Horrible Allergic Reaction!

You will never believe what it was from!!

It's my X-mas tree!!!! Saturday night DH and I put our tree up. I was sticking my arms inside the tree to put the lights in it and I was getting scratched by the pine needles. I didn't think anything of it. Well, I woke up Sunday morning, my eyes were swollen shut and I had hives from head to toe (except for the sensitive areas, THANK GOD!). My legs aren't too bad but my arms and chest are covered!

I went to the Doc today and she stuck me with a needle (HATE THEM). I've been taking Benadryl (50mg) every 4 hours and 1 Zyrtec every 12 hours.

Does anyone have any recommendations to something I can put on my skin? I tryed Benadryl Extra Stregth, Calomine Lotion and today I tryed Cortizone 10. None of them seem to be working that great. Any one know of anything else I could try?

I would say the calomine lotion or Aveno bath too. For me, the Benadryl pill helps the most. This may sound weird, but you could also try white vinegar. Hope you feel better!

My sister and niece are allergic to Xmas trees too. My sister knew she was but they just found out that my niece is too -- she was covered in hives as well last week.

The doctor just said to keep pumping her with benadryl and cold compress to help sooth the itching. It took about 48 hours for it to go down.

Also keep pressure off your arms -- pressure makes hives pop out more.

You can also try witch hazel.

Try sarna lotion. they make a sensitive skin version - unless you really do have sensitive skin, get the regular one. the sensitive skin one doesn't have menthol in it, which really cools the skin and takes the itch away. I love that stuff!

Julieann, hope you feel better soon!!! When I was a kid, I'd get an ear infection every Christmas; Turned out I was allergic to real evergreen trees!!!
Mary MOB