Doctors believe I had a severe allergic reaction to macrobid 7 days after I finished medication it's been 7 weeks and still having streaking on my skin while taking Allegra... how long can this last?
How long should an allergic reaction to Macrobid last, still having effects after 7 weeks?
Question posted by Jackrox12 on 20 Nov 2012
Last updated on 17 March 2024 by Nosy Nancy
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12 Answers
Nosy Nancy
17 March 2024
I started a 7 day course of Macrobid (generic) 12 days ago. I finished the course the night of day 7. On day 8 I had a “cold”— body aches, stuffy nose—that lasted less than 24 hours. This is super unusual for me as a standard cold usually makes me sick for a week or two. On day 9 I had a headache. I’m not sure when it began but while I was still taking Macrobid my ankles started itching a little. I have dry skin most of the time so I didn’t think anything of it at the time. On day 11 I woke up with a severe rash on my ankles. By the end of the day the rash had spread all over my body & my ankles were very swollen. I went to the ER because it was Saturday night. I haven’t changed soap, detergent, no new clothes, no different foods. My life has been the same as usual. The only difference is the UTI/Macrobid. I received a shot of Prednisone & taking Zyrtec, Singulair, & Benadryl. Start Prednisone pills this am.
I think it’s important everyone start recording these symptoms because I see it being dismissed. The ER doc is sure it can’t be the Macrobid. “You’ve been off it too long.” There’s just no other thing in my life that is different. UTI & Macrobid are the only change.
Maleeha
24 Aug 2020
Sorry I know this has been from years ago!
I took Macrobid for 7 days and 2 days after I finished, I started getting skin rashes. I have something which literally looks like dermographic urticaria (I can basically write on my skin). It has been 7 weeks now since I broke out.
Does anyone know how long this will last? It’s really affecting my life!
SavannahSmiles93
30 May 2019
When I was prescribed this drug I also had an allergic reaction. I got really bad hives all over my body, I got bruises on the palms of my hands and soles of my feet and they swelled up really bad. It lasted about a week. Any longer than that, I would go see a doctor.
AmbsB
16 June 2018
I got severe hives after taking Macrobid (day after my last dose which was a week long dose). It’s now been a month and I STILL have them as well. I’ve tried so many Meds. My allergist currently has me on 40mg Zyrtec (taken in two doses), 300mg Zantac (taken in two doses) and 10mg Singulair daily. This has kept the itching from getting out of control but in mornings before I’m due for my Meds and at night before I take second dose, I get mild itching but the red streaks come out (no whelping). Just got a bunch of blood work done to see if that can give some clarity. I feel what all of you are going through. It’s so uncomfortable and emotionally draining. My allergist said if it lasts for more than 6 weeks, they will be considered chronic at which stage he said I could possibly qualify to take a monthly injection of XOLAIR. Has anyone taken this?
Pattyvg
7 May 2018
2nd time in 2 years taking macrobid. 1st time extreme itching (no hives) lasted 2 months. This time itching/hives/red streaks daily now for 6 weeks. Both times started after 7 days on the medication. Didn’t relate the two until it happened (much worse) 2nd time. Taking Allegra and Benadryl to control symptoms
lisacor37
10 May 2018
I took 2 capsules and next day broke out in hives all over head-severe itching... terrible, terrible time-its been almost 14 days!! Going to see allergist next week. Still rashing every now & again on face, chest-NEVER AGAIN!!!
Spulice
16 Jan 2018
Hello everyone, I see this feed started back years ago but I am at my last bit of hope. I developed a delayed reaction to macrobid as well. 7 days after finishing my full dose. I was in and out of the ER. I not only broke out in hives from head to toe but also was in bed for 3 weeks with excruciating pain. My organs felt like they were on fire with pain that felt like it was inside my bones. I have seen many specialists. They have had many tests run to make sure my hives are not caused by a hidden infection.
Everything comes up negative. I now have been living with extreme itchy, streaking skin with hives and muscle/joint pain for 3 months.
I basically live off Zyrtec. I have had a full body cortisone shot after many other tries to calm down my system. Nothing works.
I am starting to feel this medication has ruined my body. If anyone has information about a similar situation please let me know. I have had to change my lifestyle completely and feel very ill.
Jackrox12
17 Jan 2018
Spulice... I see your reaction was even more severe and as I do not have any answers to your pain I do hope you recover soon. I do recall the doctors telling me that the reaction could occur for years. I was on Allegra for 1 year... Best of Luck
Sharlykay143
29 Jan 2018
Hi spulice, I had a bad reaction to macrobid about 8 years ago. I developed hives shortly after I finished the antibiotic. They lasted for four months. It was miserable. I was getting shots everyday of Benadryl from the Dr. it felt like it lasted forever. I know the dr said it wasn’t abnormal for ut to start after I finished the antibiotic and that it could last several months.
Laralara
27 April 2018
@spulice I had the same thing, nothing worked and I was scared steroids would cause even more reactions. Derm prescribed 16 day course of steroids and gave me hydroxyzine , which she called prescription allergy meds and said to take it for break through itching. I decided to try it first before the steroids. I took it, passed out and 5 hours full body hives and swelling were down like 75%. Took another 10mg that night and by morning, everything was basically gone, except for discoloration which is now slowly fading close to a week later. No steroids needed! If you have an irregular heartbeat or other heart condition, don't take hydroxyzine. It has warnings and also gave me weird chest /heartburn feeling. But for me it was worth it!
No Mac
11 Sep 2019
7 weeks after completing 7 days of Macrobid I continue to be exhausted, weak and balance issues. My energetic life is gone. It began exactly when I started Macrobid. Doctors do not know what is wrong with me!!!
No Mac
11 Sep 2019
7 weeks after completing 7 days of Macrobid I continue to be exhausted, weak and balance issues. My energetic life is gone. It began exactly when I started Macrobid. Doctors do not know what is wrong with me!!!
No Mac
11 Sep 2019
7 weeks after completing 7 days of Macrobid I continue to be exhausted, weak and balance issues. My energetic life is gone. It began exactly when I started Macrobid. Doctors do not know what is wrong with me!!!
jjean55
2 Sep 2017
I took Macrobid a month ago and got hives after taking the course of meds, I get welts every time I scratch, and I had this same reaction to Macrobid 20 years ago. The good thing is that it will go away eventually.
Micky75
16 Jan 2013
Help! I am dealing with an allergic reaction which I got on the 9th day of taking this drug. I have been macrobid free for a week now and am still dealing with itchy hives which come and Gina's they please... It is in streaks...
Jackrox12
16 Jan 2013
I posted back in November... I no longer have hives but I am still taking Allegra twice a day... If I don't take it I still have streaking... allergist told me it could last months... If you aren't takin allegra speak with your dr and perhaps they will agree it helps... Wishing I was done with the streaking!
Av 5
4 April 2013
I to have has te same macrobid rash for 7 weeks!
Feeling lousy
1 May 2013
I finished 5 days of Macrobid and broke out from head to toe with a spotty red, itchy rash. Was given a steroid shot followed by 50mg a day of prednisone for five days and then to taper off to 20 the next 5 days. I use Benadryl at night and Zyrtec with Tagamet during the day. Just when I think it's getting better boom it starts all over. I feel dizzy and confused at times with worse than usual ringing in the ears.
LisaFraz
16 Nov 2014
I have had an allergic reaction to macrobid as well. It was misdiagnosed as shingles because I didn't have the reaction until after I had quit taking it. I had painful blistering rash on one side of my body for a week with stinging sensation in palms of hands, bottom of feet and head. I was told it was shingles and then the next day I broke out in full blown hives. Went to a dermatologist who said it was not shingles but an allergic reaction to macrobid. Taking Allegra and ranitidine in the a.m. And Zyrtec and ranitidine in the p.m. While taking Benadryl as needed in between. Suppose to do this for one month. So far it is helping. The hives are unbearable.
LisaFraz
16 Nov 2014
I have had an allergic reaction to macrobid as well. It was misdiagnosed as shingles because I didn't have the reaction until after I had quit taking it. I had painful blistering rash on one side of my body for a week with stinging sensation in palms of hands, bottom of feet and head. I was told it was shingles and then the next day I broke out in full blown hives. Went to a dermatologist who said it was not shingles but an allergic reaction to macrobid. Taking Allegra and ranitidine in the a.m. And Zyrtec and ranitidine in the p.m. While taking Benadryl as needed in between. Suppose to do this for one month. So far it is helping. The hives are unbearable.
GerryM24
22 Nov 2014
So glad to find this. I started Macrobid on Monday to treat a bladder infection. Woke up Tuesday with aches, chills, and fever up to 101.3 by evening. Wednesday morning fever was below 100, but pink rash had appeared on cheek. By Thursday, pink rash on neck and legs. Finally realized this could be a drug reaction. Went to doc today. Off Macrobid. Hope rash goes away soon. Doc just said to take Benadryl before bed. Also hope bladder infection doesn't come back, since I went off antibiotic after only 4 days.
kaismama
20 Nov 2012
You need to see someone else about it. I'd really like the doc to explain to me how someone can have an allergic reaction to something that has been out of their body for the past month.
cag1335
25 June 2018
Antibiotics (and other drugs) build up in your system over the prescription period.
I broke out after Macrobid for 6 months.
Jackrox12
20 Nov 2012
Additional info... I spent 5 days breaking out in hives at home while being given steroid from dr... Ended up in hospital for 3 days with different steroid and other med to try and stop hives... They eventually stopped... been to
Allergist who recommended Allegra twice daily until streaking stops... Maybe I'm
That one case where this could last months? Anyone ever have hives followed by this streaking?
Inactive
20 Nov 2012
I tend to agree with the answer pledge gave you. If you were truly allergic to macrobid, you should have had problems while on it with itching, hives, hard to breathe, swelling of the face, throat, tongue etc... This almost sounds like you have a allergy to something else if it's a rash type of thing & has not gone away. I would see a dermatologist also or an allergy doctor. Are you eating something new that you haven't before, or wearing something new? It could be anything from clothing to food or even a different medication or supplement. Allergies are hard to pin down at times. You may need to be tested for allergies.Sometimes dye in new clothing can be the culprit. When we change seasons, many people buy new clothes. Have you tried any cortisone cream on it at all? They have it OTC so you don't need a prescription. I would also try that instead of allegra .
Allegra is used more for seasonal allergies which include watery itching eyes, a runny nose, sneezing & so on. Don't think it will do much for skin problems at all. A topical cortisone cream would do you better. Just a thought or two...
cag1335
25 June 2018
Nope. Antibios build up in your system and can stay there for several months. You don't react unless you have been exposed before (usually 1st exposure there are no symptoms of being allergic). I didn't react until the last day of my 2nd time taking the antibiotic. Be careful!
Inactive
20 Nov 2012
Hello Jackrox12. I suggest if you haven't seen one, a dermatologist might beable to help. Best of wishes, pledge
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allegra, macrobid, allergic reactions, doctor, skin, medication
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