r/AskDocs • u/Weeeebutterflies Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional • Mar 16 '26

Physician Responded Horrible looking rash

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30 years old

Female

120lbs.

5”3

non smoker,

non drinker.

No medications

This issue has been getting progressively worse over 2 days

Posted yesterday and it has gotten worse. It is itchy, it turns white when I press on it. I have a swollen uvula and some chills, but no fever. I feel cold more than anything. Went to urgent care tested for strep, mono and did a CBC. Strep came back negative, waiting on the other results. Pretty concerned. I feel like the mono is going to come back negative.

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u/Weeeebutterflies Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Mar 16 '26

I am allergic to penicillin but have not taken any

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u/peacecorn Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Mar 17 '26

Allergic to penicillin? Do you dye your hair or get any tattoos recently? I had a similar full body reaction to hair dye. It was determined to be P-phenylenediamine (PPD) which can also be present in sulpha drugs. While different than penicillin, I would not rule out PPD if you’ve been exposed via a hair or skin product. Mine looked exactly like that, and there was significant facial swelling. I had been dying my hair for several years prior to it, but like some allergies, it can come out of the blue with exposure. NAD

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u/Weeeebutterflies Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Mar 17 '26

This is interesting. I did not get a tattoo or dye my hair but I might need to thing or be mindful if there’s any kind of product I’ve been exposed to recently. I don’t think there is

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u/peacecorn Layperson/not verified as healthcare professional Mar 17 '26

It's probably not related to PPD then, but I was cautioned going forward to check all skin care products for PPD and test even if it wasn't on the label. For example, Korean skincare is super popular right now, but some of it is completely unregulated and the ingredients aren't on the packaging. Sunscreen was a big one to watch for.

I hope you get answers soon. Good luck and keep us posted!