hello, i never had allergies in the past but about 4 months ago i started to get hives w/ unknown causes.. i still get them everyday and it happen even when i dont eat... im very worried that i could get a anaphylatic reaction because when i get the hives, they are all over my face and body.. im very scared to eat.. i literally eat in front of a mirror to check and see for hives... this is literally torture.. has anyone had a fear of a allergic/anaphylatic reaction, and how do u get passed this.. thank you

Have you gone to an allergist to see what could be causing these hives?

I have bad food allergies. So I know how you feel. :rolleyes: I carry an EPI-PEN with me at all times. Also Benedryl Liquid and Pills.

Educate yourself on allergic reactions, stay calm and keep the appropriate medicine on hand and you will be fine.

Stay well.....

im seeing a allergist this week, but if im not allergic to anything is it from anxiety?

also, have u had food allergies all your life.. can u develop a allergy if u were never allergic to it? im wondering ty

You can develope an allergic reaction to anything at anytime in your life. Meaning you can become allergic to something even if you have taken it all your life or even once before. I have a phobia about medications, I feared them because I had always taken penicillin as a child and teenager for whatever reason and then when I hit 35 I had a anaphalactic reaction to it. Dr says it can happen with any drug. So of course I feared taking anything new or familiar. So for me to take a med new or familiar I park in the hospital parking lot the first couple doses until I feel more comfortable, or I take it when hubby is home in case of reaction. It is part of anxiety, as I get older I'm getting less fearful, maybe because the older I get the more I'll need to take some med so I better get use to it?

Everything NancyH said is true.

Allergies to ANYTHING can happen ANYTIME in your life; you can develop food allergies to something that you've eaten before or drugs you have taken many times before. For me it was a banana that triggered my food allergies.

I always had a little "itchy" feeling in my mouth when I'd eat a banana (now thinking back :rolleyes: ) so when I had a full blown allergic reation to one (just short of being considered a true anaphylatic reaction). I had hives from the top of my skull, my palms to my toes. I had no idea what was happening to me but only realized how severe it was when they took me in the ER very quickly and I had 5 doctors hovering over me. I freaked out AFTER and am so scared of food to this day. All FRUIT makes me sick to my stomach (a sign of a food allergy too) so I avoid all fruits.

Here's a little story about drug allergies: I had my 3 year old daughter tested and they found multiple food allergies in her too. Luckily she was tested and we knew what to avoid with her. We did have a scary episode when she was on an antibiotic that contained Sulfa. She had taken it many times before (5x's at least) and one day, after being on it for 3 days, she woke up with hives all over. Big ones! I didn't freak out immediatly because i knew she didn't eat anything. To make a long story short, she was allergic to Sulfra which was in the antibiotic. So you my point is...

Get tested & EDUCATE YOURSELF on all types of allergic reactions. Keep and Epi-Pen on you at all times for any potiential major reactions and know what the signs are when to use it. Also make sure everyone you know knows your situation and where the pen is located. Keep Benedryl (liquid or pills) on hand for any minor reactions and just be aware. You just have to see my handbag!!

I also don't take any new drugs (or any old drugs actually) without someone near by (family, neighbors, in a busy area with lots of strangers if need be).

This all seems so severe. But it's a way of life for me and my daughter. There are alot of people that have it worse and we are very lucky that we've never had to use the Epi-Pen. :angel: And hope never to.

Your situation could be anxiety related too. Tell this to your doctor when you visit. Sometimes I undertsand that hives can come as mysteriously as leave and no one knows why.

God Bless and Be safe!

Boy can I sympathize here!!!!!!!!! I never but never ever had to deal with 'hives' until about 3 months ago. I was going through a horrific anxiety time with depression, etc. Then I got 'the' hives! My Internist is saying it is pure anxiety/stress related. Their horrible. I can take an Atarax and they'll go away for 2-3-4 days and then wham-o. They pop out even when I don't think I'm stressed and the possibility of anaphalatic shock scares me too but it hasn't come down to that. Once in a while my lip will get swollen but haven't had trouble breathing at all. I wish we could get to the bottom of these miserable things! I'm so tired looking like I have 'the creeping crud' or something like that.

wow, i really think that mine is due to anxiety too but i feel a lump in my throat which makes me feel like i cant breathe but i cant tell the difference between that and throat closing.. im a mess. ty for the replies..