Allergic Reaction? - Dallas,TX

I'd wait and see if it happens again before I tried changing anything.

I and my family have lots of allergies and this doesn't sound like an allergy. An allergy usually results in itchy hives or at least itchy skin. The skin doesn't hurt.

But, yes, you can develop an allergy after having safely used/eaten the same thing for years. I had no allergies as a child, young adult. Then I developed food allergies. Now, in my later years, I don't seem to have them as much as before. It's all a matter of how your body's chemicals react to the stressor.

Two quick medical-ish points:

1. A clinical allergy usually manifests differently. The classic symptoms are swelling and hives in the chest, face, and throat. Redness in the legs could possibly signal a mild to moderate sensitivity, but not an allergy per se.

2. However, an allergy can start at any time. The classic example is someone who has and enjoys shellfish for years. Then, one time, that person has some bad clams. That sensitizes the immune system to shellfish, and the person has a lifelong allergy going forward. So, being okay in the past isn't necessarily a sign of being okay in the future.

My bets would be on (in order of likelihood):

1. Dry skin. Try a hypoallergenic (no fragrance, no nuttin') moisturizer.
2. A reaction to a new pair of pants/leggings/tights/socks. Clothing manufacture actually involves some pretty toxic chemicals, and this can trigger rashes and the like. Consider washing new clothes before she wears them.
3. An allergy/sensitivity to lotion and/or detergent that's just in the process of developing. The symptoms don't sound that indicative, though.

Could be an allergy. Still, one of my daughters has had extremely sensitive skin since she was a baby. This sounds like my girl after most every shower in the winter. Aveeno body wash for sensitive skin and a good moisturizer helps.

Sometimes my skin would get so dry, I would have that kind of reaction to lotion. It will prob. Go away. Keep up the lotion or change to a different one.

How long did she sit in the bath? I only ask because if I stay in non-chlorinated water (a bath, my hands, soaking my feet, anything) more than 10 minutes or so, my skin gets red and it burns. It's irritating. It's not an allergy...to be honest, I don't know what causes it, but I know it's very real.

Was she wearing fleece lined pants or fleece pants? My son absolutely can not wear fleece or he will break out/dry out and his legs flare up.