Allergic reaction?

adwilliams03
adwilliams03 Posts: 147 Member
in Food and Nutrition
So last week I started blending my own protein drinks. Whey powder with blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and spinach, and variations of those. Yesterday when I had an itch I noticed that I have a small skin rash on the inside of my elbow. It could be totally unrelated, I don't know. But I'm not used to having ANY of those foods in my diet (though I have no allergy to milk or milk products, so I don't think it's the whey powder). I've had blueberry muffins and blueberry yogurt over the years, though not on a regular basis. Same with raspberries and strawberries. I've had spinach in other foods, too. I really have no idea where to go from here, but I am scared to make another protein drink in case it IS related. I don't want to stop breathing!

Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated. :/

Replies

  • janessanessa
    janessanessa Posts: 299 Member
    I don't think an allergic reaction to any of these foods would be confined to a small patch in such a small area. I would expect welts, rash on trunk/arms/legs/face.....itching/burning in the mouth, the typical food allergies.

    I also wouldn't expect you to stop breathing from an allergy....swollen throat, congestion etc. would be more typical of that sort of anaphylaxis, and if you're that allergic, you would have had a reaction to it sooner from the other foods you've at that have contained those ingredients.

    So....I doubt it is related. If it spreads though, or worsens, I would recommend seeing a doctor.

    Sounds like eczema or dry skin perhaps?
  • Ladyinwaiting4
    Ladyinwaiting4 Posts: 202 Member
    can it be the brand of the whey protein product? if the other things don't cause that reaction I would not bother using that protein powder and try something else. when I do smoothies I use coconut milk use a minimual amount it could be a specfic ingredient in the whey products you can't handle. for example I had a very sever allergic reaction to total cereal the doctor told me that my allergy was caused from the vitamins in the cereal and not necessairly the wheat from the cereal.
  • dsgoingtodoit
    dsgoingtodoit Posts: 803 Member
    Things I would consider: Did you switch to soy, rice, almond, or any other "milk" to make your drinks?
    Did you get a new powder?
    Are you prone to getting rash's? If so - did you get a new blouse or such that you might be allergic to?
    Did you do some gardening?
    If you notice it is getting worse...streaking or so forth - definitely go have it looked at. Otherwise, not worth not drinking your protein shakes in my opinion. If you had an asthma attack, hives overa large portion of your body...or some extreme reaction..maybe.... again - in my opinion.

    I am not a doctor, nurse, PA or anything of the sort.
    So - please seek medical help if you think there is more to it.
  • LeenaRuns
    LeenaRuns Posts: 1,309 Member
    If you're having a skin raction to ingested food, chances are the allergy isn't anaphylactic. My son is allergic to caesin (one of the proteins in milk) and he throws up and gets scaley red rashes on his legs and belly, but that's it. Go to an allergist and get tested!
  • santje00
    santje00 Posts: 95 Member
    First of all let me reassure you that a lot of people get to deal with allergies. I am allergic to pretty much anything when I really start thinking about it. Sometimes it's a bit hard to see what product is causing your allergic reaction. It could very well be a contact allergic reaction instead of a food allergy. I would suggest talking to your doctor though, and get a thorough allergy test done. Anyway, with allergies you should never panic. It could very well be irritated skin by sweating, etc... But do stop by the doctors and see if they can find the cause of it :)
  • ptbodacious
    ptbodacious Posts: 65 Member
    How often do you have the protein shakes? I had never had food allergies or intolerances prior to last summer, but have now developed a definite sensitivity (expressed as itchy skin rashes) to strawberries, grapes and large amounts of raspberries. Makes me quite cranky to have to eliminate those particular foods....
  • _kannnd
    _kannnd Posts: 247 Member
    Does it go away, or is it staying?

    When I have an allergic reaction to a food, I get a small rash on one part of my body...usually my face and neck. It'll go away with time or if I take Benadryl. If the rash is staying, it's probably not an allergy. If it keeps bothering you, I would suggest going to see your doctor.
  • patrnbabe
    patrnbabe Posts: 42
    try eating some of each product individually. It's the only way to rule out one or the other w/o going to a specialist & doing subdermal testing. Give yourself a couple days rest between testing each item. When you do your home "testing" eat that one item, and ONLY that item, in a fair sized portion. Wait several hours for any reaction before eating anything else. Keep track of what time you ate, how much, and how you're feeling at regular intervals. Then you'll know :)
    Hope it's just a rash or dry skin!

    edit: Not an MD or nurse, but been there, done that, including the whole medical testing. Some foods give me unusual reactions (sleepiness, hunger, headaches). If you're really concerned, go buy some antihistamines before doing isolation testing at home. If you feel serious reactions coming (like extreme itching or welts) take the antihistamine and call your doctor. If it is allergies, your home tests and notes will be very helpful.
  • adwilliams03
    adwilliams03 Posts: 147 Member
    It could just be dry skin. I've had it for two days now, and it's still itchy (and of course I can't stop scratching). But it hasn't spread anywhere else. No new blouses or soaps. Dry skin is probably the answer, but I have a doctor's appointment at the end of the month. Barring anymore outbreaks, I'll still talk to her about getting allergy tested since it's been quite a few years! Thanks, everyone!
  • nicolecassandra
    nicolecassandra Posts: 109
    Don't panic. Try to stop mixing and if the rashes stop, then that must be it. If you're dieting, if you can try some diet recipes instead, the one that you're not allergic too. Observe first, cause usually, that's what we ask from patients too.

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