Burning, Red, Itchy & Swollen
By Shellyann36
@Shellyann36 (11385)
United States
August 21, 2018 11:36am CST
Ever since I had the allergic reaction to the Keflex that the doctor gave me I have struggled with a rash on my face numerous times. It has been weeks since I took the Keflex and had to go to the emergency room. They gave me a steroid and Benadryl and Pepcid to take for the rash that I had developed. I have taken all of those and still get a rash on my face and neck. I tried OTC Benadryl and it is not working. I may have to go back to the doctor.
This is no fun. The itching could be compared to when you are peeling from a very bad sunburn. My face is swollen on one side and so very red and irritated looking. I am not having any fun here. It seems to be brought on by heat, direct sunlight, and stress.
It seems that I cannot win for losing.
22 people like this
21 responses
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
21 Aug 18
@Courage7 thank you so much. When hubby gets home I am going back to the doctor.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
24 Aug 18
@Courage7 That episode lasted for 24 hours. I have an appointment in September to go to a local clinic. I hope to get it figured out.
1 person likes this
@Courage7 (19633)
• United States
21 Aug 18
@Shellyann36 Welcome that is too much suffering poor friend.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
24 Aug 18
@LadyDuck I have an appointment in September.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
1 Sep 18
@LadyDuck Its the luck of the draw. I have no insurance and the clinic I am going to charge cheaper prices. I am surprised I got the appointment as quickly as I did.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458230)
• Switzerland
24 Aug 18
@Shellyann36 It's a long time to wait.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7477)
• Canada
22 Aug 18
It sounds to me like that Keflex stuff hasn't cleared out of your system yet, which is worrisome enough. I doubt this is permanent but definitely empathize. The side of my face swelled up and my joints all got really stiff when I took Amoxycillin years ago. Glad I didn't get a rash along with it. I remember my boys reacting to penicillin when they were young and direct sunlight made it really bad. There might be something in that. I would see a doctor though because you might be having symptoms inside that you can't see as well.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
1 Sep 18
@koopharper Yes, Keflex is derived from penicillin. They should not have given it to me. Out of the 6 of my boys, 3 of them are allergic to penicillin. Two of them get a rash and headache from it and one gets what is known as the hairy black tongue. His tongue turns black and looks like a shag carpet. It not only looks horrible it makes everything taste terrible.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
2 Sep 18
@koopharper 
Yes that is what we said when we first noticed it. It looks really bad and makes one's breath smell bad as well. 
Yes that is what we said when we first noticed it. It looks really bad and makes one's breath smell bad as well. 1 person likes this
@koopharper (7477)
• Canada
1 Sep 18
@Shellyann36 Ew. I hope things are better now.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Aug 18
I'm a little worried for you that it has been weeks since you took the Reflex but are still experiencing a rash on your face. I hope it's nothing serious and that you can find relief soon.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
1 Sep 18
@moffittjc I really think that heat and stress makes it happen. I am worried that it has done some sort of permanent damage to me. I have never had this happen before.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
2 Sep 18
@moffittjc It has subsided. It only last around 24 hours with it being that bad but if I get stressed or if I stay out in the direct sunlight it will flare up again. The effects of the Keflex should be out of my system but it is weird because I continue to get the flare-ups.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
2 Sep 18
@Shellyann36 Are you still having issues with the rash? Or has it subsided?
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
2 Sep 18
@sallypup My MIL suffers from really dry skin as well. It gets flaky and her skin is discolored as well. You might want to check with his doctor about circulation problems. We have bought her Lubiderm a few times for her skin. I have not heard of the Sarnoff. I will check into it.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (57909)
• Centralia, Washington
1 Sep 18
@Shellyann36 My husband keeps getting weird stuff on his legs. He is diabetic. Not sure if that has anything to do with it but oh he itches. Dry flaky skin and its discolored horribly. The doc doesn't say anything about it. I found some over the counter lotion, I think its Sarnoff. The cortisone cream does nothing. Itching is a form of pain. I hope you are feeling much better now.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
26 Aug 18
I would definitely go back to the doctor. and hope you get better real soon!
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
1 Sep 18
@Courtlynn I am and thanks so much.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85528)
• United States
21 Aug 18
Oh that is terrible. I used to break out in a rash once a day, usually at night, for about three hours each night. It was unbearably itchy. I would get to where I couldn't stay still, and I'd shake my arms or slap my legs because scratching made it so much worse. That lasted about three years. I lived on Benadryl trying to get it to quit.
Has aloe helped?
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85528)
• United States
21 Aug 18
@Shellyann36 I hope you can visit the doctor again.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
24 Aug 18
@AmbiePam Thanks it lasted for 24 hours and the swelling went down and the redness subsided. I know that a combination of heat and stress brought that bought on but I wonder if it's going to be like this for a long period of time? I have set up an appointment for September to visit a local clinic.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
21 Aug 18
@AmbiePam when I try to put any type of cream or anything on it it feels worse. I tried the medicated hydrocortisone cream that I use on the kids' eczema but that made it worse and aloe gels feel good on it but do not stop the itching or burning feeling.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71666)
• United States
22 Aug 18
Almost any antibiotic I have taken gave me hives when I went outside even for 5 minutes. Usually an allergic reaction goes away after 3 days or so once you have stopped taking the medication. My daughter had a severe reaction to Keflex about 2 years ago. Scared me pretty bad. She had the oddest rash on her. Huge circles that were like neon pink. It took along time for them to go away two weeks I think and she had to take a stronger antihistamine then Benadryl.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71666)
• United States
30 Aug 18
@Shellyann36 wow that all just sounds unusual. I am glad you'll be going to another appointment in September and hopefully you can get some answers!
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
24 Aug 18
@shaggin The allergic reaction happened on July 15th and I started taking the steroid and the anti-inflammatory medication they gave me on the 15th as well. It should be out of my system by now but it seems that whenever I go out in the heat and stay for long or I get into direct sunlight or become stressed it rears its ugly head again. This case was the worst and was even worse than the original allergic reaction. I have an appointment in September at a local clinic. I hope they can figure out something then.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
21 Aug 18
Yes, the Keflex is an antibiotic derived from penicillin which I am allergic to. Since I was given the Keflex I have been having the breakouts. When they gave me the steroid along with the Benedryl and Pepcid it cleared it up but after I finished the steroid and the others it started coming back again and again. I am wondering if it has done some sort of permanent damage to me.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
2 Sep 18
@marlina the comment up above was meant for you. For some reason it will not let me edit it to add your name.
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
2 Sep 18
@Shellyann36 OMG, I certainly hope that this medicine did some permanent damage to you. Did you talk to the doc?
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
24 Aug 18
@jaboUK For 24 hours I was beside myself. It was very annoying and I was highly aggravated by it. I hope I can figure out what is causing it and how to fix it.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38659)
• Midland, Michigan
22 Aug 18
This was two days ago. I hope you got something that works as fast as the cream for your son's colds sore did. I can't imagine having à rash from medication let alone on your face. I hope it heals quickly and quits itching.
It's hard to get things done when you feel like that.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
24 Aug 18
@MarshaMusselman That feeling lasted for 24 hours. I was not very useful during that time frame because I did not feel like doing anything. It was very irritating. It has not felt that bad since my first initial allergic reaction to the Keflex. I have noticed that heat and stress bring it on. I have an appointment next month at a local clinic. I hope I can get some answers then.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
1 Sep 18
@MarshaMusselman I have several written down and I hope I get all of them answered to my satisfaction.
@MarshaMusselman (38659)
• Midland, Michigan
27 Aug 18
@Shellyann36 good idea. You may want to make a note of your questions if you have several so you don't forget some.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
1 Sep 18
@DianneN that is one thing for certain I will make sure that the doctors know exactly what I am allergic to!
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
22 Aug 18
you are fortunate because you did not have (knocking on wood) anaphylactic shock.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
24 Aug 18
@ridingbet this is very true. Especially since the reaction to the Keflex started immediately.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
1 Sep 18
@ridingbet Not here, I have talked to several people that have been prescribed Keflex since I had my reaction.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
28 Aug 18
@Shellyann36 Keflex is a brand name of antibiotics that we often used in the hospital where i worked as HN. i thought that brand is already obsolete with the emergence of new antibiotics, all with specific conditions to treats
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
1 Sep 18
@porwest Yep, I will not be taking them ever again!
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
3 Sep 18
@Shellyann36 Nope. I would not take them again either.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
26 Aug 18
Ask your doctor about Mupirocin and see if that works. That is what they gave me recently knowing I am allergic to a lot of things and was broke out. It sure helps me
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
1 Sep 18
@KrauseHome is it a pill or a cream or what? I will look it up. Thanks for the info.
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
21 Aug 18
I'm sorry you are so uncomfortable. I will be praying for your healing to happen quickly!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
21 Aug 18
Sounds to me like you need to go back to the doctor before this flares up more. I hope it calms down, itching drives me crazy.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
1 Sep 18
@BelleStarr I was lucky and it has calmed down. I do have an appointment coming up. I hope to get some good news.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
21 Aug 18
That sounds painful. I hope your doctor can help solve the problem.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
21 Aug 18
@Freelanzer it is painful and so itchy all at the same time. I hope he can too!
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
1 Sep 18
@just4him thank you, I hope so too.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
1 Sep 18
@YrNemo Yes, it is derived from penicillin, which I am allergic to.
1 person likes this
