Exercise allergies

I forgot to take my allergy pill this am. I started breaking out in hives and started itching during my outdoor run. I've had this happen a few times before.

Has anyone ever experienced this and what do you do?

Replies

  • LyraVega02
    LyraVega02 Posts: 17 Member
    When it happens to me, I take a couple Benadryl and just wait it out, preferably in the shower. My throat tightens until I wheeze, my face swells, and my nose starts running like crazy, which is why the shower comes in handy.
    I haven't been to see the allergist yet, but as far as I can tell, I have some trigger foods that I guess I'm slightly allergic to, and when my heart gets pumping during exercise, I get a reaction. I can tell when it's about to happen these days, and I stop exercising immediately, because it seems like it gets worse each time. I have also had a reaction from eating a peach without exercising, and I have never been allergic to peaches. The Internet tells me that it could be Oral Allergy Syndrome, basically the peach and some other fruits can be coated in pollen and cause a reaction once it gets inside your body. So maybe the pollen from your outdoor run affected you more than usual because the exercise sped it through your system? I'm obviously not a doctor :)
    You might want to check your diary to see if there are foods that are common to the days it happens and try to avoid those before exercising. Good luck!
  • lee3978
    lee3978 Posts: 274
    Hmm thanks for responding.

    I found it to be what you are speaking of. I haven't had it happen in about a year and half.
    The first time I laid down at the park and cried. I was soo miserable. I thought the trigger was wine possibly.
    I have to think back to yesterday besides eggs, burger patty and some nuts were most of what I ate yesterday. Could have been the nuts?

    I don't know. I'll take the benadryl before i go bed like I have before runs the next day. Should I carry an epi pen like the article below?


    What is Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis?

    Exercise-induced anaphylaxis (EIA) is a form of chronic hives that is caused by exercise. However, people can also experience symptoms of a more severe allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis. Other than hives, people with EIA may have breathing difficulties (shortness of breath, wheezing), circulatory problems (lightheadedness, low blood pressure) and gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea).
    As its name implies, EIA occurs as a result of exercise. Exercise can be of any form, including jogging, tennis, swimming, walking, or even strenuous chores such as shoveling snow. Symptoms may start as tiredness, warmth, itching and redness, usually within a few minutes of starting exercise. If exercise continues, hives begin to occur, and may include swelling of the face, lips, eyes and throat (angioedema), and ultimately anaphylaxis.

    Cholinergic urticaria is similar to EIA in that exercise, or anything that increases body temperature, triggers hives. However, in EIA, only exercise triggers symptoms, while other increases in body temperature, such as hot showers, will not.

    What Causes Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis?

    Like other types of chronic urticaria, EIA's cause is unknown. However, many people have another trigger that, along with exercise, causes the symptoms. These triggers include various medications, a variety of foods, alcohol, cold weather, and menstruation. Typically, either exercise or the specific trigger alone will not cause symptoms. But, if the person is exposed to the trigger and exercise, then symptoms of EIA may occur.
    Medications that have reported to cause EIA include aspirin, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is possible that any medication may trigger EIA when taken before exercising.

    A variety of foods, when eaten 24 hours prior to exercising, may cause EIA. However, a person may be able to eat these foods without symptoms if they do not exercise. A long list of foods have been associated with EIA, including cereal grains, seafood, nuts, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and alcohol. Some people with EIA associated with eating, but there is no specific food that triggers the symptoms.

    How is Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis Diagnosed?

    Typically, the diagnosis of EIA is based on a person’s history of symptoms that occur only with exercise. If symptoms occur outside of exercise, such as with any increase in body temperature, it is more likely that cholinergic urticaria is the reason for the symptoms.
    It is not usually necessary to attempt to trigger symptoms of EIA with having a person exercise under medical supervision. This may be required in special circumstances if the diagnosis is in question. Only a physician skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis should perform such a test under close medical supervision, with equipment immediately available to treat a potentially life-threatening reaction.

    Once a diagnosis of EIA is made, it is important to assess for other triggers as previously mentioned. This may include allergy testing to a variety of foods. A negative skin test to a particular food nearly rules out the possibility of that food as the cause of the EIA. A positive food skin test, especially to a food that was eaten within 24 hours before the person experienced symptoms, may represent the food that caused the reaction.

    How is Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis Treated?

    Immediate symptoms of EIA should be treated in much the same way as anaphylaxis from any cause (such as from a food or insect sting allergy). This may require the use of injectable epinephrine, such as with an Epi-Pen or Twin-Ject device.
    Prevention of EIA symptoms is the most important goal of treatment. People with EIA should avoid exercising alone, avoid exercising in cold weather, only exercise on an empty stomach, and should avoid eating any causative food (as determined by skin testing) for at least 24 hours before exercise. In addition, avoidance of NSAIDs and alcoholic beverages for 24 hours prior to exercise is also advised. It may be important for women to avoid exercising during their menstrual period.

    It would be reasonable for a person with EIA to carry an Epi-Pen and wear a Medic-Alert bracelet describing their medical condition and potential need for injectable epinephrine. An exercising buddy, one who is familiar with how to recognize and treat the person’s EIA, would be ideal.
  • sn_etuk
    sn_etuk Posts: 14 Member
    Hi, I've had (and still have a little) horrible hives for the past few weeks. I went to the doctor, who just told me that it happens sometimes for no reason really, or stress, or seasonal allergies, whatever, and to take Benadryl or Atarax, which is a prescription antihistimine. While I haven't been able to determine the trigger, I have determined that exercise seems to make it worse. The sweaty clothes and the extra body heat seem to make the itching worse. I've found that taking Claritin twice per day (yes, I know, I'm only supposed to take it once) helps greatly. I took Benadryl to immediately treat the symptoms, and Claritin twice daily as well. After a few days, maybe a week on Claritin twice per day I was able to stop taking the Benadryl, and the symptoms have remained suppressed. Now, as long as the symptoms remain suppressed, I will wean back to once per day with Claritin. Just my strategy. Good luck.
  • georgina1970
    georgina1970 Posts: 333 Member
    Hi to you both above,
    Please go see your doctor and get a referral to an Allergy Specialist. These are not normal responses to exercise, and could be life threatening. Especially if you are experiencing wheese, swelling and itching of your airways. With these symptoms it is recommended you carry an Epipen.
    A concerned Health Proffessional.
  • raneylfrick
    raneylfrick Posts: 380 Member
    Do you have a prescription for an Epi-Pen?? That's the only way you'd be able to have one. If you are prescribed one, take it with you anywhere you go! I've been in a couple nasty situations and now have it with me 24/7! Be safe!!
  • lee3978
    lee3978 Posts: 274
    No I was thinking about calling to see how much an allergist specialist would be. I used to go when I had insurance and I'm allergic to like 97% of all molds and allergens. I know you have to have a script because my boyfriend's mom's boyfriend has one.
  • lee3978
    lee3978 Posts: 274
    OH and thanks everyone for your kind input. It really helps!