LE and Allergies

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ducky113
ducky113 Member Posts: 18
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I have seasonal allergies and noticed that when they come on, my arm LE flares up. I also had some LE flare up with a cold this past winter.

Is anyone else's LE affected by a cold or allergy? Any recommendation on what OTC medications would be best and not add to the LE?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2013

    Ducky, welcome here but we're all sorry for the reason you had to come.

    Im not sure about the cold but yes I can comment on allergies. Now Im in NZ so my advice on exact medications will probably not be beneficial so others may come in on that. It is important if your allergies drive you crazy with itching, which is usually the case, to see your Doctor about which ointments which are right for you because a lot of them will be hydrocortisone based. These vary in strength and my understanding it's important to not have these any stronger than you need but rashes and such need dealing with ASAP. I have battles with these but my ointments have kept me out of trouble so far.

    It's also important to deal with any itching as soon as possible as you can scratch and then it can become infected with a real risk of getting cellulitis. You DONT want this life threatening conditioning.

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  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited May 2013

    I am also wondering if there is a connection...I had rashes and welts that sent me to the emergency room.i went to an allergy dr for all kinds of tests and the only thing I came up positive for was lavender..I still get breakouts but not like the first one.I am on prednisone and Benadryl for the itching.This started in March so I'm weening off the meds now

    But yesterday my trunkel LE started acting up.Its been about a yr.that I have been fine.

    Now I'm just wondering if there is a connection.hmmmmmm.

    Very interesting and I would love to hear what others have to say.

    I wish you the very best And thank you for starting this thread.

    And yes I'm in pain even tho I'm stage 0

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited May 2013

     am also wondering if there is a connection...I had rashes and welts that sent me to the emergency room.

    I think so!

    Granny I have fair skin, but it was never sensitive- never had an allergy rash.

    Since the LE, I get red welts out of nowhere!

    I am currently battling with a 'mystery rash' which I have seen 2 drs about.  It is preventing me from doing my MLD  (its on the chest/neck area of course )

    It cannot be coincedence. I have never had skin rashes before.  Now I use Eucerin calming cream many times a  day.

    Good Luck!

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited May 2013

    I think it's all the repetitive arm motion of lifting the arm to cough into the crook of our elbow, as we're taught to do these days.  Just kidding. I have a cold now (thank you, nameless faceless airline passenger!) AND I have pollen allergies, so have all those symptoms, but I don't think the LE is any worse for either condition. Barometric changes from the thunderboomers going on, yes, but not the cold or allergy.  Others may well have a different experience, of course!

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  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited May 2013

    Hello purple.

    I'm so shocked because I do have some allergy but never had that kinda rash...and I'm not fair skinned it this connection made me stop and think....I'm allergic to hair dye,mascara,penicillin,strawberries and oil of clove...when I had caps put in my mouth I had a rash all over the inside of my mouth.All this and I never made the connection with the LE...kinda scary.....especially that the rash came after I had stomach surgery way back in March...now the LE is acting up...I am very careful with that arm..doin all the right things(so I thought)

    Now what?

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited May 2013

    I have had allergies for many moons, had sinus surgery in 03 (too many sinus infections) and the ENT guy gave me scripts for alegra and singular.  I still take singular and can not sleep with out it.  I have switched the alegra to zyrtec for the last number of  years.

    Now, is it worse this year?  everyone I know is complaining about allergies this year and me included!  Some things you may try are saline rinses as if you are allegic to pollen, it basically washes the inside of your nose!  I am now trying local honey but not sure yet if it helps.

    But is it connected to LE?  not for me, sorry

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited May 2013

    Grannydukes, we have had women here report that when they've needed Benadryl their LE seemed to improve. That's strictly anecdotal and there's no research to back it up. But it does make me wonder about your recent flare, and whether it might be related at least somewhat to weaning off the Benadryl.

    Just a thought,
    Binney

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  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited May 2013

    Binney--im still on benadryl its the prednisone that im weening off and when i checked the s/e of the weening there was not a connection...this is so confusing..

    I was taking benadryl 2-3x a day.today i didnt take any....maybe i should...

    im really confused.

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