I'm just curious to know if anyone developed strange/new allergies after surgery.

I had my RNY at the end of May and last month I suddenly became allergic to the solar nails I've been getting done for several years.  My fingers itch like mad and the skin on my fingertips dries and cracks. It's happened the last 3 times I've gotten them done so I have resigned to the fact that I have developed an allergy to them and had the coating removed.

In thinking about why I suddenly developed an allergy to them when the salon hasn't changed any of the stuff they use to do them, I was wondering if it could somehow be related to the surgery. Changes in my chemical make-up or what have you.

So I figured I'd ask....anyone else suddenly become allergic to something they never were allergic to before surgery?

I've noticed my reaction to foods has become more pronounced. On occasion pre-op, some foods would stimulate my allergies and cause me to have an excess of phlegm in my throat. I was lactose intolerant pre-op, but that is now gone. I do still get phlegmy after drinking something with dairy - but I am fine if it's a food and I eat it. I can't figure it out. I'm only seven weeks out so we'll see if this is permanent or a temporary thing.

 OMG - me too!! I thought I was the only one.... I'd been lactose intolerant since childhood and now can do regular milk!

When it comes to nail applications, before looking to my surgery I would look to the salon. For several years there have been problems in this area, with women developing fungal or bacterial infections.

 I definitely thought about that as a possibility, but think it's highly unlikely because:

1. It doesn't happen to my toes and I get them done there too.
2. I have several friends who go to this salon and they haven't had any issues.
3. I know the owners and they were truly shocked to see my nails and hadn't heard of anyone else with the problem.
4. It happened on 3 separate occasions with different people (and their separate tools) doing my nails.

That said...I'm still going to see a dermatologist this week to see if it's fungal/bacterial.

Hey Jenny,

I will have to get back to you on this one... I am scheduled to see my allergist on Friday because my hives are completely out of control and nothing is helping to get rid of them.

Splenda. That what casued mine.  Not a single serving, but 2-3... and hives would last a few days to a couple of weeks after I stop using Splenda.   There is a lot of hidden sources of splenda. (I have to read all lables).    Even in some vitamins and chewing gum...  

It sounds like you may have a fungal infection or something similar. 

I thought about that, but is that possible when it totally clears up and goes away without medication, only returning when I get my nails done again 3 weeks later?

I developed adult onset allergies after having a few bouts of Anaphylaxis. After numerous tests and highly sensitive ones at that and after 8 years of having the anaphylaxis, nobody knows what it's from! So I developed chronically severe itching all over, my hands look burned from the intense scratching and my back looks like the exorcist got to it! Before surgery I was on tons of different types of allergy meds, which didn't help, but I was so big, that none of them could even make me drowsy! I am now allergic to grass and pollen, dust, fragrances and many more!

After the surgery, I was briefly taken off all those meds, but gradually the itching started up again, and the intensity has increased along with a new symptom, an unusually itchy and watery left eye.  

Also, I took 2 Benadryl at work one day and got so drowsy, I thought they would think I was drunk! Anyway, I talked to my PCP today and he's prescribing hydroxyzine, at least I'll be able to get some sleep because I haven't slept well in 3 nights. 

My allergist did think that once I had the gastric bypass these allergies would clear up and so did I, but nope not this chronic condition either!