Hives due to excessive salt intake?

[Nonie]

I'm not sure if what I have is hives but my face is swollen, has a rash and looks a little red, and I have a burning sensation as if someone scrubbed my face with a rough cloth. I haven't changed my soap or lotion, and the only thing I can think of that may have caused it (the only "new" thing I ate) is a beef roast which had been coated with Montreal Steak Seasoning before being put in a freezer bag and frozen. (I have never done this before but thought it'd be a cool way to "marinate" the meat http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/look.gif so that I don't have to do much on the day I bake/roast it. The meat was a little saltier than I like when done...and a short while after dinner, when I went to wash my face as I do every night, my face was burning and I thought I noticed swelling. In the morning, the rash was unmistakably visible and my face still looks fat and feels sore.

The only other time I had a similar experience was when I was staying with a Jamaican family and they served salt fish http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/lick.gif . My face (esp lips) swelled like crazy after dinner -- which was a surprise to me because until then, I'd never had a problem with any food. (I didn't even know then that I had a sensitivity to milk or anything else; and it may very well be, I never did at the time.)

In both cases, the meat had been pre-treated with salt (or a very salty spice-mix, in the case of the beef) way before being cooked. I'm wondering if salt reacts with protein to create sth that is allergenic (I hope that's a word http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )... http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif BTW, I did eat salt fish a few years after that first experience and I was OK. So I no longer think I have a problem with salt fish...unless it's a type of "salting" process? http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry3.gif

If anyone has any idea what's going on, please share. I recently had an allergy test done and the only foods out of almost 200 foods tested that I appeared to have sensitivities to are eggs, cow's milk (and products - cheese), lettuce, brewer's yeast, pineapples, and bananas.

I've applied nothing but aloe vera gel on my face today and it seems to have soothed it a touch. I wouldn't mind any other recommendations on a topical natural remedy.

Thank you in advance everyone. http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/kiss.gif

[vickid]

I had a SEVERE case of hives 2 weeks ago and it was no joke!Go to the Dr or dermatologist quickly because hives can cause scarring. I was prescribed a cortisone cream, told to use Cetaphil cleanser and lotion. I got 2 cortisone injections and 1 injection for pain. I am now dealing with some slight hyperpigmentation on my cheeks (DRATS!) Again, go to the Dr. quickly!!!! Good luck

[nolechik]

Hey Nonie...sorry about your breakout. I have the same condition (swelling of hands/feet/lip) sporadically & I've been to 3 Dr's who still can't figure out what causes this to happen. I have found through this difficult process that Benadryl tablets help tremendously!!!!! I just take the recommended daily dosage until the swelling goes away. You can even get the generic brand (which is what I use most of the time). Just make sure the brand you decide to pick up has diphenhydramine in the tablets. This is a anti-histamine which is known to reduce swelling. As far as the hives, like vickid said....a cortisone shot can help, but again if you're strapped for cash, you can buy the cream (at your local drugstore) and apply it to the desginated area.

I hope this helps ya out! http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Nonie]

Thanks for your responses, ladies. I did go to my allergist's office and although he wasn't in, a nurse checked me for internal swelling, checked my BP and breathing and heart-rate...all normal. I must confess, I don't know if it's hives or not, so I apologize for making assumptions. I just have a swollen face with little tiny pimples (a rash) and my face feels raw...and I started to feel cold and shaky. The nurse suggested I take 25-50 mg Benadryl every six hours. She also said that excess sodium can cause an allergic reaction. http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif I guess I will just have to be more careful from now on. I have always said I'll cut salt out of my diet because really one doesn't need to add it to any food. Guess this is the rude awakening I needed. I did find sth online about iodine, which is an additive to salt, being an allergen. Oh well...

I'll let you know how I feel tomorrow. Thanks so much for your thoughts and kind wishes. But one thing I do know, no more mixed spices in jars for me. I'll do the mixing myself.