Band Hives ~ Allergic Reaction ~ NURSES??

[NurseTeresa 0]

Solumedrol is by prescription only! It is a steroid. Too bad we cant get it by just going to wal mart

[Andy Liz 0]

Hi 3loves!

It's very important to tell the hospital personnel of your allergy when you go for surgery - multiple times - tell anyone you have contact with. Most hospitals use a betadine solution to prep the skin and the iodine in it is what triggers the allergic reaction. If they know this ahead of time they can use an alternate skin cleanser and eliminate the possibility of another reaction.

If you ever have to have a future radiologic test performed where they use a contrast medium they should ask you if you are allergic to shellfish. The radiology techs also have alternate choices to use if you are.

I'd definitely be tested for allergens - whichever way you choose - just so you know what bothers you and those triggers can be avoided. Good luck and I wish you a very successful surgery!

Andy Liz

[Boo 3]

Watch out for sea salt scrubs, too!

[Morsaille 4]

Definitely get tested. It could have been an allergy to something other than shellfish. Like maybe nuts. Some restaurants fry in Peanut oil and fail to mention it on their menu. This happens to a friend of mine about once a year.

I almost enjoyed my allergy testing. I included plastics on my panel prebanding to be sure I wouldn't have a reaction. I was allergic to my sleep mask and didn't want to have a similar reaction to the band. Get it checked out. Something like an allergy helps pull your attention to meal planning and could even make being banded easier.

[medussa 0]

3loves

I am a nurse and have seen this many times. Allergies do develope late in life sometimes as a result of a "cumulative effect". This is often the case with things like latex. Every exposure causes a worsened reaction...until you have an anaphalactic reaction. I wont get into the physiolocial stuff but basically your body comes into contact with something "foreign" and starts to build up a defense. Each time you have contact with that thing, your body builds more defenses and eventually the whole army is let loose...thus the severe reaction. Penicillin is another common one. You almost never have an allergic reaction to PCN on the first use....the reaction comes on the second and third. And the more times it is used, the greater the reaction each time.

As for treatment... benedryl is standard. It is an anti-histamine and blocks the reaction...which is a histamine release. Prednisone is a steriod and is used to decrease the inflammation, but more importantly it is used to block your immune response. Prednisone is the drug they give transplant recipients so that they dont reject an organ. An allergic reaction is similiar in that the body recognizes the thing you are allergic to as foreign and trys to fight it off.... you should only need the prednisone for a very short time if multiple doses are even given.

As for solumedrol....it is also a steroid, same as prednisone, but is usually given IV or Injection. It is a little faster acting and a little stronger. Usually a patient is started on solumedrol and then weaned to prednisone and then weaned off all steriods. Hope that helped.

[3loves 0]

Boy, I am learning so much and appreciate each and every one of you!!

Wow....love all the details Medussa....thanks!! I try to understand the whys and hows and this helps. I think I will call my PCP to see if they can do a quick blood test b4 surgery just so I know for sure. I know I can't get into the allergist b4 then b/c they are a 45 min drive and usually pretty booked.

Morsaille ~ Your right about the peanut oil. That's a good thing to check out. Good idea on the plastics too while I'm at it.

Boo ~ I loved that website!! Did you know it's Food Allergy Awareness Week? Very appropriate in my case. Help me understand the sea salt srubs.....I use BeautiControl Instant Manicure often and have never had a reaction. Is this something that could build up to a reaction?

Andy Liz ~ I will tell everyone I come in contact with at the hospital. They will ALL know it by the time I leave. :success1: