Yesterday i had my 3rd anaphylaxic reaction. I got a tattoo earlier in the day ( I have many tattoos), I do have sensative skina nd get hives easily...this time, a few hours after the tattoo I applied bacitracin and was feeling a bit dizzy, I started to see the hives spread and got very flush and felt mylips tingling and palms getting itchy. I took a Banadryl (I also took Zyrtec earlier but that didnt help). I went to the hospital and they put me on Prednisone after monitering me.
the last time I got a tattoo I had a reaction, but it was 7 hours later and the Allergist did not think it was from the tattoo ink (that time I passed out and my throat started to close). I had one other episode where I ate Japanese food (I had eaten the same thing many times), went home and started to get reaction and had to go to ER.
All the allergy tests came back negative, but they urged me to carry Epi-Pen.
I am freaking out that this happend again. I don't know what I am allergic too... The tattoo is not bubbling or anything. I am just nervouse that when the Prednisone is over that the tattoo Dye is in my skin and I will keep getting a reaction.
My other thought is that it is due to any sort of trauma or stressto my body or just idiopathic.
It's terrible to not know.
Today I feel terrible, so dizzy still, I guess from all the antihistamine and the prednisone.....
THank you all for your input!

Alex, well I guess you just got your last tattoo? I am sorry that you had this. Anaphylaxis is scary. I went to our alternative doctor because I was allergic to all toiletries. Well, he discovered all sorts of allergies that I had and I got a shot called LDA (Low Dose Allergen) and so did my daughter. It worked really well. I see you live in NJ. I have a list of doctors who do this shot and there are some near you.

Look into a contact allergen test this identifies the allergens that you react to via skin contact. There are many tested in this way that are not tested for in the standard skin scratch tests. You can get it applied through the allergiest of through a dermatologist. I went to a dermatologist in conjunction with my allergist. It was an enlightening study that had me changing every cosmetic, lotion, toiletry, and many foods and such. I knew about my iodine allergy, suspected the nickle, but was floored by the cobolt, propylene glycol, formaldyhde and many other preservative and chemical allergens. Having to do alot of natural and organic cooking and living these days.

I am healthier though.

MG

Sannah:
Yes I live in NJ, would love a list of Dr's that do this. I currently see Dr. Gross in Middletown.

MKgbrook:

I really want toget that contact allergen test...do all allergists perform this test? I am really freaking and hope that the tattoo ink in me will not continue to produce a reaction.

I also notice any trauma to my body causes me to break out in hives....
however this is not just hives it is also swelling, itchiness and faintness...I wonder if it's related.

Go to a dermatologist that is associated with an allergy/immunologist group. That will be your best bet in locating the source of your problem. I am allergic to emulcifiers and preservatives. You could have something similar considering dyes, inks, and any liquid/cream based fluid contains them so that a homogenous suspension is maintained. You can call and ask if the perform the contact skin test.. most allergist do, but they only do it when severe cases of contact dermatitus, exzyma, and rosecea are detected.

Dermatologists are much more willing to look into the contact allergen testing.

Sincerely,
MG

Alex, Dr. Jim Neubrander in Edison, NJ does these shots. The dermatologist did the exact testing that brook here is talking about. I changed all of my products and became allergic to those within months. When the alternative doctor did his testing I was allergic to about 85% of everything that he tested for! The dermatologist and the allergist told me what to avoid but the alternative doctor TOOK MY ALLERGIES AWAY!

Thank you both for the fast response. I don't live far from Edison so I will be calling that Dr.
It's such a scary way to live... I also have terrible stomach problems which makes me limit my diet , now I don't want to ingest ANYTHING or put anything on my body! UGH!

Alex, my only symptom that I had food allergies was stomach pain, reflux, and anal irritation. Basically a contact allergy. I am actually getting my 3rd LDA allergy shot tomorrow. It should be my final one now and then I will only need booster shots once per yr maybe. Good luck!