allergic skin rash and itch stopping medicine

Whenever I am facing an approaching big relocation (interstate or international) and right after relocation, I will have an episode of skin rash as far as I can remember since I immigrated to the US some twenty years ago.    I guess the stress associated with big changes weakens my immune system. As I am shopping for a house for over three months and my moving deadline is near, it gets into me.   First, a few red spots appear on my face. I didn’t pay much attention, thinking it was probably mosquito bites.  

Then, I try to clear up my pantry, eating a can of sardine purchased from Costco each day. And as I experiment to eat or drink something new, purchasing a case of beer from Costco for the first time in my life, and opening one can each day to quench the anxiety accompanying the impending big move and the scorching summer in Missouri. Before I knew it,  skin rash started to spread around my neck, arms, and face.

I wasn’t sure what causes it and didn’t give it too many thoughts, thinking it would go away after a few days. To my dismay, it stays and all flare-up, starting to bother my sleep. Untill then, I guess the culprit must be food—food allergy, probably the beer or the canned sardine, or both. It was believed that seafood and beer combined will cause some poisoning effects.

I began to search for the skin rash causes and partially confirmed that it must be a food allergy. since I couldn’t sleep, I walked into the neighborhood Walgreen to get anti-itching medicine. First, following the internet advice, I got Cortisone-10 cream, which claims that anti-itching will last over 10 hours. Unfortunately, it had no effect on me.  On the contrary, the itching started to spread all over my whole arms, chest, and face.  All areas were burning and the temperature is obviously higher than in other parts of my body.

I Walked into the same Walgreen store again, desperate as I was drowned in needling pain. A store clerk was very helpful, recommending another itch-stopping cream (Benadryl brand) that contains diphenhydramine hydrochloride.  Right after I paid for the cream, I opened it and put on a thick cream on both arms and neck, along with it high hope that I would be able to sleep well.

The next day, the area with burning goosebumps was doubled as if my body is allergic to the anti-allergic cream!    By now I gave up the cream,  I guess these creams only try to suppress the symptoms. but whatever the chemicals the body produces in response to the allergic source has to find a way out. Because the cream impeded this process, they have to find new outlets. The result is more burning goosebumps on the body.  

The more effective way to curb the itching at night is to use a cloth soaked with cool water and wrapped it around my arms and other infected areas —-in other ways, using the physical method, not chemical one like the store-purchased creams.  Continuing with this method, I was able to get some sleep at night. And the flared-up skin seems to calm down somewhat. Hopefully, it will naturally fade in one week or so.

Suggestions for allergic skin rash: stop eating or drinking suspicious food sources, and use physical methods to cool your skin. Once the skin is cool, itches will abate. Do not rash to drug stores and buy anti-itch cream or spray. You may be allergic to them. Since those creams or sprays only try to suppress itch, they may cause the infection area to spread. If the symptoms continue, seek help from your physician.