Arthrofibrosis Patient Patterns

[jennifer123]

Hi all,

Last night Jaci and I (both still in Vail) had a very interesting conversation.  We started talking about pain medicine and then about the allergic reactions we have to medicines... and soon we realized that we have *a lot* in common.  

For example, we realized that we both have hypersensitivies to laundry detergent and fabric softener: we start scratching like crazy, get heavy lungs, and have difficult breathing.  (We both have a hard time walking down the detergent isle at a market!)  We started talking and realized that these sensitivies both started in our early-ish 20's.  

Jaci is the first person I've met like this.  I guess I'm really wondering if there is an overall pattern in arthrofibrosis people.  Unless the doctors are swabbing off their surgical tools before surgery with fabric softener sheets, I'm sure that I'm not an adhesion queen due to this sensitivity.  But, if we all have similar sensitivies or if there are patterns in arthrofibrosis patients, it would be very very interesting.  And, it would be helpful probably in pinpointing who is more likely to get arthrofibrosis following surgery.

Anyways, since we are rare people on this earth, this is probably one of the greatest gathering of arthrofibrosis patients... so I was thinking we might be able find patterns -- if, of course, there are patterns to be found.

I'll start in the following post... maybe it's just Jaci and I... but I thought I'd post this and ask.  

Jennifer

PS. I promise I'll bring this up to Dr. S if we find a pattern!  

[jennifer123]

Strange Issues which all started in my 20's:

* fabric softener and laundry detergent:
If they are not "free of dyes and perfumes" I have a hard time breathing, and I itch like crazy.  

* face lotion sensitivity
Some lotions make my face burn and turn bright red.

* red and itchy hands (sometimes)
Might be due to a new sensitivity to dishwashing soap.

* receeding gum lines
I have to be careful with the toothpaste and toothbrushes I use.

* medicine issues:
percocet, darvocet: hives and itching
vicodin, codine: severe stomach problems
sulfa drugs: mono-like symptoms (especially fatigue)


Strange Issues since birth:

* strong cat sensitivity
I can tell if a cat even thought about setting foot in a house.  (not really... but almost!)  


Hmmm.... okay, maybe we will all have idifferent sensitivities, but it might be interesting if there are patterns.

Jennifer

[SarahSmile]

Interesting....
I don't know if it has anything to do with arthrofibrosis at all, but I am sensitive to alot of things... I always just attributed my sensitivity to being fair-skinned and blonde but who knows
I have alot of drug allergies: morphine, dilaudid, codeine, anti-nausea meds... I get very itchy, red, and heart races.
I have a lot of skin allergies- that's my main problem. I can't even use some products that claim their targeted for *sensitive*skin... I get excema (sp?) and red, itchy skin. I am *sometimes* allergic to fabric softeners, but not too bad... if I use one that has a lot of perfume in it, I will get excema. I don't consider myself 'ultra-sensitive' but I am definately more sensitive than the average Joe shmo.
Interesting...?

[Heather M.]

Jennifer,

It actually makes sense, and we've talked about it before, because arthrofibrosis is the result of an over-active immune system that doesn't know how to shut off after the threat is past.  And allergies are the result of an over-active immune system treating normal, everyday things as a threat, triggering a histimine response.

I have so many allergies I can't go into them all here, but these are the biggies:

*fabrice softener and laundry detergent:  I must use the dye free and fragrance free variety (bounce sheets).  However, I live in the land of hard water, so I've introduced Downey--I just have to run the rinse cycle twice, use a small amount, and then take antihistimines every day.  Otherwise, itchy red skin that I can't stand not to scratch.  But if I don't use the softener, my clothes and esp. towels are so rough they also irritate my skin...

*Face lotion sensitivity:  neutrogena for sensitive skin or a very expensive brand called Julique are all I can use.  The real pain is that I can't seem to find an everyday sun block that my skin can take--it itches and turns red, then I break out in acne like conditions.  YUCK.  So I try to wear hats and stay out of the sun, but my freckles are so unbelievable right now.

*red and itchy hands, especially the thumb and forefinger.  Same with toes.  I think this is from dry skin, but I have to be careful with moisturizers.

*receding gum lines (OUCH).  I have four teeth right now where the dentin is exposed...that's nerve, folks, because the gums receded despite daily brushing and flossing.  My gums always bleed.  I have significant tooth problems that went away once my knee started up.  I have had over 32 oral surgeries including root canals, crown lengthenings, apicoectomies (infected root of tooth that goes into jaw bone), extractions, and dental implants.  Lots of infection issues.  I'm half afraid to go to the dentist, which I haven't done in about 2 years.  I know that there is some big stuff hapening, but I'm DONE with pain for a while!

*medication allergies:  can't take penicillin or any other 'illins' b/c of hives.  Soma (muscle relaxant) causes hives.  Vioxx causes vomiting and diarrhea (TMI, I know).  I had to go through 5 prescriptions of birth control pill.  Vicodin makes me nauseous and my heart race, codeine makes me nauseous.  Percocet makes me nauseous but I got past that.

*food allergies:  you name it, I've got them.  Though I missed all of the serious ones--like shrimp and nuts--that cause anaphylaxis, I do get a contact allergy in my mouth and throat from certain fruits and nuts.  This leads to red sores and swelling...in the throat, this doesn't feel good.  I'm also allergic to beer, which SUCKS because I love it.  I can have about 1/3 of a bottle before my face breaks out.  If I take a benadryl before I drink the beer, sometimes I'm okay, other times it looks like I have red stripes on my face & neck and feels like a sunburn.  Needless to say, I've stopped drinking beer.  Same thing with many alcoholic drinks, leading me to believe I'm sensitive to the sugars in alcohol.  

*violently allergic to cats.  I can walk in a room and know if the person who lived there 10 years ago had a cat.  I've had people lie and tell me there was no cat, and I would break out while in the house.  If I stay in a cat-filled environment I will get sinus infections, bronchitis, and eventually pneumonia.

*Lots of other environmental sensitivities:  hay fever, grass, tree pollen, some roses, daffodils, perfume (GAH!), some dogs.  These are both respiratory and contact (skin) allergies.

Like most people, I'm more sensitive when I'm tired, run down, and suffering from environmental allergies like hay fever.  If I have no other allergy issues going on, I can drink a little beer or maybe pet my neighbor's cat who comes to visit & torment my dogs.  But if any other allergies are acting up, it makes things much worse.

Heather

[SarahSmile]

Very interesting.... I also have receding gums and had to have a few surgeries for it when I was only 22. they cut the top of the roof of your mouth out and implant it on the receding gums...I've had it done twice (ouch!) and they are STILL receding...

[stgiles16]

Ok guys, this is just creepy. I have the receding gums but not the cat allergy.

Cant take Vioxx, messes with my stomach BAD

Allergic to sulpha drugs and the really weird one, am allergic to fleas , yep those small gross creatures on dogs. I break out from head to toe if only one small one bites me.

No food allergies but the fabric softener will get me so I have used the same one for years.

I also suffer from hay fever and enviromental allergies.

HMMMMMMMMMm makes you think , doesnt it?
MIssy

[JaneB]

Just to add my .02....  I'm allergic to sulfa drugs (life-threatening anaphalactic reaction); contrast dye used in Xray procedures; cats; hay fever.

Jane B.

[Janet]

I don't have any allergies (except to cats). I don't have any sensitivities. I do have receeding gumlines. Years ago when I broke my wrist one year and a bone in my foot the next (don't ask!), my OS at the time told me my body produces a very strong reaction to trauma. That definitely fits in with excessive scar tissue. I often wonder where I would be today if that same OS would have treated me for my knee injury. At least he would have been looking for complications.

Janet

[dagnabit]

I TOO HAVE HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO  CELEBREX  (SULFA)  BUT CAN TAKE BEXTRA WHICH ALSO CONTAINS SULFA  AND SOME FABRIC SOFTENERS  THIS IS VERY INTERESTING  BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT MY SCAR TISSUE WAS DUE TO  9 WEEKS OF  IMMOBILAZATION   WERE ALL OF YOU GUYS AND GALS  IMOBILE FOR A LENGTHY TIME ALSO

DAG

[Janet]

Dag:

I was initially immobilized for about three months (although I was out of the immobilizer for PT three times a week, I had to wear it all the time when not in PT). But I have had the scar tissue return following two additional lysis of adhesions surgeries, so I can't blame it solely on the immobilization. My body just produces the stuff, unfortunately. Luckily, we were able to break the cycle with the last scar tissue surgery. But my knee is a permanent mess from the damage it has left behind.

Janet

[stgiles16]

I was only in an immobilizer if I went out, I used a CPM machine from day one but got the scar tissue anyway. I have since found out that I had torn some scar tissue in my ankle from a previous surgery (it hurt so much,  I thought that I had undone the repair) My ankle was immobilized for a long time. So, one of each, I grew it when I was immobilized and I grew it when I wasnt immobilized.

Missy

[Sarahreindeer12]

I think that it is inherent that people who form scar tissue have some underlying auto immune dysfunction (allergies, lupus, ms).  My body automatically works against itself due to the lupus.  I have multiple reactions to medications and food (anaphylactic).  Despite having thousands of mg of steroids, my bones are in good shape, in part because I was in athletics.  I rapidly form scar tissue that is ossified.  The only thing that has stopped it is the radiation (which btw is used quite a bit on traumatic knee injuries, but the orthopedic community is lagging).  I don't think anyone can say "this person has a propensity to develop scar tissue vs this one"...only if the person is already immune compromised...but I think that you all are on to something!  Sarah

[Teresa_S]

Hi, I am interested in the radiation treatment you talk about, as I have dense adhesions over my entire abd. and pelvis, and , of course, my poor mishapen, swollen, inmovable, hot knee. I formed the adhesions in my pelvis to thickly, that the walls are adhered to the insides, and the physcians, in an open exploration 8 years ago, could not distinguish the ovaries, bladder, etc from the thickness of the adhesions. THey pull my bladder down, and the left side of my belly fells thick and hard from just pressing on it with your hands, and nothing like the right. It is even bigger through, and when I measure there is a 3 or 4 inche difference, just like the circumference of my knee is comparision with the other one. I also have a right port a cath in the subclavian, that formed a big clot, the dr. told me post op he could not hardly get the bleeding to stop, so don't know if he cause it or it formed, anyway it eventually cause the right side of my body to be much larger in the head, neck, arm, shoulder region, and it could be seen by people walking by me. My BP was alot higher on that side. When the swelling started going down, and I notice when they used the port it seemed to flow down the arm instead of across the chest to the heart. I decided I had developed collateral circulation, but the vascular surgeon, who finally ordered a doppler of the area and found a huge clot obstructing the subclavian from the site to the heart, he wanted to treat with heparin, and coumadin, and hot packs, Ididn't think it would work and it didn't . Found another surgeon, who agreed, and said it was too big to take out, would only break off and go straight to my lungs, likely killing me. and to leave it alone and pray it doesn't do it on  its own. POINT IS there are severe adhesions pulling it down now, too, and it causes much pain, but have been told I have to leave the port is or risk death. It too relates to the knee injury, surgery, as it was put in for the IV antibiotics for the MRSA infection I was given after a scope hemmorage. I do have multiple allergies to many meds, dish soap, some detergents, and wool. KEEP looking, we all need all the infor we can gather. Teresa

[Heather M.]

I also have dense abdominal adhesions from an open appendectomy...well, it started out with a scope.  But when my surgeon severed the mesenteric artery (a big one, by the way) my BP crashed and I started to bleed out instantly.  So they cut open my abdomen--I have a 6 inch scar from the bottom of the belly button straight down to my...well, straight down    I also have three two inch long laparoscopy scars.

The stinky thing is that my appendix wasn't even the problem.  It was inflamed, but from the outside, because it was sitting next to an ovarian cyst that had ruptured and spread its infection stuff everywhere around that part of the abdomen.  So by the time I had surgery, I had peritonitis where the nasty stuff had sat in there and tainted all the surrounding tissue.  This ovarian cyst was a bit rare--usually they form INSIDE the ovary and are related to ovulation.  Mine was outside, and spread infection everywhere.  

Obviously, my bad medical karma began long before my knee.  In fact, when I first had knee surgery I told my OS about the disaster of my 'quick and easy appendectomy scope.'  He told me not to worry, there weren't any major arteries that he could sever in the frong of my knee    Did I mention that I had a serious joint bleed after my first knee scope?  Almost had to be taken back into the OR from recovery to have it cauterized?  Wish I had, because then they would have cleaned all the blood out and I might not have formed all the scar tissue.

Anyway, back to abdominal adhesions--the lower part of my scar (where the big drain was) is adhered to the abdominal wall and the uterus, and there's a big 'gob' of scar tissue around the right ovary and the area that was cleaned up there.  My whole scar hurts and feels tight.  I get lightning sharp pains that feel like a knife going in my side if I turn or stretch the wrong way (did this while driving yesterday after reaching into the back seat).  Likely I will have pain and issues should I get pregnant (which I'd like to do!) because we all know that adhesions don't stretch very well...I might have to have a C-Section, as they usually worry when someone has had open abdominal surgery about the incision rupturing due to the force of the contractions.  That's why most women who have one c-section have to have others, because they worry about the uterus rupturing.  So I'll have to see what the state of my abdominal adhesions are before making decisions like that...the doctor *mentioned* that sometimes adhesions in the belly can cause infertility.  Great, eh?

I'm sure any guys who were reading this thread are long gone...sorry if it was TMI!

Heather

[Teresa_S]

How about this one? My daughter's one year old fox terrier, just loves to nose, nose, nose, andlick lick, lick my knee when it is really hurting and warm, swollen, and hurts like the dickens. He just noses until he han the spot that is so bad, and wants to lick it, I don't think it feels particiularly good, so, DON't allow it, but he is persistent! Teresa

[stgiles16]

That is wild Teresa, my cat always cuddles my bad knee. I thought it was just me but maybe animals pickup on the heat and pain and are trying to comfort us. Problem is, she tends to bump it when it hurts the most. She ends up just curling up next to it where he back is rubbing against my knee. She never does that with my good knee.

Missy

[Heather M.]

Dogs have a very good sense of injury, and their instinct is to lick it as they have antibiotic components to their saliva.  My beagle had a huge, nasty abcess on her cheek, and my friend's Dalmation parked himself there to lick it constantly.  My dog would even walk up to the Dalmation and turn her head for him to lick it.

EWWWWWW.

My dogs sniff my knee, but I don't let them near it because both are lap dogs and stand on it.  My beagle got me just yesterday by digging her foot into the base of my quad.  Ouch.

Heather

[cat]

How interesting!

cat

[Teresa_S]

You know that dogs are saving patients with epilepsy and heart attacks, as they predict them before they are going to happen. Also, there are the dogs who find cancer in  patients, even when medical exams have been negative.Anybody else out there? Teresa  Like Heather mentioned we do know that dogs lick their wounds and even ours, but this is below the skin. T

[christinaz]

I just saw this thread and read through it and was amazed.  I have numerous allergies:  adhesive, some different antibiotics, a few foods ( but not anaphylaxis), very highly allegic to cats, especially double coated ones, fleas, mosquitoes, pollen mold mildew and many environmental things, also strong odors such as ammonia or bleach will cause an asthma attack sometimes pretty severe.  I always sneeze when I go to wash clothes but never thought about my laundry soap before and also have an asthma attack around cigars.  I have also found that I catch every little flu bug or cold that goes around usually to a severe extent...they seem to last forever.  After I got pregnant with my fourth child ( I had a c-section with my third) I almost miscarried her at 8 weeks pregnant because of the severe scarring in my uterus.  After my last one was born( another c-section) I had a tubal ligation at the same time and have a thick scar that doesn't want to budge and causes sharp pain if I toss and turn in my sleep (almost like a pulling sensation).  I think this is a very interesting subject because I would have never thought that any of this could be connected.

My allegies also started to get much worse in my twenties but seem to have gone haywire after I turned 31.

I am also allergic to many metals

Love, Christina

[starpolisher]

BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!  Both my son and I have the same type of immune system....lots of allergies....to chemicals, foods, lotions.  In fact autoimmunte diseases run in my family.  I have thyroid problems, mitral valve prolapse, take a benzo for panic disorder.  There is a panic disorder syndrome that Columbia is studying.  I kept wondering if this were not tied in! 

[cudos]

 Arthrofibrosis here as well. Also have itcy nose and sneezing around detergents, newspaper ink, tree pollen, perfumes,

[starpolisher]

Does anyone here with arthrofibrosis have (or have had) the following: thyroid problems, mitral valve prolapse, severe fatigue, aching joints at the same time you have severe fatigue and acetomenaphine or ibuprofin do not help, rashes on your face, sensitivity to high pitched sounds or fluorescent lighting, hand tremor, skin feeling very hot and/or cold, sensitivity to heat and humidity and/or cold (more so than average), bad headaches, interstitial cystitis (painful bladder), GI problems, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, panic attacks and, of course, a lot of allergies and sensitivities to all sorts of innocuous substances)?

Please this is very important!  I am taking part in a study at Columbia University to distinguish types of panic disorder.  There is a type that is really misnamed.....panic attacks are but one of many health problems.  All or some of the above symptoms listed are part of a syndrome whereby the chromosomes have already been identified.  The doctor heading the study is trying to complete a study on this and get the word out to doctors.  While SSRI's are often prescribed for panic it often winds up increasing our symptoms and in fact a benzodiazepene is often more effective.  The doctor at Columbia says we have AHIGHLY REACTIVE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.  Her study would help those of us who have this and don't know it....like me, going years thinking I just had a lot of different health issues, when, in fact, it is all tied to one disorder.  I drove my internist crazy running tests which showed nothing (other than my thyroid being off when it was off) and minor blood in urine...but not all these symptoms may have shown up yet or are in remission.  This illness is chronic and does go into remission. 

When I read about the numerous allergies, I was specifically looking to see if anyone here had the disorder I have.  I had a double TKR and have severe scar tissue.  My opthalmologist diagnosed me as she has this disorder.  While more doctors are becoming aware of it, there are many who know nothing about it or are totally unaware.  Perhaps if I had known someone with this dsorder who had this reaction to joint replacement, I would not have had it done or approached it differently.  But now I feel as if I am in a nightmare and realistically know the pain meds are keeping me working but it's just a matter of time before I won't be able to.  It's very painful to walk and get ready and out the door.  I sit at my job so that part is possible. 

I want to write the doctor at Columbia if there are more of you with this problem.  Thanks so much.
Patty

[TIBBAR]

Patty
I had bilateral TKR last Nov. and had a MUA in April. My knees are still stiff and swollen pretty bad. I have an OS appointment for Nov. but I will be calling for a sooner one after I see the neurologist next week. I think there is more artho. in there. Yes, I do have some of those things you asked about.
Severe Fatigue- I slept almost all last weekend and still feel I could sleep 24/7.
Sensitivity to sounds- Yes, I can't  stand a lot of noise especially a lot of different sounds all at once.
Sensitivity to florescent lights- My office at work has 8 (regular bulb lamps-brought in by me)because I can't stand the fluorescent overhead lights.
Sensitivity to cold- My hands swell in the cold. regular gloves don't work I have to wear mittens that keep my fingers together to keep the heat in. I worked many years ago in a nursing home. When I would fill the ice pitchers my hands would swell even using a scoop to fill the ice. Just had a thyroid test again and it came back neg.for problems. Will see NS next week and see what he thinks.
Panic Attacks- Did years ago and just every so often now. I just put them off on hormones now.
Allergies- had juvenile asthma but still get short of breath sooner than most. Seasonal allergies.
Hope this helps!!!              CAROL

[starpolisher]

Dear Carol,
It sounds as if we have had similar problems over the years.  I am exhausted as my son has this disorder and he needs a long rest to get over it.  It does go into remission. I am fast losing my ability to walk.  I am upset because both my son is ill and I am struggling with arthrofibrosis.  I can't seem to find a doctor who cares.  Our psychiatrist is kind but also waiting for this study to be completed.  I was told the study would be done this past May; it still is not.  When I emailed the doctor about arthrofibrosis and seeking a connection with the disorder she said "this is not my area of expertise."  Well that is all well and good, but my surgeon knows nothing about this syndrome either.  I politely asked her who do I tell?  I think when they can't answer a questions they might as well wear a sign that says "don't bother me." 
I have heard good things....positive things about the surgeon I will consult with in one week...Oct. 4.  I can only hope.  I'm very disappointed in the response I received from the doctor.  I did say "if you are heading this research study, I thought you might be interested."  I wonder if she will answer.  Somehow I am skeptical.  Carol, lets stay in touch.  I had a lot of problems with my hands and cold sensitivity too.  In fact I had Reynaud's for a time....take something out of the refrigerator and my hands would turn blue.  Right now I am just terribly angry and disillusioned with doctors.  I will post when my frame of mind is better.  Patty

[starpolisher]

The doctor got back to me (the one heading this study) and said it was something they will file and see if there is a pattern.  They are making great strides in genetics but years away from answers.  Oh boy.

[starpolisher]

I just spoke with my surgeon who had my blood analyzed for any sensitivities to the knee replacement implants.  He told me I showed sensitivity to the cement used in the replacement.  He said he had one patient who also had the same reaction to the implants (scar tissue/arthrofibrosis) and also showed a sensitivity (there is only one lab in the U.S. in Detroit who tests for this).  He replaced the cement with another type and the arthrofibrosis did not return.  He feels that this is an immune response.  He feels there is inflammation there and that for those of us who don't repond well to the implants, it is due to either allergy of the metal or the cement.  This is his approach.  Since so many of us seem to have hair trigger immune systems, I hope this might help someone....or be some sort of an answer.

[starpolisher]

I had one knee replaced (one down and one to go) with another new one with no cement Feb. 7, 2008.  The cement and scar tissue are gone and my range of motion is far better than it ever was with the other knee with the cement. 

My surgeon photographed the procedure and plans on writing an article in an orthopedic journal. 

My one leg feels so much better and it's not quite 2 months since I had the 1st knee implant replaced with this new implant.  I do have very good physical therapy.  He says my knee feels like a knee of a person without arthrofibrosis and I am doing very well.  I am so thrilled......

Deep down there is a part of me that still worries: what if it  comes back?  I need my other knee done.  I was almost totally crippled before he did this last knee.  He is Dr. Edwin Su, at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.  That hospital is currently rated number one in the country for orthopedics. 

[bella287]

a lot of the symptoms you all are describing sounds a lot like fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome. i have both and just found out a have arthrofibrosis. I read on this board that people with autoimmune disease which fibro/cfs is are more apt to get the arthro. fibro/cfs is thought to be bought on by severe physical or emotional trauma. fibro/cfs also affects healing. good luck all. also I am going to maybe have a m.u.a. can anyone tell me about this, is it the best way to treat arthro. both my extensin and flexion are really bad. tkr 1-14-08. this was my 4th surgery since 11-07  thanks bella

[cwdrlove]

I will add myself to the allergy list:


Tide (if not dye and allergy free) makes me itch like crazy

Lortab and morphine break me out in hives

After a cruise I developed a sun allergy, now sun with out sun screen will break me out in hives

 And on the other note:

I had my append. out when I was 12, in my mid twenties i found out my tubes had scarred down and had filled with fluid. i had them opened up to only scar down again and I had to have them removed due to risk of tubal pregnancy or rupture.

This all started in my 20's and has become more severe in my 30s, including y skin problems and freak break outs

Also, my grandmother had her thyroid removed and father was on medication for his thyroid as well. Mine has been fine except after I had my daughter.

I find this very interesting, but I doubt a dr would listen to the similarities. They all know more than us, don't you know

[tking]

I don't have allergies to fabric softeners or detergents but I have serious allergies to dogs, spring and summer (I take Claritin D everyday), erythromiacin and that particular branch of antibiotics. I also have severe reactions to shellfish and some other types of fish (ingested iodine which makes x-rays with contrast difficult). I have trouble with pain meds. as well. Vicodin makes me vomit, darvocet makes me hallucinate (please keep the guinea pigs off!!!!), have to be careful with dilaudid. Celebrex and Vioxx didn't affect me but were also not effective on the inflammation. When the pain is really bad, I take Tylenol w/Codiene. The everyday anti-inflammatory medication I use is Advil (3 pills 3 times a day. That's a decrease from the 5 pills 2 times a day, the doctor is worried about kidney involvement).

It is interesting that a lot of us with overactive immune responses, maybe we should start our own study!

[horsen4me]

I have been having allergic reactions to Downey fabric softeners and fabric sheets for years.  I now am having problems with going to salons because the shampoos and conditioners make my head itch and I get whelps all over if I don’t get in the shower and rinse off really well.  Now I am finding I start getting itchy if anyone in the house is even using one of these products.  I have been researching on the internet to try and find out what I am allergic .  I did read on a site that they use a plant based ingredient in softeners and I wondered if that may be the irritant since I am allergic to grass.   I know it is a softener used in detergents, laundry sheets, shampoos, conditioners, and soaps.  I seem to do better with clear products and use Arm and hammer detergent. 
Grass.  I am allergic to grass.  I suffer from  Hay fever during the months of May and June.
Penicillin caused hives when it was given to me as a child, so I have never had it again.
Prenatal vitamins caused a bight red circle with raised clear bumps around my mouth the entire time I used them during my pregnancies.  It took me 4 years to figure out it was the vitamins causing this reaction.  I can’t take any vitamins because all I have tried causes this reaction and I have to take an antibiotic to clear the rash or it will continue even after I discontinue the use of the vitamin.  I take tetracycline to clear the rash.
Tooth paste I can’t use mint or spearmint type toothpaste or the same rash occurs around my mouth. Odd since I can eat mint leaves.  It must be a preservative that causes this reaction.  Colgate and Crest  are the ones I found were irritating.  I can use Crest Cinnamon Rush and don’t have a reaction.
Anything interesting or similar reactions please respond would be nice to find some answers and be able to rid our homes of the irritants once and for all.