ALLERGY! Is It the Protein Shake or the Biotin?

[CarmenG 151]

Hey, y'all, it's been a while. Back in May, one month before I had my revision from sleeve to bypass, I began using the Premier Protein shakes for my pre-op diet and taking bariatric Vitamins (including a Multivitamin, Calcium, Iron, and biotin). It started with a tiny, itchy hive on one side of my neck about the size of my thumbnail. It would go away, though, and I'd forget all about it. As the days went by, I would begin to get the itchies again. I noticed I'd get the hives on the other side of my neck now too. At this point, it looks like a ring around my neck. I read about the Premier Protein Shakes being recalled, but that was a while ago. I spoke to my sister who's been an RN for 40+ years, and she thinks it's more likely to be the Biotin rather than the shakes. I stopped taking both 2 days ago. The itchies have stopped, but I'm left with textured skin where the hives were. It almost looks like a healing burn. It's weird. I know I need to see a dermatologist about it, I just have to find one that will see me after work. I can't miss any more work. I'm wondering if any of you have had a similar situation with allergic reactions to either shakes or vitamins. I'd appreciate any information or knowledge that you have. TIA.

[learn2cook 628]

No reactions for me, but I’m reading too much about how people with a predisposition toward asthma and allergies are getting new food allergies after a virus. I would be more concerned about a severe reaction, especially since it encircled your neck. I hope you find your trigger soon!

[Arabesque 7,601]

it seems odd that it comes & goes & each time it returns it’s worse. If it was something you were taking or consuming every day you would think the hives would be there all the time.

Whether it’s the shake or the Biotin (unless you’re taking mega doses) I don’t know. Have you ruled out all the other likely suspects - skin care products, washing powders, soaps, fragrance, any new foods you’ve introduced, etc. You could have a blood test to check your B7 levels & see if by taking the supplement you have more than you need & can drop the biotin just in case it is that.

Hope you find an answer soon.

[ChunkCat 737]

Oh that's no fun... I've heard of people having various issues from too much Biotin. It is why not everyone advises supplementing it. I think it is unlikely to be the shakes, mostly because a true allergy comes from reactions to a Protein IIRC? For the shakes that protein would be in the whey. That means you'd react to ALL whey, which means essentially all cow's dairy products. It is possible to develop an adult true allergy to a protein, but they are rare... However, we can develop intolerances to things and it is possible some additive in the shake is doing it. The reaction you are describing sounds like eczema, it causes that textured skin feeling and sometimes pigment changes. I have a friend that gets it every time she eats cheese! But if it is hives taking benadryl should help noticeably.

I'd quit the biotin, give it a week or two for everything to calm down, then try the shake again. If the rash shows up from drinking it again you should go be tested for a dairy allergy by an allergist. I'm not a doctor, but that's what I'd do...

[ChunkCat 737]

Oh, I just remembered an article I read about hyperallergenic foods. It was about a clear whey Protein Water sold in New Zealand. It cited several cases of extreme reactions to small amounts of the beverage in children known to have a dairy allergy. It seems that in concentrating Proteins into drinks we've created a new class of "hyperallergenic" foods that may send some people's immune systems into overdrive. The interesting part is that their reactions were much more dramatic to the protein water than to actual cow's milk because the protein was so concentrated in the protein water. So I guess it is possible you are developing a dairy allergy and it is showing up when you drink the shake because it is much more concentrated than any other source you are ingesting whey from? Something to think about anyway...

Here's the article: https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2010/12/22/Hyperallergenic-functional-foods-raise-protein-concerns

[CarmenG 151]

So... a little update... the daily recommended dose of Biotin for adults is 30 mcg/day. I was consuming my regular Multivitamin PLUS 10,000 mcg of bioton /day... 5,000 in the AM and 5,000 in the PM... when I stopped taking it, it took about 3 days to stop getting the hives, but I stopped getting the hives. As soon as I'm able, I will make an appointment with a dermatologist. However, I'm pretty sure it was the OVERDOSE of biotin. I was taking it because I'm afraid of the Hair loss, but obviously, TEN THOUSAND micro-grams a day is just too much.

[Arabesque 7,601]

Oh my gracious, no wonder you were having a reaction with that dosage. Yikes!

Nothing will stop the Hair loss. It’s hair that would have fallen out anyway in your usual shedding cycle. That cycle is temporarily accelerated. (The acceleration can happen after any major surgery, pregnancy or other hormonal changes, stressful times, etc.) Your new hair is still growing just it’s usual rate. How much hair you lose is an individual thing just like when it starts & ends. There actually is no scientific e evidence that Biotin stops or slows hair loss. All it may do is strengthen your new Hair growth. The hair you shed is dead - can’t save that. Most people here say there hair loss lasts about 3 months +/- & that’s regardless of whether they take biotin or other supplements.

So glad you’ve discovered the cause.