An allergic reaction to a substance may cause a number of symptoms, including hives, rash and swelling. You may have localized symptoms that appear, for example, on your face, or you may have symptoms in multiple locations such as your eyelids and feet. The symptoms you have, as well as the location of the symptoms, will help your doctor determine the cause for your condition. Knowing some of the causes and how to treat the condition will help you talk with your doctor.
Food Allergy
A food allergy may cause swelling and hives on multiple areas of your body. You could experience additional symptoms, and these may include stomach pain or upset, nasal congestion or difficulty breathing.
Common food allergens include nuts such as peanuts, as well as eggs and shellfish. You could have a reaction to any food, however. If you have not had a food reaction previously you may not know the food you reacted to. Your doctor may recommend a blood test or a scratch test on your skin to determine the food or multiple foods your body cannot tolerate.
Contact Dermatitis
If you touch a plant, chemical or other product that causes an allergic reaction, you may have a condition called contact dermatitis. Potential causes include contact with poison oak or ivy, topical medications, metals, detergents and lotions.
The multiple locations of your symptoms could indicate that you rubbed your eye and that your feet also came in contact with the allergen. In many cases, the hives or rash you experience will also itch or turn red.
As with a food allergy, if you do not know the allergen that caused your reaction your doctor may recommend a scratch test to detect the chemicals or plants that create a reaction.
Treatment
Mild facial swelling and hives from a food allergy may resolve with the use of an over-the-counter antihistamine or other allergy medication. In the case of a severe allergy that causes pronounced swelling around your eyes or results in difficulty breathing, seek medical attention quickly. If you experience frequent reactions to foods your doctor may recommend that you carry an epinephrine injection with you at all times to prevent airway closure or other serious complications.
If you suspect that you came in contact with a plant or chemical that caused a skin reaction, gently wash the area to eliminate the contaminant. Your doctor may recommend a cream to help reduce irritation and swelling, but you may need to avoid using the cream on your eyelids since the product may come in contact with your eye’s surface and cause irritation. If you continue to have a reaction your doctor may prescribe an oral medication to help resolve your symptoms.
Considerations
Talk to your doctor if you experience unusual symptoms such as hives and swelling on one or more areas of your body. Your doctor will help you determine the cause for your symptoms, and she will recommend a treatment that will help reduce complications associated with your symptoms and condition. You should not wait to contact your doctor since prompt treatment could prevent worsening of these symptoms.
