NBR: how severe of an allergic reaction is too severe?

KissyfaceKate

So I'm having a pretty severe allergic reaction to something. I'm covered, like COVERED in hives. We really don't know what is causing it. We suspect it's the higher dose of the pain patch I just switched to. Benadryl isn't doing a thing. I took the patch off, which os going to hurt like a motherbitch in a few hours However my hives seem to be getting worse. I'm breathing ok but my hands are swollen and my other joints are achey. I'm going to wait a few hours, see if things calm down. If they get worse I might go to ER. What do you think? What would you do?

chizzle09

Yikes! That sounds pretty bad!! I would probably head to the ER if I were you. I hope you feel better soon!!!

KissyfaceKate

Forgot to add. Called my dr so we can get a lower dose rx for the patch. Talked about hives, nurse said if gets severe go to ER. I have to be super careful due to my asthma. But how severe is severe??

KissyfaceKate

Sorry for run on post. I'm on my phone. And I have swollen sausage fingers

MrsNap_515

I'm a nervous nelly so i'd go to the er...but from my medical training for work, we have a little boy who usually breaks out severly at times, the parents just give benedryl and wait it out, unless he has hard time breathing, then we have an epipen, but have never had to use it

mm29

I would defiantly go to the ER if it?s getting worse.  What you need worry about is your airway swelling.  Take Pepcid or Zantac if you have it, because they can help with an allergic reaction as well. 

 

I really hope you are feeling well soon!

 

Melicakes

I'm an asthmatic too and it can only take minutes to go from iffy to severe, I'd go to the the ER NOW

ecleptic

Melicakes:

I'm an asthmatic too and it can only take minutes to go from iffy to severe, I'd go to the the ER NOW

This exactly. By the time the reaction starts affecting your airway, it could be difficult to drive to the ER. If you really want to avoid going into the ER you could wait in the parking lot of the ER for the swelling to go down and if it gets worse, just walk in. I consider big hives covering more than just one arm enough of a concern to head to the ER- if it's systematic it will spread and there's no way to know how fast.

Temp935838312504158

Being a nurse, I would say go to the ER now! You need a steroid & possibly some Epinephrine! If you have that many hives & your starting to swell in your hands then your reaction is moderately severe! It could only take minutes before your throat starts to swell as well! GO TO THE ER and let us know later how you are doing!