Tree Allergy?

[noodles]

Not sure if this is the place to post this, but I believe it happened in the garden so here it is. Mods feel free to move this if you think it should be somewhere else.


I know you can be allergic to tree pollen, I actually get this really bad in the spring and fall. Very itchy red eyes, running nose, scratchy throat. However, that's not what I'm talking about here.

Two days ago (Saturday) I dug up a 10 foot cedar tree out of my yard. I was trying not to wreck it as it was being moved to my in-laws house. I ended up getting it out after a few hours but the branches were all over me and I had a fair bit of sap all over my hands. I dealt with it, took a shower and everything was good. I got quite a few small cuts all over my arms and legs and they stung quite bad in the shower that day and even yesterday.

I am now breaking out in hives over my face (cheeks and eyelids), arms, legs and even areas around my groin which were obviously not exposed while taking out the tree. It's been two days since I pulled out the tree so I don't know if that's what did this but it's the only thing I can think of.

Does anyone know if a Cedar tree can cause this kind of reaction on someone? I obviously have some sort of allergies since I do get it seasonal allergies quite bad.

Even more so, does anyone have some cures for this? I've taken two Claritin since I got home from work tonight but that usually takes a while to build up in your system (why I took 2) before it does anything.

Thanks.

[t3359]

I had tree pollen allergies - if I recall correctly, tree pollen was mainly towards the beginning of summer (until June/July). I don't remember seeing coniferous trees on the list, and this website doesn't mention them either:

http://allergies.emedtv.com/tree-pollen-allergy/tree-pollen-allergy.html

Perhaps you're allergic to something else? Grass or ragweed? I'm in Toronto, so I don't know the pollen profile for B.C., but you can check here:

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/pollenfx/POYVR/cabc0323

good luck...
bjl

[noodles]

I don't know if it's the pollen, as that would cause me to be sneezing and have itchy eyes, which I don't have at all right now. It's the hives that are making life miserable right now. I had the branches/leaves and sap all over me while trying to pull out the tree, I'm wondering if that's what does it??

Thanks for the links, going to check those out.

[Cheap Cat]

You can develop allergies at any time to things that previously didn't bother you, so it could be anything. If nothing else has changed, it is likely from the sap. Make sure that you wash everything that may have come in contact with it including your clothing and bedding. Make sure you clean under your finger nails as well as there could be sap still under there. With hives, you will be itchy all over. Personally, Claritin doesn't do much for me. Take some Benedryl before bed tonight. It will also make you drowsy, which is why I say take it before bed. If your hives are anything like the hives I've had, you will need the help getting to sleep. If it gets worse, go to your doctor and may be he can give you something stronger. If you feel any swelling in your throat or difficulty breathing, call 911 or have someone take you to emergency as it could be a life threatening reaction.