Yellow Dye #5 allergy - Allergies Message Board

KLA1975 · 08-09-2007, 02:20 PM

OK - Anyone else suffer from this? I have had horrible hives head to toe for 5 months now and none of the Dr's are helping me out. I am so frustrated and desperately need some relief. I have been on Prednisone, Benadryl, Claritin, and a prescription antihistamine. Some of these help a bit, but nothing releives the hives. I am trying to avoid all soaps and foods that contain yellow dye, but I still get the hives. Can anyone shed some light on my situation? Thanks in advance.

wakkochic17 · 08-10-2007, 11:56 AM

are you positive that's your only allergy? Is it possible there is something else that you are allergic to? How did you come to the conclusion about the yellow dye, was it from allergy tests? Just some questions to get a better feel of the situation..

hopetofeelwell1 · 08-11-2007, 09:58 PM

Hi KLA! I sympathize with you completely. I am allergic to ALL dyes--yellow, blue, red from external and internal sources. I can't use hair dye, have to be careful of dyes even in clothing as well, and some of the things you wouldn't think of right off the bat have food dye in them. For instance, I didn't think about barbecue sauce on chicken and about a month ago, I put some on when I was cooking and BOOM! I was covered even more so with hives because good old red 40 was in it. I was tested 6 years ago--they do the testing on your back for all external allergens and it showed that I was allergic to nickel, PPD(found in hair dye), rubber, latex--you name it, they found it!! I still have a problem with hives right now, but they're finding it might have to do with my gall bladder and the junk in my system. God bless and I hope you feel well soon--Hopeto-- PS They alternate my antihistamines: Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra. Right now I take 1 claritin in the am and two zyrtec at nite.

index.html · 08-14-2007, 11:32 AM

I read recently that yellow dye #5 contains sulfites. Perhaps what you REALLY have is a sulfite intolerance. If that's the case, there are alot more foods (& drinks) that you need to avoid in order to get your hives under control.

KLA1975 · 08-14-2007, 01:37 PM

Thank you for the reponses I have received. I had no idea that yellow dye contains sulfites. I have read about allergies to them but did not know that yellow dye contained them. I will also watch for that. Do the labels on foods say "sulfites?" What do I look for? As far as all dyes, that has crossed my mind as well. I'm thinking it has to be more than just yellow. I have testing coming up in a week for foods and outdoor allergies. Apparently you cannot test for yellow dye. Not sure about the others. My Dr called Mayo Clinic and they confirmed that there isn't a test to know for sure. Because of my testing I can't take any antihistamines to ensure an accurate test. I am a mess! I look like I have small pox or something! Plus last night I woke up with night sweats 3 times. Not sure if that is related or not. I do have other sinus type allergies, but nothing has ever been this bad. The derm. figured my new yellow dye allergy was set off because I changed 2 meds I was on to their generic form and the pills were yellow. I have since changed back, but I'm not getting better. Thanks again and I'll let you know what happens!

-KLA