Anyone with allergies have this torture?

I developed allergies when I got older. About 6 years or so ago I went to get tested for allergies, and I tested positive for the 40 things they tested. Great.

Mowing the lawn is a nightmare. This season is a nightmare. I'm continually stuffed up, constantly coughing because of the post-nasal drip....

We got rid of the down pillows, the down comforter, we use the unscented "allergy" detergent, and I worked to find shampoo and soap and stuff that doesn't bother me in the shower &etc.

But this time of year, if I've been outside for a couple of hours or more, it's like the shower ACTIVATES whatever causes the allergic reactions. My thinking is it's supposed to wash OFF all the stuff bothering me - and I have hives, but they're not itching. But when I get out of the shower, I itch like I'm covered in poison ivy or something. I have to dry off and just sit somewhere for like 15 - 20 minutes while my body is on FIRE ITCHING. I've even tried not using any soap, and just rinsing off. Doesn't matter what I do.

It is the most insane feeling that drives me completely nuts.

I long for the days when I felt better after a shower, because this sucks!

I have a immune disorder that causes me to mimic allergic symptoms... I feel your pain ... A friend does my lawn ONLY cause she like to do yard work and she did not like my attempt at killing it

Just walking near a freshly mowed lawn can land me in the er

I have the same effects after a shower - unfortunately a skin specialist here in NZ costs me 6 times the amount that I earn per hour. I can't help Laurie but I feel your pain Could it be stress based?

Originally Posted by LDG

But this time of year, if I've been outside for a couple of hours or more, it's like the shower ACTIVATES whatever causes the allergic reactions. My thinking is it's supposed to wash OFF all the stuff bothering me - and I have hives, but they're not itching. But when I get out of the shower, I itch like I'm covered in poison ivy or something. I have to dry off and just sit somewhere for like 15 - 20 minutes while my body is on FIRE ITCHING. I've even tried not using any soap, and just rinsing off. Doesn't matter what I do.

It is the most insane feeling that drives me completely nuts.

I long for the days when I felt better after a shower, because this sucks!

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Speaking of torture...you may want to try adjusting the temperature of the water downwards ? I don't suffer allergies but have heard from friends who do that itching comes both from the heat (of being outdoors and hot water) that has the effect of increasing the blood flow to the skin of the body. Toweling afterwords only compounds the invigoration of histamines being brought to the surface.

Even in northern Indiana where there were only 19 days at or above 90, the summer of 2010 can't end fast enough for me....

Have you ever come across aqugenic urticaria? I used to be on a forum with a person who had this, she also had pressure urticaria.

Originally Posted by elayman

Speaking of torture...you may want to try adjusting the temperature of the water downwards ?

I don't suffer allergies but have heard from friends who do that itching comes from both from the heat (of being outdoors and hot water) that has the effect of increasing the blood flow to the skin of the body. Toweling afterwords only compounds the invigoration of histamines being brought to the surface.

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I started with the hives after having JR. It's slowing calming down but heat brings them out. I am now taking cooler showers. When it was at it's peak I couldn't even lay down for comfort. I tried antihistamines but they faded in the same amt of time it took the medicine to kick in.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Have you ever come across aqugenic urticaria? I used to be on a forum with a person who had this, she also had pressure urticaria.

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Wow, that is wild. No, I'd never heard of that. If it happened every time, or when I washed my hands, I'd be thankful for the answer LOL. But it only happens when I've been outside for some time.

And I used to love taking hot showers - but I figured that isn't good for my skin anyway, so I now take cool ones. I also let myself cool down before taking a shower.

But the histamine release makes sense.... I have stopped "rubbing" with the towel to dry, and do pat... but still... just UGH!

I have ragweed allergy, and it kills me this time of year. Nothing seems to work either and I just developed this two years ago after moving to Ottawa

Laurie,

I tested positive for all of the allergens, too. I finally went for the shot treatments and I am really free of allergies. There are usually 2 weeks in April when the Acacia and pine trees are pollinating that are somewhat bothersome, but other than that I am my allergist's success story. If you get the shots, try them. Takes a long time, though.

Good luck and

I have some type of fall allergy that developed when I was 19. Its not as bad as it was in my 20's but on Sept 1st its like a switch was turned on! Try to do any yard work without antihistamines!! But I'm not sure its really ragweed as with our rainy summer plants bloomed and seeded 2-3 earlier than usual so my symptoms should have been sooner.

Keeping up and the antihistamines and Sudafed really help as well as drinking lots of water and using a Neti pot. One tip is when my eyes itch and I rub them even though I shouldn't I use a lighter moisturizer around my entire eye and it seems that if the skin is more moist the itchiness isn't is so bad. Whatever works is my motto!

I have suffered from allergies all my life, especially when it comes to my skin. I have seborrhea on my face, scalp, and arms, I had plantar psoriasis which is very painful, hives were a common reaction to whatever my body disagreed with at the time........Growing up I was misdiagnosed or told there was nothing I could do but slap steroid creams on and grin and bare it.
It wasn't till I started changing my diet and habits that I finally found relief! I quit smoking 5 years ago, within a year my plantar psoriasis was almost completely gone, today it is a thing of the past. I also stopped drinking liquor, especially wine, and my migraines and skin allergy sensitivity has gone from several times a season to maybe 2 times a year. I confess I still have a light beer here and there . I avoid sugar, especially in drinks, and processed foods. I have a lot of antioxidant foods in my diet, Green tea is my favorite! I also use humidifiers in the winter which I discovered accidentally years ago originally purchased for my plants, miracles for my sinuses and skin allergies. Also using a filtered shower head and kitchen faucet. Mineral build ups and other purification chemicals can cause skin irritation. Once you find a laundry detergent that works, stick to it, I have actually found Tide Free and even Downy is good for me, but everyone is different. I use Neutrogena facial soap, Clinique facial lotions and skin care, (hypoallergenic/fragrance free) if I don't I pay the price! I would recommend trying hypoallergenic/fragrance free body soaps and hair products.
Just some things that worked for me, maybe they will help you.

I don't suffer from any extreme allergies thankfully, though this season has bothered even me a bit more than usual. My girlfriend on the other hand is like a couple of you - moderately to severely allergic to almost EVERYTHING on the allergist's tests... She started on the shots and they helped for a while, but her dad's insurance policies changed and they weren't covered anymore. She's now back to where she was before the shots and can barely stay 10 minutes in my house with the two kitties without sneezing and eye-watering. Hoping that the insurance she's getting at her new job will cover the shots again; the cats adore her and she misses being able to play with them.

Also I know this was mentioned before, but when skin allergies are activated, taking as cool a shower as you can stay in comfortably for more than a few minutes is wonderfully helpful.

"I'm continually stuffed up, constantly coughing because of the post-nasal drip...."

I also suffer with the above and this summer has really been the worst. I have never coughed so much. The summer is officially over but Mother Nature hasn't caught up yet since it is still very not, I'm waiting for the nice brisk Fall weather hopefully in the 50's, now that would cure me for sure.

Originally Posted by butzie

Laurie,

I tested positive for all of the allergens, too. I finally went for the shot treatments and I am really free of allergies. There are usually 2 weeks in April when the Acacia and pine trees are pollinating that are somewhat bothersome, but other than that I am my allergist's success story. If you get the shots, try them. Takes a long time, though.

Good luck and

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I agree with Rosemary. I got shots for 5 years, but I'm relatively allergy free now.

Originally Posted by LDG

I developed allergies when I got older. About 6 years or so ago I went to get tested for allergies, and I tested positive for the 40 things they tested. Great.

Mowing the lawn is a nightmare. This season is a nightmare. I'm continually stuffed up, constantly coughing because of the post-nasal drip....

We got rid of the down pillows, the down comforter, we use the unscented "allergy" detergent, and I worked to find shampoo and soap and stuff that doesn't bother me in the shower &etc.

But this time of year, if I've been outside for a couple of hours or more, it's like the shower ACTIVATES whatever causes the allergic reactions. My thinking is it's supposed to wash OFF all the stuff bothering me - and I have hives, but they're not itching. But when I get out of the shower, I itch like I'm covered in poison ivy or something. I have to dry off and just sit somewhere for like 15 - 20 minutes while my body is on FIRE ITCHING. I've even tried not using any soap, and just rinsing off. Doesn't matter what I do.

It is the most insane feeling that drives me completely nuts.

I long for the days when I felt better after a shower, because this sucks!

Click to expand...

Is your skin itching like eczema? I've had problems with eczema all my life and I can describe a similar thing. Though I only have a dust/dustmites allergy so it is not as bad.

Cold showers do help and are better for your hair. Unfortunately for me I also have Reynaud's phenomenon so I tend to take lukewarm showers. I swear I've been diagnosed with too much in my life...

If you have certain parts itching real bad you can use hydro-cortisone to get rid of the itch. I recommend some with Aloe and vitamin E to have a cool soothing effect.

Zyrtec and Zantac have been my saviors this allergy season. It's the worst I've had in a long time. I was almost the bubble girl when I was little. I was allergic to everything I ate, touched or wore. After years of testing and treatments, I gave up two years of treatments and bam I'm sick again so back to shots again.

Hopefully they stick this time. But I know what you're talking about all too well and you really have my sympathies.