Latest news with #hypersensitivity
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
After Decades of Mysterious Pain, I Finally Got the Diagnosis That Changed My Life
I have a busy and fulfilling life: I teach writing classes, I mentor a young girl, and I volunteer at my local history museum. I also have great group of supportive friends. But it wasn't always this way. I have struggled with chronic pain almost my entire life. The first time I recall feeling pain, I was three years old. My bones felt like they were being crushed at night, and I screamed in agony. Mystified, my parents took me to many doctors, including more than a dozen specialists. The diagnosis? Hypersensitivity to pain, and hyperallergic to everything. They told my parents give me Benadryl when I had a painful 'allergy attack,' as they called it. Bu it was so much more than that. Growing up in pain By age nine, I had daily headaches. Benadryl and Tylenol barely worked. I couldn't play outside with my friends because I got painful welts from the sun. My hip and arm joints ached constantly. A growth spurt at ten triggered more screaming episodes, so we went back to more doctors. Again, no answers. My parents believed me, but by twelve, we still had no diagnosis, and I had shingles–twice. The doctor didn't do any tests. He dismissed me with, 'You're the most stressed-out seventh grader I've ever met. Your problems aren't that bad.' I felt defective and terribly alone. After jumping over hurdles in P.E. class popped my knees out of the socket, I saw an orthopedist who handed me an Ace bandage and told me I'd 'grow into my joints.' I never did, and that bandage became my companion throughout high school. College was not an option for me–financially or physically. Crossing campus would hurt. So I began working, managing nonprofits, but the cycle repeated: work, get sick, lose my job, start over. It curtailed my career, and my dreams of travel became early flights home and canceled plans. My body revolted. By my thirties, my symptoms included electric nerve shocks, severe neuropathy, tremors, and agonizing spasms. Sitting made my legs painfully numb. I was desperate, until a relative suggested I try the Mayo Clinic, which is local to me in Arizona. The doctors there were shocked at my thin frame and gaunt gaze. I saw over fifteen specialists there, because every system in my body was involved. The doctors suspected I had an autoimmune disease, but my case was so complex they couldn't pinpoint a cause. At thirty-two, I started experiencing intense stomach cramps, vomiting, and joint pain. Since I had no official diagnosis, there was no recommended treatment, and no one would prescribe pain medicine without a diagnosis. Turning a corner My mom moved in to care for me, and with her gentle presence, she gave me a renewed sense of hope. I had the courage to keep going. Her unconditional love and unwavering support propped me up. Another helpful moment was when my doctors suggested I try medical cannabis. Within a week, the stomach pain eased, but I still experienced joint and nerve pain. At that point, a doctor finally prescribed pain medication, which brought some relief. I also returned to childhood coping tools. Growing up in a New Age household, I used meditation and biofeedback (visualization of the pain leaving). They don't erase the pain, but they do allow me to take a mental step back from it. Then, things changed when, after all those years, I finally had a name for my condition: The doctors at Mayo discovered I had mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and afterward, they diagnosed me with multiple chronic conditions, including chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), small fiber neuropathy (SFN), piriformis syndrome, and hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) MCAS explained so much. It's a condition in which mast cells—the body's first responders—go haywire and release floods of inflammatory chemicals. It worsens everything else, including my nerve and joint pain. Finally getting diagnosed and knowing what was happening in my body was life changing. It wasn't just a diagnosis, it was validation. I had been treated like a mystery to solve or problem to dismiss. Now doctors came to me with solutions and a treatment plan. Most importantly, it renewed my sense of hope. I could begin to heal. Moving forward with hope In 2022, after losing my mom and close family members, I needed connection. I wanted to help people who are suffering silently. I co-founded The Chronic Haven, a nonprofit peer support group for people living with chronic illness and pain. We offer online support meetings, game nights, creative classes, and more. This is where I found my tribe, and it brings me so much joy. Finally, at 45, I was approved for intravenous immunoglobulin immunotherapy (IVIG) for CIDP/SFN. Every two weeks, I receive donor antibodies that help rebuild the myelin sheaths around my nerves. It's helping immensely. I have much to live for today. I have a better quality of life. I look forward to IVIG days, because that means I am one step close to being better. I am happy today, with supportive friends and a good team of doctors in place. I have found my smile again. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Medscape
4 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Novel Tool May Predict NSAID Hypersensitivity
TOPLINE: A new risk stratification tool known as CA4TCH — which relies solely on clinical history — could help predict which patients with a suspected hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) will have a hypersensitivity confirmed during a drug provocation test. METHODOLOGY: To develop and validate CA4TCH, researchers conducted a retrospective study of 1035 patients who presented with suspected NSAID hypersensitivity at the allergy unit of the University Hospital of Montpellier in Montpellier, France, between February 2001 and December 2020 and underwent drug provocation testing. Using elements of the clinical history — including sex; age at the last reaction; reaction onset ≤ 24 hours; whether the last reaction occurred in the past 5 years; history of anaphylaxis or respiratory symptoms; reactions to two or more drug classes; reaction to aspirin; and comorbid atopy, asthma, sinus disease, or chronic spontaneous urticaria — the team constructed a risk score to predict the presence of a drug hypersensitivity reaction. They then validated the risk score in an independent cohort of 69 participants from the University Hospital of Tours, Tours, France. TAKEAWAY: Overall, 232 (22.4%) participants had at least one positive result during drug provocation testing, whereas 803 (77.6%) did not react to the suspected culprit NSAIDs. The CA4TCH tool had a sensitivity of 78.4%, specificity of 70.4%, and positive and negative predictive values of 43.3% and 91.9%, respectively. Among participants with a negative result, the model successfully delabeled 565 of 803 cases (70.4%). In these cases, past symptoms commonly included angioedema, urticaria, or pruritus. External validation showed comparable predictive performance. IN PRACTICE: 'Given existing variation in testing protocols across clinical centers, the fact that the CA4TCH score is based on clinical history elements alone means it can be used to generate a prediction for any individual upon presentation and could thus constitute a practical tool to be used alongside or as part of existing phenotype classifications,' the authors of the study wrote. SOURCE: Ileana-Maria Ghiordanescu, MD, PhD, with the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, was the corresponding author of the study, which was published online on July 16 in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. LIMITATIONS: Fixed drug eruptions were underrepresented in the study, and the researchers did not consider food allergy phenotypes because they lacked information about food sensitization. DISCLOSURES: Some authors reported receiving financial support, including grants, consulting fees, honoraria, or support for attending meetings, from institutions and pharmaceutical companies. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Medscape
10-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
A 10-Year-Old Presents With ‘Itchy Bumps' on His Extremities
A 10-year-old boy presented to the dermatology clinic for evaluation of 'itchy bumps' on the arms and legs over several months. The child is medically well with a history of mild asthma. The exam shows erythematous papules and vesicles on the upper and lower extremities, along with scattered crusted lesions and hypopigmented ring lesions (Figures 1 and 2). Figure 1. Figure 2. The correct diagnosis is bug bite hypersensitivity. Discussion The clinical evaluation showed several scattered erythematous papules that appeared in a linear morphology, along with scattered vesicles. The vesicles had clear fluid, without purulence (Figure 2). These clinical findings suggest a clinical diagnosis of hypersensitivity to bug bites, also known as papular urticaria. The pattern on the arms is consistent with the 'breakfast, lunch, and dinner' sign of bug bite reactions (Figure 1). Both flea bites and mosquito bites can elicit a skin reaction that typically consists of edematous papules with associated pruritus. There are two phases to the reaction: immediate and delayed. The immediate reaction results in an edematous, erythematous papule within 20-30 minutes of the mosquito bite. The delayed reaction results in pruritic papules for up to 1-3 days. These itchy papules can cause sequela such as possible scarring, hyperpigmentation, and infection from secondary excoriations. Typically, they do not cause systemic reactions, but this can occur in rare occurrences. Hypersensitivity reactions may result in vesicles that can range from 1-2 mm up to several centimeters in size. Other arthropods, such as bedbugs, may cause similar lesions. It is thought that the mechanism of action is an immunologic response elicited from an anticoagulant in mosquito saliva. The exposure activates mast cells via immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibodies; however, some findings also demonstrate recruitment of non-IgE mediated immune responses. In a small subset of individuals, an amplified immune response can occur, causing a large local reaction, defined as an erythematous wheal larger than 5 mm. These individuals are thought to have mosquito allergy. One study found that children with atopy were more likely to have amplified reactions to mosquito bites: 35% of those with mosquito allergy had atopy compared with only 12% of control subjects ( P <.001). Additionally, 32% of children with intense bite reactions were found to have other atopic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, or eczema. Skeeter syndrome is a large, local inflammatory response to mosquito bites that is usually accompanied by fever and lymphadenopathy Additionally, studies have shown that there is evidence of varying human susceptibility to mosquito bites and associated itch. Monozygotic and dizygotic twin studies have demonstrated that there is a stronger genetic association to mosquito bite susceptibility in identical twins. This suggests that the relationship between genetics, skin microbiome, and body odor can alter mosquito attractivity to individuals. An important consideration when approaching management of hypersensitivity to bug bites is avoidance. Mosquitoes are found near areas with standing water because of their life cycle. Therefore, avoiding these areas and increasing physical barriers with protective clothing and mosquito nets is useful in decreasing mosquito bites. Insect repellants, including DEET, can be highly effective but in rare cases can cause adverse reactions. The mainstay treatment for mosquito bites is second-generation antihistamines and topical steroids. It may also be reasonable to treat with topical mupirocin if signs of impetigo are present. Management of fleas often includes treating pets and applying household treatments, which can include vacuuming and washing of bedding and carpets, and pest control services. The differential diagnoses for hypersensitivity to bug bites can share similarities in presentation, but ultimately there are key differences in the morphology and clinical course. Allergic contact dermatitis is a type of skin inflammation mediated by an allergic response after exposure to a substance. It typically presents as an eczematous dermatitis with vesicles, oozing, crusting, and sometimes bullae formation in areas of the skin with direct exposure to the allergen. Given this presentation, the location and morphology are often signs of this reaction, such as a rash on the wrist after wearing nickel-containing items or linear streaks from brushing against poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. Cellulitis is caused by a bacterial infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue introduced via a break in the superficial skin. It presents as an area of well-defined erythema associated with pain, swelling, and warmth. Folliculitis is caused by inflammation that affects hair follicles. Because this process targets the hair follicle unit, folliculitis typically presents as small, itchy, erythematous papules in areas with significant hair growth that can progress into erythematous pustules. Varicella is characterized by an acute fever and widespread pruritic erythematous papules that progress into vesicles on an erythematous base ('dewdrop on a rose petal') before finally crusting.
WebMD
09-07-2025
- Health
- WebMD
When Passing Gas Is a Struggle in MS
At first, I thought it was just an isolated incident. I even thought I was making it up. But then, it happened again. I couldn't burp. The walls of my esophagus were stuck together. I figured, this ain't normal. Now what is this? I always knew that MS had affected my 'tubes' because I feel things inside that other people don't. Hypersensitivity isn't just on the surface of my skin but also internally. I noticed it first when I got pregnant with my second baby, when I still didn't know I had multiple sclerosis. But that's a story for another day. Of course, when I mentioned this to my doctor, he didn't validate what I was saying. He gave me that look again, like I had six heads. Ugh, it's so irritating! Then I remembered that I'm the one living with MS, not him. What does he know? I can't even associate this with a particular food or anything else that could possibly cause this bizarre symptom. It's not a constant issue, but it's definitely real. I know that it's as if my esophagus is contracted or something, and I have to force the burp. I have to pretend that I'm burping for my esophagus to react, and then I burp for real. Now, burping is not the only problem I have with passing gas. I also struggle with flatulence. I know, I'm a mess! It's simply impossible for me to 'break wind' without some help. What do I mean by that? Well, here's where it gets funny as hell. I need to manually crank it to 'let it out.' Hilarious! Oh, I can't stop laughing! I should've included this in my three-part blog series about weird symptoms of MS. At least I know I'm not alone on this one because I saw a video of another MSer that struggles to break wind as well. So chill, I'm not that weird. LOL! Spasticity and weakness in the pelvic floor muscles are associated with problems passing gas. This causes what is known as trapped gas. The anal sphincter, in charge of opening and closing the anus, is included in the pelvic floor muscles group. MS can also affect our lower gut, as changes in the nervous system impact the gastrointestinal functions. During the process of digestion, the muscles in the esophagus, stomach, intestines, and rectum need to contract and relax. These involuntary contractions are called GI motility. Because MS interrupts the transmission of signals from our brain through our spinal cord to our digestive system, it slows down these movements and causes bowel dysfunction. Ever since these issues started I've been having very loud, almost vocal, intestinal movements. You could hear it from a mile away. It's loud, prolonged, and comical. Frankly, it is quite amusing and entertaining. Oh, we all laugh so hard when it happens! I almost forgot to mention my also loud voicebox or larynx. Oh my, this is ridiculous! Out of nowhere, this noise comes out of my throat inadvertently. Turns out that weak throat muscles involved in problems swallowing, or dysphagia, are related to these throat gurgles. I would've never imagined, not in a million years, that I would be living through these things one day. What happened to me? How did I get to this point? It's super funny, but also super embarrassing. All these physiological changes MS has put me through were completely unexpected. I wasn't prepared for any of this. I've been learning as I go. The reason why I share these experiences in my blog is because I'm sure there's someone out there just as puzzled as me, going through the same things. In the real world, among the 'healthy ones,' this would be considered super weird. Our symptomatology is so different from others that we tend to not bring it up in any conversation out of fear of being embarrassed. But unfortunately, these are part of those invisible symptoms we have with multiple sclerosis that people have no idea we are dealing with. Then, the non-validation or so-called gaslighting we sometimes get from our own medical providers — just because they can't connect the dots or because they read about it in a book but they have no idea what it feels like — adds to the frustration. These dysfunctions are well explained in the literature, but they could present themselves in various odd ways and still have the same source. But if you haven't felt it in your own flesh and bones, you'll be clueless. I never thought I could be so blunt. Opening up about this kind of thing gives me the validation my doctors won't. It also, in a way, makes me feel empowered. Why? Because I know now that there's so much more to multiple sclerosis than what any book or study can say. And that is something only I as a patient can testify to.
