I know I'm not allergic to the sun or whatever but it seems a few hours after tanning I get hives all over my arms and legs and I've ruled out the tanning bed cleaner b/c i'd have a rash on my back etc etc.. anyhow the only thing i can attribute it to is the tanning lotion. I also have bad itching. Is it normal for an allergic reaction to only show up a few hours after contact with lotion. And is it normal to have a rapid heart beat that has lasted a couple days after the exposure to the lotion ? Thanks in advance for the help \nPam
208897
Actually, it is a very common occurance to have an allergic reaction to extreme sunlight.  It may be completely isolated or over the entire body.\n\nThe lotion is also a good possibility.  There may be chemicals in the lotion that you are sensitive to.\n\nEither way, you should discontinue both until you can be evaluated.  Getting Hives/Wheals over your body is just the start of an allergic reaction.  It could get much worse with ZERO notice.  Throat swelling, Anaphalyxis, death, etc.  Persons with bee stings see much of the same symptioms the first time they are stung.  Thereafter, it progressively gets worse.\n\nAs for a rapid heartrate, very common.  One of the defense mechinisms that the body has for allergic reactions is Adrenylin.  Same thing as an Epi pen.  Fight or flight.  Body is defending itself.\n\nConsidering you had this for several days afterward, I can not put enough emphasis on NOT doing either until you find what you are sensitive too.  See a DR.  Get evaluated.
297937
It could have been an allergic reaction, it could also have been a reaction to the salicylic acid in the Neutrogena product.  High concentrations of salicylic acid can cause your skin to turn red.  I would check with your dermatologist.
164708
I had an allergic reaction to Neutrogena build-a-tan.  I'd say try the Jergens one (everybody seems to rave about it) but spot test it first (somewhere where it won't be noticed) to make sure you're not allergic to it.
165007
It could be an allergic reaction.  Try some hydrocrodisone cream to help with the inflammation.  If it doesn't reduce the redness and the itching, you may want to go to a dermatologist and see if it's something you need to have looked at.  Have you ever had eczema?
591683
It sounds like hives, an allergic reaction to something, also known as contact dermatitis.  These hives can last up to 6 weeks!  I know I got them on my legs from god knows what.  If they get worse or if they are just bugging you you should see a doc and they can give you oral and/or topical medication to clear it up.
128468
sounds like an allergy to me.  take off all jewellery for a few days and see if it goes away.  I can only wear jewellery that is pure gold or i break out in a rash too. good excuse to get some nice bits of gold though.
257471
My first reaction is that, for some reason, your skin is drying out.  It doesn't sound like an actual allergic reaction, but it could be.  An allergy (which is what allergic means) is an immune response to a foreign antigen that results in inflammation and organ dysfunction. Allergies range from the life-threatening to the annoying, and include systemic anaphylaxis (A reaction between IgE antibodies bound to mast cells and an allergen that causes the sudden release of immunological mediators in the skin, respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems. The consequences may range from mild (e.g, itching, hives) to life-threatening (airway obstruction and shock).), laryngeal edema (Swelling of the larynx, usually resulting from allergic reaction and causing airway obstruction unless treated.), transfusion reactions, bronchospasm, vasculitis (Inflammation of blood vessels), angioedema (swelling in of skin, mucous membranes, or internal organs), urticaria (Multiple swollen raised areas on the skin that are intensely itchy and last up to 24 hr; they may appear primarily on the chest, back, extremities, face, or scalp.), eczematous dermatitis (itchy red rash that initially weeps or oozes serum and may become crusted, thickened, or scaly), hay fever, rhinitis (runny nose), and conjunctivitis (eye infection).  \n\nI would discontinue use and contact your doctor to make sure.
486819
I hope you shall feel better.\nYour skin sensitivity could be due to your immune system fighting/isolating the wrong thing. You should definitely see your doctor, even an over the phone conversation with your doc. could help you get a better understanding of the situation.\nAll the best
112066
Are you sure you are allergic to the water itself rather than something IN the water? I ask because it is odd that it would only affect you on the outside, because I would think being allergic to the water itself would cause reactions internally too.\n\nI'm personally allergic to chlorine (and bromine), so I can't go swimming in pools or I break out in a horrible rash.  I also get a small amount of eczema from taking showers (the amount of eczema is directly proportional to the amount of chlorine in the water).  Since I don't generally drink pool water, I don't have problems drinking tap water. But chlorine in the air makes me sick (from pools or cleaning solutions).\n\nI have actually heard of someone being allergic to water, on I think Ripley's believe it or not.  But she would get hives from crying, and she couldn't drink water either. She could drink juice or milk though if I recall correctly.
320895
If you're using a condom, you might be allergic to latex or spermacide.  If you're not using a condom, it's actually possible to be allergic to semen.  Having a allergic reaction that shows up on your face doesn't necessarily mean that whatever you're allergic to was touching your face, cause hives are a systemic reaction (i.e. you're whole body is reacting to it, so the hives could show up anywhere).\n\nYou should talk to your doctor, cause allergic reactions tend to increase in severity over time, and can be extremely dangerous.
442195
Until you can get to the doc, have a bottle of Benedryl with you take one whenever the symptoms arise (take 2 if symptoms are bad). However the Benedryl will make you drowsy, so be careful if you are driving. I developed an allergy out of nowhere from one day to the next, so even if you haven't come into contact or eaten anything new, you can suddenly have a reaction... You live in Cal, so it's gonna be hard, but I was told to wear long sleeves and not be in direct sunlight until I saw the Doc. Heat can trigger an allergic reaction (I live in Montreal...easier to stay cool!). Try taking luke warm, cool shower, maybe without soap/body gel and see what happens. Good luck!
54180
I had something similar on the back of my arm. Do you have dry skin? My doctor said it was due to dry skin. Dead skin builds up aroud a hair folicle and it creates a sort of rash. Try light exfoliation in the shower, followed by baby oil on wet skin.
286611
I have had chronic urticaria for as long as I can remember, and it has gotten worse as I have gotten older (I am 20) I finally went to the doctor, thinking maybe I could get allergy shots and fix my itchiness. This is when the doctor (who is an allergist/immunologist) told me I have urticaria.  I take Singulair (often prescribed for allergies) in the morning, and Ranitidine (often used for heartburn, but it works for both conditions because it is a histamine blocker) This does not completly stop all my breakouts, but it seems to help quite a bit.  There are many different causes, and it may be impossible to find out what is causing yours (go to a doctor and see if they can help figure out the cause) Unfortunatly there is no "cure" only medicine to control it.  Besides my preventative meds, I use benedryl or hydrocortisone creams if I have an especially itchy spot.  I don't know what causes it (the doc said that a traditional allergy test won't work for me, my skin will react to the needles themselves, not necessarily the allergens), but I have figured out that stress tends to make things worse (actually having a problem with that right now, it's finals week at college, and I'm a little stressed, and rather itchy). Some people try elimination diets to see if food is a cause, but I'm not quite that desperate (yet).  Sometimes heat or cold can cause it. Cold doesn't do it to me, but heat sometimes seems to make things worse, its hard to tell, as I have a rash almost everyday somewhere on my body.  Sometimes pressure can be a cause (my underwires bras cause mine sometimes if I wear them too long, but I know thats not the main cause, because I get them a lot on my arms, and other places that don't have something pressing on them.  I have never gotten hives on the bottom of my feet, but every other part of my body is fair game. It doesn't occur much on my face (thank goodness!) but it does happen every once in a while. (Actually happened today during my Organic Chemistry II final.)  Only once have I had hives so bad that I had to go to the hospital, and that was before I was on meds.  I was in middle school, and my parents had to take me to the ER in the middle of the night because almost my entire body was covered with whelps.  They gave me something IV, but I don't know what it was. Don't remember much about that night.  \nWell, I don't know how much that helps you, but if you want to talk more, just e-mail me amy_edrington@yahoo.com (be sure to put urticaria in the subject so I don't throw it out as junk mail or spam.)\nHope my ramblings were at least a little helpful.  :)
476324
Mine peel sometimes and i was at the dermatologist for a rash which turned out to be ezxima (however thats spelled) and the cream that they perscribed for the rash on my legs I use sparingly on my nipples and it cleared right up. if they get dry i use a little again.\n\nIt most likely a reaction that will pass but try a sterioid cream, like cortizone or get something more intense prescribed by your doctor.\n\nand don't worry about it if its just the skin, the only time to worry is obviously if you feel a lump or if there is discharge.\n\ngood luck
72999
lotion with bronzer in it will make it seem like your skin is really darker than it is, so when the bronze washes away (approx. 5 days) you'll be like wow, wheres my good tan? Hopefully you put on a tanning sticker so you can see when your tan begins fading back to your skin color :)
592217
There are hundreds of different kinds of rashes, and even more causes. We need a lot more information to give any intelligent answers. Does the rash itch? Is it red? Does it change shapes, one part resolving why new ones develop? If so, then you likely have hives, which are usually due to allergy. Hives are caused by the release of histamine by your immune system (mast cells and basophils), and histamine not only causes hives, but can cause gastrointestinal problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal cramping, etc) and headache ("cluster" headache). \n\nYou can look at pictures of all kinds of dermatological problems at this website:  http://dermis.multimedica.de/dermisroot/en/list/all/search.htm Maybe you'll find something which looks like your rash.
435057
My long term medication says that too, and I too am pale, the medicine made me extra-sensitive to sun and i got a burn in august and I still have the tan from it on the tops of my legs and my chest.\nSo my advice is dont go atall, or if you do only go for a litte bit.