A teaching assistant who rehomed her goldfish after doctors feared they were responsible for her 'pepperoni pizza' rashes was stunned to find the real cause. Morgan Lee Godden, 22, broke out in a painful unexplained rash across her entire body.
Morgan Lee unexpectedly broke out in hives across her back in January, but put the rash down to an allergic reaction to her new bedding. However, within a few days her eyes and lips had swollen to twice their normal size - and the rash had spread across her entire body.
Doctors advised removing new items
After visiting her doctor, Morgan Lee said she was told her symptoms were 'likely an allergic reaction' and advised to remove anything new from her bedroom - including her new goldfish Flow and Rick. She was also told to remove a blue rug bought from Shein in case the chemicals from the blue dye were causing a reaction.
Despite clearing her pets and other bedroom items, Morgan Lee was still breaking out in painful rashes, noticing that her flare-ups were particularly bad after wearing her bra and leggings. It was only when she went to hospital after suffering a high temperature and diarrhoea for two weeks that doctors confirmed her symptoms were not an allergic reaction.
Diagnosis and triggers
A specialist confirmed that Morgan Lee had chronic urticaria - a long-term skin condition defined by itchy red welts, swelling, and a rash, caused by the release of histamine - and angioedema, a sudden swelling beneath the skin caused by a build-up of fluid. The problem was made worse by tight clothing including her bra.
Morgan Lee, who lives in Sheerness, Kent, said: "The first symptom I had was that I came up in hives on my lower back. It was really itchy and I could feel raised lumps on my back. I thought it was an allergic reaction to my new bedding I'd got as a present."
She added: "I had to stop wearing makeup, stop wearing perfume. I also realised tight clothing was a trigger, especially underwear. The rash would be in the shape and outline of my bra. I used to wear leggings for work. The material of them, I could just feel them irritating my skin. I was later told sweat, overheating, stress, hormones can all be triggers."
Managing the condition
In June, Morgan Lee was eventually diagnosed with the two long-term skin conditions after being referred to a specialist. Her symptoms are managed with medication and through avoiding triggers such as tight clothing, sweating, excessive exercise, stress, and hormonal changes.
Morgan Lee said: "I felt relieved because I thought at least now I can get better. I've always wanted children, but now I'm worried if that's an option for me because of how much pain I could be in because of the hormone change. They told me my body could go into anaphylactic shock but it wouldn't be from an allergic reaction, it would be because my body was overproducing histamine. That does scare me. My anxiety is higher."
She concluded: "I never wear leggings anymore, I don't wear bras as much and, if I do, I just have to deal with the flare-ups. The medication has massively made a difference. The rashes are controlled. I just feel more like myself."
