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Monday, October 23, 2006
ITCHY HANDS AND FEET: ALLERGIC REACTION IN THE HAMPTONS
The strangest thing happened to me last night after dinner at East Hampton's Della Femina restaurant (this was after screening of Margarete Von Trotta's film "I Am The Other Woman at the Hamptons International Film Festival).
I had a weird allergic reaction and I have no idea what caused it. My hands and feet itched under the skin. My right eye got swollen and my nasal passages got stuffed up. I had a hard time swallowing and was generally very uncomfortable.
The itching on the palms of my hands and soles of my feet was probably the worst part of it.
Here's what had for dinner:
A delicious three mushroom and broccoli soup with cheddar cheese
A pork chop with apple compote, celery root slaw and swiss chard
Two glasses of a French red wine
Then my hands started to itch. It got worse before it got better. I slept fitfully. Took a Claritin. Thankfully, when I woke up I felt fine. The whole thing was so mysterious.
October 23, 2006 in Postcard from the Slope | Permalink
Comments
Hey all
This ai amazing!!. I thought I would die.
My hands started itching at around 10:30am after I had missed my normal ten Oclock tea on a cold winter day. Instead I ate sour cream and onion crisps that I had never eaten before.
Anyway I dont know whether the itching was caused by this but it went on for about 15 minutes. My hands were very itchy, I sratched them with my nails and they became red hot with a burning sensation!. Severe I felt, I decided to wsh them, no change I applied vasseline petrolium jelly and continue to massage them. My feet in sock and shoes started to itvh too. Nowe I prayed they dont get as worse as my hands.
I took off my socks and shoes scratched my feet a bit scared of offsetting the itching even more. While i listened to my hands progress. I told myself this has to stop. asked my colligues about the situation , they did not take me serious. So I suffered alone, took of my fleece as I was wearing five layers of tops, trousers and tights and socks. I told myself may be I was not well ventilated. Sure enough , with socks off and one Jacket down My situation imroved . the itching stopped.
I dont know whether to blame the layers of cothes, The chips or simply missing my cup of tea when my body needed it most.( it was very cold today)
Posted by: Auleria | Jul 14, 2009 4:24:37 PM
antihistamine a prescription could help reduce the itching. I had reallly itchy hands and feet as well, but my itch has seemed to slowly diminish; nevertheless I went to a dermatologist and she said that the itchness is worse at night because the body relases something called histamine which would cause an itch and antihistamine could help reduce the annoyance of an itch. She also said the itch is probally an allergic reaction and my hands and feet are no longer itchy because whatever entered my system has left. Hope this helps.
Posted by: Andy | Jun 25, 2009 12:32:59 PM
I have been having itchy hands and feet for over a year, its worst at night time around 2:30 3am, it is driving me crazy, i tell my husband, any morning he is going to find two feet on the floor, with no one in them, i have dry skin on them now, were i am steady scratching them, baking soda and water helps, i tried dr scolls althelte powder, but no luck,no sure what to do, any help would be great.
Posted by: Daphne | Jun 24, 2009 10:39:59 PM
i was out walking in the woods behind my house and i ran into this sticky vine! i don't know what it is, but i do know that it made my foot sting 'cause, stuiped of me really,i was waering flip-flops and it touched me feet. now they are bumpy, red, and sting! please HELP!!!!
Posted by: Tia | Jun 23, 2009 8:51:16 PM
I too have the itchy hands and feet. Started for me about a month after we moved into our new house. This was last November 2008. i take a 10mg Zyrtec cut in half (5 mg) every morning, and it helps. But I also take a benadryl at night before I go to bed. For me, if I miss a day of zyrtec or benadryl, the itching comes at 3am in the morning. Why at this time, i don't know. but it never fails. It happens at 3am if I miss a dose of zyrtec. My doc has tested me for celiac disease, but it came back negative. I am allergic to most plants/weeds/pollens, but I don't think that is it b/c this started in the winter time when I wasn't even outside that much. crazy! I don't think it is stress b/c I was on zoloft when this started, so i had very minimal stress. I have since gone off the zoloft, but the itching is still here. I think it may be an autoimmune response of some sort. I cannot pinpoint a specific food that I eat that triggers this. HELP if you have any suggestions!!
Posted by: Lori | Jun 22, 2009 6:24:06 PM
Wow, I'm glad to see that I am not a hypochondriac, I started using flax seeds and the oil in my diet the other day. I mixed a tblsp of the oil in yogart and sprinkled the seeds on my salad. Within an hour of taking the oil I started vomiting until I had nothing more in my stomach. Along with this I had a horrible headach and some mild chills. I have no idea if this was connected to the flax seed but by the time I went to bed that night I had also developed a horrible itching all over my body but especially on my hands and feet. Man, after what I had just gone throught with the vomiting, I couldn't believe this itch attack. It was so intense that I scratched my feet raw and felt like I was going to go insane. Does anyone know if there is such a reaction to flax seeds and oil?
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | May 2, 2009 9:46:53 AM
I've developed itchy hives on either (or all) my forearms, neck, hands, feet, ankles, inner thighs, and/or chest everyday for about the last 15 years. Sometimes in conjunction I get itchy-burning-swollen hands a feet. After prolonged periods of this my hands and feet tend to bruise and the joints in my fingers become painful. I have been prescribed a combination of medications: Zyrtec 10mg (before it was OTC), Doxepin 50mg and with Flonase nasal spray. These medications usually subside the symptoms, however I can immediately tell when the medication is wearing off- usually late in the day when it is time for the next dose. Occasionally the symptoms are so bad that the medication has little effect.
Recently I went to the dentist for an achy tooth. I was told I had an infected tooth and before I could get a root canal I needed to eliminate the infection. The dentist prescribed Amoxicillin (a type of penicillin) even though I told him I was allergic to penicillin. I have always been told that I was allergic to penicillin and that I developed a rash from it as an infant. The dentist told me that he wanted me to use it anyway because it was common for infants to have reaction to penicillin and not as adults. Unfortunately against my better judgment I accepted his word. After taking the Amoxicillin for 3 days I developed hives all over my body, itchy--burning-swollen hands and feet and unfortunately the allergy medicine did not give me relief. After discontinuing use of the Amoxicillin it took a full miserable week for the symptoms to go away. It has been 3 weeks since this happened and I have developed all of the symptoms again. I don't know if it is related to the Amoxicillin or something else. I suspect the strawberries I ate several days ago are the culprits, but I'm not sure. At any rate I am miserable, a warm shower gives me temporary relief of the itching, but my hands and feet are very sensitive to heat when this happens.
I may be demented, but I am glad to see I'm not alone in this and that so many people have the same problems.
Posted by: Jeff Willis | Apr 25, 2009 12:32:48 PM
Please read the article concerning Urticaria - Hives.
Posted by: Charlene | Apr 7, 2009 5:32:57 AM
I have had allergies since I was a teenager. It got worse as I got older and most doctors, don't seem to know what the exact causes and triggers are. I almost died last year due to my allergies. The itching appears all over my body at times, but the worse is always on the bottom of feet and sometimes my hands. It really hurts when it is in my knees. I read an article once about hives that come from an allergic reactions that appear around the bones when you have a reactions and causes the itching to be really intense. I must say, I am doing so much better, Thank God!!!, but I take Singular and Loratadine every day for in and outdoor allergies. When I have an allergic reaction in my feet or hands I use Triamcinolone Acetonide cream. Usually spicy foods or some fast foods such as Krystals will cause me to have an allergic reactions, as well as certain types of generic drugs.
Good luck, I know how you feel, and some people take it so lightly, because they don't understand...
Posted by: Charlene Martin | Apr 7, 2009 5:21:37 AM
Hello, my itching started two days ago, out of nowhere, random places! No rash, no bites. It hasn't stopped since. My palms and my feet are so bad. This is torture! I went to the doctor, the only thing he said was he doesn't see a bite. Told me to take cold showers and use creams in case my skin is dry. I told him to touch my god damn skin, because my skin is never ever dry and he said i was right, it wasnt dry at all
Did anyone find a solution?
Posted by: Pixie | Mar 18, 2009 10:33:05 AM
PLEASE go get tested for food allergies! Very, Very IMPORTANT! Especially since you had difficulty swallowing. It is good to know what to avoid. These tests may save your life for the next time you come in contact with whatever you are allergic to. Keep the list of 'all' of the foods you ate that day and tell the doctor. There is something called Anaphylaxis shock from severe food allergies. You cannot breathe. VERY SERIOIUS. Play it safe and get tested. God bless you and keep you safe!
Posted by: Kathy | Mar 17, 2009 10:05:51 AM
Hi, have had an itch that covers the whole of my body, especially the hands and feet and ankles. The palms of my hands and inbetween the fingers are hot and damp and so are the soles of my feet. I drank the night before it happened and since I have had no respite. Have tried all of the anti - hystamines eg, Benedral, Loratadine and Cietzerine. Went to the Dr.s who has given me some Fenxofedine 120mg (only cab be got with a prescription) although, he suggested blood tests would be a good idea too. Hope this helps
Posted by: james | Mar 13, 2009 5:05:53 AM
hands itching, feet the same, occasionally have welts all over, could it be stress related?
Posted by: tim | Mar 12, 2009 3:06:33 AM
I get itchy nose and then through out my body my husband says it is from drinking beers. i have no rash, but from the top of my head to toes i itch and itch. i think it is allergy but he keeps telling me it the beers. please does anyone itch all over, not just the palm and feet
i am going crazy with it. When it gets real bad i drink fall asleep and when i wake up the itch is gone
go figure.....
Posted by: marie | Mar 10, 2009 12:27:33 AM
I can't believe that so many other people are having my problems with hot, burning, itching feet! Sometimes I tear up the soles of my feet with my fingernails, but nothing helps. I have never tried benedril. The only drug that I know that I am allergic to is penicillin. I have been taking the anti-depressant Effexor XR for the past 8 years, and I have been having this hot, burning, itching feet since that time, but it has never been as badf as it has been here of late. Thanks for this blog.
Posted by: Mickie | Feb 25, 2009 6:11:49 AM
I am really pleased I found this blog. It really helps to know that you're not the only one. My mum suffered a severe attack to her hands and feet and tried to comfort her with rubbing her feet. The itching was so intense I tied her feet with string to counteract the itching. The doctors' appear at a loss when we try and explain the allergy. Thank you for enlighting us on all your experiences.
Posted by: eri | Feb 9, 2009 6:00:51 AM
To add to my previous comment just now....as I said I have a prescription for an "epi pen" shot in case the allergic reaction occurs again if by mistake I eat food that I am allergic to. This prescription would be very helpful to all the people who start to have the itchy hands and feet and if it gets worse having an epi pen available will help most cases. You need to see a doctor first and he will prescribe it to you. It is more helpful than the benedryl especially if it spreads to the face and your eyes are affected.
And it is definately necessary if your breathing is affected.
You also may have to be tested to see which food you are allergic to so you know. In my case I still dont know if it was the clams or the trail mix as I ate both. But I think it was the clams.
Ruth
Posted by: ruth | Feb 3, 2009 3:54:28 PM
Hello,
I have experienced the itchy hands one time after I ate a clam roll and then later trail mix as I was driving home from vacation. It got worse and worse as I was driving to the point that my face was all red and my eyes looked red and I had to pull over to a shopping mall and ask for help. They got an ambulence and took me to the hospital. It seems that I had an allergic reaction and the first sign is usually the itchy hands and depending on how much of the food you ate that is the "culprit" then it will get worse unless you get medical help. It tooks three hours with intensive emergency care to bring me back to normal. NOw I have an Epi pen with me all the time in case it happens again, I cag=n give myself the shot.
Ruth
Posted by: ruth | Feb 3, 2009 3:35:15 PM
Thanks so much for this useful article. I have, over the months, have some food allergies.
Posted by: Aparna | Feb 2, 2009 2:02:11 AM
I get itchy hands palms and top also my feet on the top is not all the time one in a while i feel attack i have try creams, allergy meds, and they don't work the only thing that works is HOT WATER I go to the tub and run it as hot as i can stand it and it totally helps. i get it mainly in the evenings when i drink red wine it intensifies also when i eat out. i get this here and there one time i had to run home because it was all over my body and i had to run for my hot tub... i hope somebody could helps us with this ....
Posted by: carmen | Jan 31, 2009 12:45:39 AM
I appreciate everyones comments. It does help to know your not alone.
A week or so ago I started with this horrible hand itching, my palms and fingers! So terrible and hot to the touch. That is weird because my hands are always freezing cold, ALWAYS. Within about 30 minutes my feet started in, mostly the soles and up by my ankles. There is no redness, no lesions, no sores or bumps or rash. Just burning hot and an itch that is out of this world! I wake up in the mornings and my hands and feet are so swollen it's also unbarable and so hard to walk on rolly polly feet because they are so swollen. I try rubbing hydrocortizone cream on them and it helps until the cream soaks in, which is a few minutes and then it's back again. I've tried rubbing them with waterless surgical scrub (I work in a surgery center) to see if the alcohol will work, I haven't used anything latex for a couple of years, so that isn't it either. I have however started taking generic Aleve about 3 weeks ago for horrible foot pain and joint pain. I will have to ask my Nephrologist on Monday if there is a link to the generic Aleve and this itching. Will follow up on this blog for those interested.
I am going totally insane with the itching. I do not have allergies to any foods, so this is something that has to be caused by medication or is something else. Any input would be great if you have any ideas. Can't take Benedryl, wipes me out for days at a time, even the 25mg smallest dose. I am at a loss with this one. No ideas at all what to do. I do have stage 3 Kidney Disease and if this is a symptom of that I will also find that out Monday. If it is, it's not good I know that much at least.
-Rob
Posted by: Robyn | Jan 11, 2009 5:13:51 AM
I'm really glad I found this Blog. I did a search for Itching of ankles,wrists and palms and here I am. Sounds like I'm older than most of you at age 67 and experiencing these symptoms for the first time this winter. I too first attributed them to dry weather in the winter but now I don't think so. I noticed the sulfa alergy which I share. I don't drink red wine but I did drink two bottles of Mexican beer last night...New Years Eve after all....and last night was awful with the feet itching around the ankles and the bottoms of both feet. The other food item in last night's meal that might be suspect from reading other's comments is the Shrimp!! To the poster who listed THRUSH as a symptom, you might want to see your dentist. I have been diagnosed with Lichen Planus (I believe that is the spelling) and have even had one liesion removed and biopsied. Lichen Planus is an auto immune disease and my family is prone to these auto immune problems with stuff like Multiple Schelorosis, Lupus, Scheloderma, and some others that don't come to mind right now. So back to the itching....right now it's just below my right ankle....I'll try the benedryl as many of you have suggested and see how that works.
Posted by: Joni in Oregon | Jan 2, 2009 3:26:38 PM
I also am bothered by this horrible itching, worst on hands and bottoms of feet, from inside, have also had attacks where I itch all over. I have tried several detox programs and have tried eliminating nutrition supplements one at a time, have also taken out wine and cheese from my diet for a given amount of time. All to no avail. I have not yet seen a specialist because I have hoped to figure it out and don't want to hear someone say just take such and such medecine. I am wondering if it is something I breathe. Glad to find your blog, as I had begun to wonder if it was some strange disease. I will write again when I find the answer! Thanks for your information.
Posted by: Diane | Dec 24, 2008 3:11:07 AM
I'm in Florida and think i might have bitten last week and last night but cant find a bite mark. my back side last week felt as if there was a piece of plastic under my skin, hard swelling. my palms itched and it flet like a pill in my throat. after 3 days it all went away. but last night same thing on back of my thie, again no visble bite but the symptoms although the same are not as severe, like i might be getting used to it or "got hit" with less of whatever it is!
i skipped lunch and didnt eat any dinner or snacks, Mountain Dew (the cans came sticky) is the only consumption both days.
Posted by: Mike | Dec 17, 2008 6:44:32 PM
I am 56 years old and never was allergic to anything but royal bee jelly. Awful! Now, I have extremely itchy, under skin, bottom of feet. I want to dig. But, it changes, the next day it might be inside of forearms or back. I have been drinking alcohol but didn't connect it because it doesn't seem to be hours after. Could be days later. There is no swelling or redness apart from itching that is. I have been wondering about toxicity of vitamins like the B complex. Anyone else taking vitamins maybe a lot?
Posted by: Linda | Dec 14, 2008 9:53:15 PM
