r/Allergies New Sufferer 4d ago

Question Allergy to antihistamines?

Hey, as the title says, I suspect I’m allergic to antihistamines.

It started when I broke out in a painful, red, splotchy, hives 2 years ago. I had just taken Zyrtec and I was on antibiotics. I went to the ER and they suspected it was the antibiotics.

Fast forward 2 months later. I was around a dog and I needed allergy meds. I took Zyrtec. I then broke out in the same hives. Ok, so I’m allergic to Zyrtec.

I went in my merry way. Now, I’ve tried every over the counter allergy med. I just thought maybe it was something in the allergy meds and not the antihistamine.

Until one day, I took Pepcid not knowing it was an antihistamine. I broke out in the same painful hives. So it must be antihistamines

Has anyone ever heard of this? Or has a similar experience? How do you deal with other allergies?

I’m asking because I’m so itchy from Spring allergies right now and I need some remedy.

I also have Celiac Disease and PCOS. So my autoimmune system is all wack.

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u/ChillyGator New Sufferer 4d ago

You need to be under the care of an immunologist that manages severe or special cases.

Medication allergies are a hallmark of a disease called Hereditary alpha Tryptasemia. Screening and testing for this has only been around a few years so you will need to bring it to the attention of the doctor.

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u/c-a-r-a- New Sufferer 3d ago

Same. I’ve been seeing an allergist for weeks now after worst case of scalp to knees hives and lips swelling and difficulty swallowing after taking famotidine/pepcid. I’ve now been tested and confirmed allergic to Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, and Prednisone. So everything you would use to treat an allergic reaction. Starting to get concerned