allergy to something in supplements

[satlih]

hi,
i need some help. a couple of years ago i bought l-lysine supplements. 15 minutes after taking the first pill (with water)  my face started to burn, i was feeling lightheaded, my heart started beating. my face was red, gotten really scared and called my doctor, she told me to take an antihistamine. after a couple of minutes i was great. so i thought i was allergic to lysine, but after some time i tried to take another pill, just to see what would happen, and nothing did, i finished the box with no problem, no reaction. bought another one and finished it, again with no problem. then a year ago i bought b complex supplement, a different manufacturer and the same thing happened, i got a severe allergic reaction. i've been taking food supplements for a long time and never had any trouble, only these two times. i would really like to know what could the allergen be so that i could protect myself, don't know where to start, it is a very strange case

[allmymarbles]

Look at all the ingredients in the supplement causing the problem and eliminate them one by one.

[satlih]

Thank you very much for your response. but i was wondering, why didn't the second pill of the lysine supplement have the same effect, i actually continued to take lysine for two years with no such episode, the same goes for the b vitamin supplement. and why did the antihistamine help me

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, welcome to the forum, certain supplement is known to cause flushing in some individuals. You are not allergic to it as such. It causes direct vasodilation of the skin, related either to the component directly or its metabolite.  Such accumulation of agent can be potent trigger of flushing, hypotension and palpitations. Sometimes when these supplements contain vasoactive substances (such as tyramine, histamine and sulfites) that contribute to the flushing response.

Even neurologic disorders that disturb autonomic function anywhere along the nervous system can lead to flushing.

Many medications cause flushing which includes Calcium channel blockers, calcitonin, high dose intravenous methylprednisolone, opiates, cholinergic drugs, contrast media, vancomycin, amphotericin B, and many chemotherapeutic agents.

I suggest you to consult physician to rule out the appropriate cause for the same. Take care and regards.