kicking back in after being slowed down by the benadryl. I notice rebound tachycardia on the second morning of not taking Inderal (I can't take it for 24 hours within getting my allergy shots.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMouse Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 The pizza shop may not have been aware of any cross contamination--the mill that made the flour could have also milled nuts somewhere too, or there may have been residue of one of your allergens in the oven, or along the prep line where your pizza was assembled.Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iheartcats Posted December 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2008 Cat Lady,How often are you taking the Benadryl after your reactions? My son's allergist and pediatrician have both said that it needs to be given every four hours for 24 hours since the injested allergen has not yet left your system. If you are only taking one dose of benadryl, the rebound ANS reaction might just be the allergic reaction coming back. Or, it could be a rebound of your CNS kicking back in after being slowed down by the benadryl. I notice rebound tachycardia on the second morning of not taking Inderal (I can't take it for 24 hours within getting my allergy shots.)I was told to take one Benadryl, and to take another if hives came back (otherwise Allegra was 'covering it.').Hmmmm. I guess it could be a mild reaction returning. Either way, I hate these severe reactions because whether it's the Benadryl, allergic reaction, or whatever it's horrid the next day.I take Xanax on occasion (few times a month) and that's a CNS depressant and I do not get rebound Tachy. So it may not be the Benadryl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.