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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Intermittent Spreading Itchy Rashes And Swelling Of Lips And Hands?

Hi, i have been suffering a severe allergic reaction to a mystery source for the last 3 days. I have a very itchy rash thats been spreading and appearing on and off in different places. This morning i woke to find that my lips and hands had swelled right up. I'm a bit concerned that this could turn into anaphylaxis? and what can i do to treat the symptoms? thank you
Tue, 12 Aug 2014
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Allergist and Immunologist 's  Response
Hello.

Thank you for asking at HCM.

I went through your history and understand your concern.

I would like to make following suggestions to you in reply to your queries:

1. As your symptoms are for last 3 days, I would first think of allergy and infections (viral or parasitic) as causes.

I treat my such patients with antihistamine like cetirizine/hydroxyzine and montelukast for 3-5 days.

I also prescribe course of anti-parasitic drugs if intestinal worms is a possibility.

2. Common foods causing such symptoms are milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, fish, shellfish and some fruits/vegetables. Sometimes cheese, preservatives/colors in packed foods can also cause such reactions. Please try to correlate your symptoms with intake of these foods to identify the food that may have caused you allergy.

3. Antibiotics and pain killers can also cause such symptoms. So if you are currently taking any, please consult and discuss with your physician.

4. I can understand your concern about anaphylaxis. But unfortunately it is not predictable.

From your symptoms, at present I think it's only urticaria and angioedema. However, a severe reaction may result in anaphylaxis.

Shoulg you have any symptom like - dizziness, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, breathing difficulty, suffocation, throat constriction, feeling of losing posture, etc - these symptoms may suggest anaphylaxis. Please consult your physician immediately in such case.

5. If you don't have any of above symptoms, you may have simply urticaria and angioedema. In that case, I would treat with montelukast and an antihistamine like cetirizine/hydroxyzine for 3-5 days as mentioned above.

Hope above suggestions will be helpful to you.

Should you have any further query, please feel free to ask at HCM.

Wish you the best of the health.

Thank you & Regards.
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What Causes Intermittent Spreading Itchy Rashes And Swelling Of Lips And Hands?

Hello. Thank you for asking at HCM. I went through your history and understand your concern. I would like to make following suggestions to you in reply to your queries: 1. As your symptoms are for last 3 days, I would first think of allergy and infections (viral or parasitic) as causes. I treat my such patients with antihistamine like cetirizine/hydroxyzine and montelukast for 3-5 days. I also prescribe course of anti-parasitic drugs if intestinal worms is a possibility. 2. Common foods causing such symptoms are milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, fish, shellfish and some fruits/vegetables. Sometimes cheese, preservatives/colors in packed foods can also cause such reactions. Please try to correlate your symptoms with intake of these foods to identify the food that may have caused you allergy. 3. Antibiotics and pain killers can also cause such symptoms. So if you are currently taking any, please consult and discuss with your physician. 4. I can understand your concern about anaphylaxis. But unfortunately it is not predictable. From your symptoms, at present I think it s only urticaria and angioedema. However, a severe reaction may result in anaphylaxis. Shoulg you have any symptom like - dizziness, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, breathing difficulty, suffocation, throat constriction, feeling of losing posture, etc - these symptoms may suggest anaphylaxis. Please consult your physician immediately in such case. 5. If you don t have any of above symptoms, you may have simply urticaria and angioedema. In that case, I would treat with montelukast and an antihistamine like cetirizine/hydroxyzine for 3-5 days as mentioned above. Hope above suggestions will be helpful to you. Should you have any further query, please feel free to ask at HCM. Wish you the best of the health. Thank you & Regards.