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What Causes Severe Whole Body Itching After Eating A Meal?

Posted on Thu, 2 Feb 2017

Question: just about an hour back, I was having dinner with an oily and spicy soya chop and eggs. suddenly I had a fit of itching starting from my palms, then heels. soon I started to have rashes all over my body. somehow my face was spared though my ears were swelling red. I had to take a bath in this XXXXXXX chill. applied olive oil on every part of body where my hands could reach. I took 20 mg of Cetrizine and hv locked myself in the bathroom fearing I can pass infection to my family, my wife and son. waiting to heal .

what's is this? some severe reaction to eggs / spicy food? symptoms of chicken pox/ measles? I had an itching attack a week earlier in office too. on the palms. fortunately that stopped in 20 minutes without spreading deep. please help . is cetrizine correct? what quantity? I m 38 yrs old. :(

Answered by Dr. Sameer Kumar (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
food allergy

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query to HCM,
This is a typical food allergy and the rash following soya and egg intake indicates that it is food related. The itching is a common feature of allergy and you have rightly taken cetrizine as an antihistaminic , but 10mg would have been better. If the itching and rash is not relieved in next 20 minutes and if spreading further then you may require a shot of hydrocortisone injection , for which you would have to visit the ER.

THIS IS NOT CONTAGIOUS , so please you can get out of bathroom and also seek help of your wife.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sameer Kumar (10 minutes later)

thanks so much for your response at this odd hour. the rashes and itching have subsided. I would hv taken 10 mg Cetrizine but got panicked. what next now. should I go for the injection or follow further medication? do I need to avoid protein rich foods like soya and eggs? any Investigations to get to the root cause?

Answered by Dr. Sameer Kumar (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
answered

Detailed Answer:
If the rashes have subsided then you stand treated of the attack . And yes you should avoid soya and egg combination for they have triggered the attack. You can relax now and if need be tomorrow you may opt for allergy screen blood test which shall help you learn your allergies.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sameer Kumar (12 hours later)

could u kindly specify the allergy tests as I can't find the exact package on any pathology site. is it CBC? Also, who do you refer as an 'ER'? dermatologist? I have recently started homeopathic treatment for hair fall with Dr Batra. could that hv a bearing? thanks

Answered by Dr. Sameer Kumar (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Answered

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Homeopathy is usually free of side effects , so really cant be labelled as cause for rash.
Secondly ER= emergency room or casualty.
Thirdly, you may ask at LAL PATH LABS for ALLERGY SCREENING and they shall be able to help you with it., both screen A and B.
I hope you are fine now.
regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar