Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Itchy Red Marks On Neck And Hands
Question: Hello,
My boyfriend is suffering from allergies when he consumes some food items. At first we thought its because of peanuts , eggs and green tea. But now a days the allergies have become severe and they are coming very often even if he takes the regular food items. I was hoping I could get an answer here. And the allergic reactions form red marks on the skin like a bee bite and sometimes are itchy. Mostly the marks are around neck and on hands. Please help.
Thanks
My boyfriend is suffering from allergies when he consumes some food items. At first we thought its because of peanuts , eggs and green tea. But now a days the allergies have become severe and they are coming very often even if he takes the regular food items. I was hoping I could get an answer here. And the allergic reactions form red marks on the skin like a bee bite and sometimes are itchy. Mostly the marks are around neck and on hands. Please help.
Thanks
Brief Answer:
If there are multiple unknown food reactions, allergy testing may help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I am sorry your boyfriend is reacting to foods and it isn't clear what is setting him off.
The red marks you are describing, if they are irregularly shaped raised wheals, are probably hives (urticaria).
The XXXXXXX College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology states that while any food can cause an allergic reaction, 8 types of food are responsible for about 90 percent of all reactions. They are:
Eggs
Milk
Peanuts (which are legumes, not nuts)
Tree nuts (almonds, pecans, cashews, etc)
Fish
Shellfish
Wheat
Soy
Certain seeds, including sesame and mustard seeds (the main ingredient in the condiment mustard), also are common food allergy triggers and considered a major allergen in some countries.
Your boyfriend can try to eliminate these foods for a few weeks and then reintroduce one at a time to see if it is a problem. But if he does this, he should have an EpiPen on hand.
Safest way would be for him to see an allergist for allergy testing to see if the concerning foods can be identified.
Until he gets in to see an allergist, he can take Zyrtec (ceterizine) 10 mg twice a day and should probably have an Epi Pen available in case the reaction escalates.
By escalating, I mean mouth swelling, difficulty breathing, wheezing, stomach cramps, fainting, hives all over.
In the situation of difficulty breathing or fainting should occur, you should use the Epi Pen and then get him to an ER.
He should discontinue the Zytec for 1-2 days prior to seeing the allergist as it can interfere with the results of allergy testing. When he makes his appointment he can ask if the allergist wants him off antihistamines for a certain length of time before the visit.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
If there are multiple unknown food reactions, allergy testing may help.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
I am sorry your boyfriend is reacting to foods and it isn't clear what is setting him off.
The red marks you are describing, if they are irregularly shaped raised wheals, are probably hives (urticaria).
The XXXXXXX College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology states that while any food can cause an allergic reaction, 8 types of food are responsible for about 90 percent of all reactions. They are:
Eggs
Milk
Peanuts (which are legumes, not nuts)
Tree nuts (almonds, pecans, cashews, etc)
Fish
Shellfish
Wheat
Soy
Certain seeds, including sesame and mustard seeds (the main ingredient in the condiment mustard), also are common food allergy triggers and considered a major allergen in some countries.
Your boyfriend can try to eliminate these foods for a few weeks and then reintroduce one at a time to see if it is a problem. But if he does this, he should have an EpiPen on hand.
Safest way would be for him to see an allergist for allergy testing to see if the concerning foods can be identified.
Until he gets in to see an allergist, he can take Zyrtec (ceterizine) 10 mg twice a day and should probably have an Epi Pen available in case the reaction escalates.
By escalating, I mean mouth swelling, difficulty breathing, wheezing, stomach cramps, fainting, hives all over.
In the situation of difficulty breathing or fainting should occur, you should use the Epi Pen and then get him to an ER.
He should discontinue the Zytec for 1-2 days prior to seeing the allergist as it can interfere with the results of allergy testing. When he makes his appointment he can ask if the allergist wants him off antihistamines for a certain length of time before the visit.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
