Last Friday I found a long red blotch on my left wrist. It seemed a bit rawer by evening, but didn't hurt, and reminded me of a scrape. On Saturday, it looked more like bug bites. Applied Benadryl cream...
That didn't appear to help much.
Not bug bites. Hives. Swapped today's chiro appointment -- which I needed, I had a really bad muscle spasm on Saturday, dammit -- for allergist instead.
I began taking Benadryl at night when I went to bed, but... more red spots began to appear. I've only gotten hives a few times in my life, so that's not something I initially think of when I find mystery red blotches.
Progression:
Friday, original mark that worsened as day waned.
Sunday, new spot on right forearm.
Monday, new hive on opposite side of same forearm.
Monday night, three spots on left foot. Points on a triangle.
Tuesday morning, the three separate hives on my foot were trying to become One Great Hive.
Tuesday afternoon, I woke up from a nap and I was cold. Feet, hands, nose -- not the usual reaction I get when I wake up. I should've been warm! I also kept getting a little hitch in my throat throughout the day.
I cannot take more Benadryl. Monday I took one after brunch -- and slept entire afternoon; clearly it stays in my system longer now, since I mostly avoid Benadryl these days.
Probable causes:
1] Belated drug-allergic reaction to 2nd COVID shot. [This is how I reacted to sulfa too, nearly 3 weeks later.]
2] Reacting to a new OTC. Hyaluronic acid, particularly Hyalo Gel. Apparently Mayo Clinic has the side effects listed -- if it's taken as an injection for knee pain. I use it as a topical, but also injected.
3] Some random unknown plant. I believe Thursday was the night I chased one of the local tomcats in the back forty, which is a morass of flora. But--! one would think that a plant-based allergic reaction would happen on or by my ankles, dammit! In my experience you don't have a hive or three pop up every couple of days after encountering Some Plant.
Also, I escort the kittens outside every damned day, sometimes twice. Granted, I don't go in the far back often, but still.
Hives starting on my wrist suggests that it'd affect my other wrist too, or my hands. Random spots all over is exactly how I reacted to the sulfa last year.
My plan is to knock off using Hyalo Gel. Betting that these are drug-allergic reactions. Getting chilled yesterday for no reason, on top of the hives, puts this up in the severe end of allergic problems.
Luckily, it's an OTC that you take every three days. This is after three doses, mind you. Thankful I didn't try it daily!
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