Itchy

As I write this, I'm not doing so well...

Yesterday my hands suddenly became very itchy, turned red with some welt/hive things.  There was minor swelling and the itching was driving me insane.  There was some blistering in areas, many of which popped open. 

And of course I was trying to convince myself that I had some terrible flesh eating bacteria thing going on - because I'm crazy paranoid like that sometimes.  I took some benedryl and crashed early.

This morning, I awoke with a terrible headache, which I can't seem to shake.  And I have a dry itchy patch on my face.  The type of patch which usually means I've eaten something with peanuts in it.

After a little research, I found that the hand thing can also be a symptom of a food allergy.

I did have lunch yesterday at my favorite Asian buffet restaurant.  And all I can figure is that I must not have been paying careful attention to the signs, or something with peanuts or peanut butter wasn't marked - and I ate it.

Needless to say I am not happy about this development.  I have so much I need to get done today, but all I want to do is take some more benedryl, something for the headache, and snooze on the couch for the afternoon.

UPDATE: I can report that things have have improved.  I have no new redness, swelling or itching of the hands so far today.  But my poor hands look terrible from the sores left where the blisters popped.

Make That 6 Things

Six things I would really, really like to find.  I thought of something to add to the list:

1) A pair of jeans that fit
2) Underwear that fit.
3) A good (and simple) bread recipe
4) Time to sit down and really get lost in a book
5) Scissors that run on some sort of motor

AND...

6) A really good peanut butter substitute! 

Ever since discovering the potential allergy, all things peanutty have been off limits.  Now, it's bad enough I can't have even a Reese's cup, or fries from certain places because they are cooked in peanut oil.  But y'all... I miss my peanut butter sandwiches most of all!  (yes - I said "y'all".  I live in the south, get past it) 

Those stick to the roof of your mouth tasties have been a big part of my personal diet since my elementary school days when they made regular appearances in my lunchbox.  (Holly Hobby if you must know)  And some days not even coffee could get my day started the way a piece of peanut butter toast could.  Now, there are some days I just crave a good peace of peanut butter toast, or a peanut butter sandwich.  Not just in a "man, I sure would like a peanut butter and banana sandwich".  But more like in a - it's all I can think about, I want one so badly I can actually almost taste it - sort of way.  I miss a good pb&j so, so much.  It's just sad.

The Man of the House keeps pointing out products such as soy butter and almond butter to me.  But honestly, I'm just scared.  I don't want to purchase a jar of something to replace my peanut butter and find it's actually a jar of crap.  I don't like crap.  And I'm pretty sure a c&j sandwich would not do it for me. 

So, if anyone out there with a peanut allergy, or a peanut allergy stricken loved one, has a suggestion to share of a delicious peanut butter substitute that will actually trick my taste buds into believing I am enjoying my much missed peanut butter - please, Please, PLEASE let me know!

Beginning to Get Frustrated

You have got to be kidding me.  Seriously... you. have. got. to. be. freaking. kidding. me. 

It's back.  The stupid, irritating rash around my eyes is BACK!!

And it's starting to tick me off.

When the itching and redness started back up a couple of days ago I thought maybe it was the french fries cooked in peanut oil I had consumed without thinking.  But today instead of getting better - it's even more itchy and even redder.  And I have no clue what could have contributed to it this time around.

All I know is that I have had just about enough!

I'm Dreaming of a Reese's Halloween

If you know me personally, you know I am a big admirer of the Reese's peanut butter cup.  OK... to be honest - saying I'm a "big admirer" may be more than a little bit of an understatement.  

But even better than the original Reese's cup are a few of its off-spring.  There is that tasty treat which I believe is the resulting love child of a mating between the Reese's Cup and a Snickers bar - the Nutrageous.  Chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, peanuts.  A sweet little taste of complete deliciousness.  Mmmmmm

And then there is that Reese's miracle that only shows up at this time of year... 

The Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkin!

Oh sweet Halloween!!!  Of all the candies weighing down the shelves at the stores - this has to be the best.  It has that perfect ratio of chocolate to that Reese's peanut butter.  It's cleverly available for a limited time, meaning I must get my fix while I can.  They are irresistible to me.

Or, it was.  This year there is "The Rash"  And along with that rash comes the suspicion that peanuts may be the culprit behind its appearance.  The last time I had a major outbreak I had eaten a peanut butter sandwich earlier in the day.  And the last time I allowed myself a few bites of that tempting little confection shown above - I got a small patch of the rash around my eye.

This likely means the end of my relationship with the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.  And all it's delightful little spin off treats as well. 

Si i i i i i igh....