Date: 201507
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty); Flight Attendant In Charge
Reporter qualification: Flight Attendant Current
Human factors: Physiological - Other; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Detector: Person Flight Attendant; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight; Pre-flight
Result: General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Procedure; Company Policy
Primary problem: Company Policy

Narrative: I was working on CRJ200. Unsure of the exact time; I began itching profusely throughout my entire body. The AC had undergone maintenance for two days when we took this AC in the early morning for the entire day. I complained to the FO that there were many bugs on AC and thought they were biting thru my clothing. FO told me to be careful of what I touched as he found grey paint on his uniform pants from wet paint in flight deck and wasn't sure if anything else was painted on AC. FO stated he was taking a picture of the paint on his uniform slacks and sending to [name omitted] in inflight for replacement. FO stated it would have been nice if we had been informed of the wet paint when we entered the AC. I was on this AC from sunrise until sunset with one short 10 minute break in between the 5 legs with minimal turn time. I had an allergic reaction. Not sure if it was from paint; chemical or toxic substance. Once I arrived home; I truly believed this is why the itching was severe. The day after the trip I was taken to the ER as extremely large welts; hives took over every part of my body beside my face. My ears and throat we're also itching as a result of this reaction. I was immediately taken into triage and given IV meds to counteract the reaction. Once stabilized; I was sent home with medications including epi-pen. Cause of reaction was unknown. The medication given in the ER had to be adjusted as it was not working and the hives haven't ceased. My PCP stated I could not be allergy tested at this time but would do so once I was off the medication for 3 days. I cannot stop the medication until the itching stops. As of today; [2 days later]; I am still undergoing the reaction. My PCP asked me to call my inflight manager for a list of chemicals and the Safety Data Sheets of all chemicals used on this aircraft to narrow down the extensive chemical testing and hopefully rule out these chemicals. This could be a food allergy as well. I have never had a food allergy but aware that this is something that can happen at any time in life. Extensive allergy testing is necessary to resolve this allergy. I do not feel comfortable or safe at this time to enter any aircraft until the allergy is identified and I have the knowledge of keeping myself safe.




Synopsis: A Flight Attendant suffered anaphylactic shock following a full day's flights on an aircraft returned to service that morning following two days of maintenance. The aircraft had areas of wet paint; but the etiology of the anaphylaxis is unknown.