This is what an allergy looks like - part 2

I spend my National Day weekend in Batam, upon returning to Singapore I was down with diarrhoea (yes, again). Since charcoal pills didn't do the trick, I found myself at the company clinic once again. The diagnosis this time round was food poisoning since there was alot of activity & gas in my stomach. The prescriptions were to treat stomach discomfort.

The doctor did not specifically state any food which I should avoid hence 4 days after, when I was feeling much better, my mum  cooked vegetables stir-fried with prawns. After consuming a couple of prawns, my eyes started burning. In a couple of minutes, my eye area swelled so severely that I couldn't open my eyes at all. The pain was horrifying & tears started falling uncontrollably. At the same time I was experiencing breathing difficulty as my nose was blocked. The severe bout of coughing which accompanied this allergic attack made me felt out of breath.

I immediately rushed off to the GP & the doctor himself was shocked to see the state I'm in ("I have never seen such severe allergic attacks before"). After taking 2 jabs, the swelling didn't subside & I still couldn't open my eyes properly. But thankfully the cough has stopped & I could breathe normally again. The doctor advised that (1) should the swelling not subside within 8-10hrs OR (2) the swelling does not improve but worsens, I have to visit the ER.

After 24hrs I was still barely recognisable as my eyes were reduced to tiny slits all thanks to the swelling. Recovery took 3-4days & upon doing some reading online, it seems like such allergic reactions will only get more severe with each attack because the body is unable to cope/deal with the toxic reactions. Hence a very lesson for me to take away is whenever I am on medication, I must steer clear of seafood.

Edit 10 Oct 2014 -

After sharing this on Facebook, I received plenty of well wishes & messages from family & friends. Thank you for your heartfelt concern everyone! Also to add, I have been a seafood lover for my entire life, never ever have I experienced any allergic reactions.

For those who are interested to read further, the swelling of the eyes which happened to me is a condition known as Angioedema.

This is what an allergy looks like - part 1

Back in Apr, after returning from my short trip in Phuket, I was down with severe bouts of diarrhoea. Initially I thought nothing of it, my body was flushing itself inside out, no harm with some natural detox. But as the diarrhoea showed no signs of improvement, I had no choice but to drag my feet into the company doctor's clinic. Doctor's diagnosis was viral infection & he prescribed me a couple of drugs including antibiotics, paracetamol & charcoal pills.

Couple days later I was glad that my toilet visits have resumed normalcy, hence I gradually waned off the medication. One fine evening when having dinner at home, I ate prawns & 15mins later, the area around my eyes started to itch & simultaneously started swelling. Tiny bumps started appearing on my eyelids & eyebag. My nose, throat & ears started to itch. I had originally wanted to let the swelling subside by itself but the burning sensation around my eye area felt unbearable.

When it was my turn to see the GP, his diagnosis was that I might be inherently allergic to one of the drugs prescribed for diarrhoea (highest possibility of the culprit being paracetamol) & the prawns were the perfect catalyst to trigger the allergy. Fortunately for me, no permanent dis-figurations from this allergic attack.