Wellness

[Moonchilde]

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@x Hedge wrote:

@bosmamaa, Had any PET/CATscans recently?

I have semi-annual scans that require both drinking and IV injection of contrast material.

I have a delayed allergic reaction to the contrast material, about 10-14 days.

The itchy, tiny, bite looking marks are exactly as you describe, going on for months, and the skin in the rashy areas seems to become extremely fragile and scars with the slightest friction.

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That would be an iodine/shellfish allergy. It's possible to have this allergy (or others) suddenly appear in mid life when you havn't been allergic before.

[Desertdi]

Have you tried lysine and vitimin C supplements?  1,000 mg of each.    It helped me with a "mystery" rash similar to what you describe.

[bosmamaa]

Hedge I haven't ever had any scans but that is interesting info.

[x Hedge]

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@bosmamaa

Moonchilde wrote:

That would be an iodine/shellfish allergy.

Or not.

I made a point of not drawing that concluson in my earlier post because of the way it's dealt with once contrast material is identified by your medical providers as a possible cause of your rash.

I myself am not allergic to iodine or shelfish.

[Mz iMac]

"My derm just doesn't know what it is."

Then it's time to get a 2nd or possible a 3rd opinion.

[BExplorer]

I agree with other posters who suggested that's it's time for some testing to pinpoint the culprit.  As someone who has lived off and on with hives several years, I know how miserable that it is.  😕

I just want to throw another thought out there--I don't know if what you have is hives, but they can be caused by stress.  Stress was the cause of mine.  I hope yours is a simple allergy that you can easily avoid.

As much as I wanted to put on extra lotion to sooth the itching, overmoisturization only exacerbated the itching.  It seemed the hives needed to dry out. 

I hope you find some relief soon.  😊

[bosmamaa]

BExplorer, thanks for replying. I have been putting Aveeno on alot! I will stop that! I have wondered, my family too, if it could be stress as my dad passed away in August and we've had much stress in our family the last year. I hope your hives stay away permanently!!

[BExplorer]

@bosmamaa Are the welts worse in "fold" areas, such as the insides of elbows, backs of knees, etc?  If so, I would definitely stay away from overmoisturization as those are moist areas and that would suggest that moisture does aggravate the welts.  

I'm so sorry about the loss of your dad.  I have just recently began looking into relaxation techniques, and even started Yoga class last week.  I decided life is too short to be stressed and if I get that under control, I can be a better person, mother, etc.  I struggled with hives for over ten years, but have been virtually hive-free these last five years.  Now when I do get them, it's just a tiny patch that clears right up after my prescription cream dries them out. 

Best of lluck to you!  😊

[Moonchilde]

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@bosmamaa wrote:

BExplorer, thanks for replying. I have been putting Aveeno on alot! I will stop that! I have wondered, my family too, if it could be stress as my dad passed away in August and we've had much stress in our family the last year. I hope your hives stay away permanently!!

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If the rash is hive-like, it certainly *could* be stress/nerves. Ask your doctor about this.

[Moonchilde]

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@x Hedge wrote:

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@bosmamaa

@Moonchilde wrote:

That would be an iodine/shellfish allergy.

Or not.

I made a point of not drawing that concluson in my earlier post because of the way it's dealt with once contrast material is identified by your medical providers as a possible cause of your rash.

I myself am not allergic to iodine or shelfish.

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I am not familiar with radiologic contrast media that *isn't* iodine-containing, nor have I ever signed a release for the use of contrast that did not specifically ask about iodine and-or shellfish allergy up front. That's what they want to know - iodine, and/or shellfish (which naturally contains iodine) allergy.

It's possible to be allergic to other aspects of the contrast, but less likely the reaction would be a rash per se.