I have very itchy hives for the past 3 months, What could it be?
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I had the same condition, and it was treated with Claritin.
I had become just hyper allergic for a period of 4 months, or so, so much that i was actually allergic to my own skin (if one leg touched the other, etc)
My MD told me that stress can activate this condition.
Other Answers:
It could be stress..have you tried Calomine Lotion? I know, the website is from the UK, but it is available in the U.S. also. Works well on itchy hives.
My son does this..he has Eurothymia Multiform..it is a blood condition..he gets welts & when they go away.it looks like someone came along & just kept poking him & he bruised where they poked him at..I just have to give him oatmeal baths for the itching & put some Calymine Lotion on them afterwards.I also have to carry a medical alert card with us so that we dont get "questioned" about his bruises..he also takes Benadryl on a daily basis..per the Pediatrician.try asking the Dr if this might be the case..not all people have "bruises" when the welts go away..but they still might have the condition.my son is at his worse if he gets too hot or runs a high fever..GOOD LUCK
Possible Types and Causes:
Aquagenic: Reaction to water (rare)
Cholinergic: Reaction to body heat, such as when exercising or after a hot shower
Cold: Reaction to cold, such as ice, cold air or water
Delayed Pressure: Reaction to standing for long periods, bra-straps, belts
Dermatographism: Reaction when skin is scratched (very common)
Heat: Reaction to hot food or objects (rare)
Solar: Reaction to direct sunlight (rare)
Vibration: Reaction to vibration (rare)
Adrenergic: Reaction to adrenaline / noradrenaline (extremely rare)
Urticaria or hives is a relatively common form of allergic reaction that causes raised red skin welts
Treatments:
Oral antihistamines provide a good solution for acute urticaria. The medication will reduce the itching and help the welts disappear. Antihistamines mainly reduce sensitivity. Short term side effects include drowsiness, while long term side effects can lead to a less responsive immune system. In the case of chronic urticaria, a combination of H1 (ie, Zyrtec, Allegra, etc.) and H2 (ie, Zantac, Tagamet) antihistamines usually helps in these cases where H1 antihistamines alone do not give any results. In extreme cases a strong immunosuppressant such as prednisone may be prescribed.
Oatmeal baths and anti-pruritic lotions can also be used to relieve the itching.
Detox baths usually consist of aromatherapic remedies such as Epsom salt in combination with body oil and water at high temperatures for 20 minutes. The method essentially forces the skin to perspire and excrete any potential toxin. It is not recommended for individuals with heart conditions. Efficacy of detox baths is suspect at best.
The "Chem-Free" or "Organic" technique is a newer method claimed to be very effective against chronic urticaria, purportedly countering detergent residue chemical compounds by reducing toxicity levels in the body. The technique requires the patient to wear newly acquired clothes that have never come in contact with laundry detergent chemicals. The clothes collection includes bed sheets and bath towels, which are all washed with cold-water long rinse cycles and high volumes of baking soda (NaHCO3). Clothes are hung dry to eliminate heat combustion with existing chemical residue in dryer. The patient's skin only comes in contact with the chemical-free clothes for the entire duration of 8-10 weeks. This method has been claimed to work for individuals suffering as much as 5 years of chronic urticaria. However, there is no evidence from clinical trials for its efficacy. See evidence-based medicine.
Frequent use of moisturizers on the skin may add an extra layer of protection
Ok, it could be a number of things. I am not trying to freak you out, but have you checked your mattress? It could be bed bugs. Okay, before you go tearing out your hair calm down! Bed bugs usually leave welts on the skin, sometimes blistery. Scabies is caused by a microscopic mite that burrows into the skin. It would appear as a rash with tiny bumps almost like a heat rash on the stomach, face, back, hands, and buttocks areas. If the welts appear like red patches, that change size and shape over a period of a couple hours, then it is hives. Hives are usually caused by an allergy to something airborne, or a food allergy such as shell fish (shrimp). Check your mattress first, or if you are too freaked out have someone else to do it. Lift up the mattress and check the box spring. Bed bugs look flat almost whitish clear, but when they have been biting you they fill and become round and brownish, reddish in color. Yes, it's because of your blood. Anyhow, enough with the creepy stuff! If it is bed bugs, call your local exterminator, and have your bedrooms and mattress sprayed. Wash all sheets and blankets in very hot water, add a cap full or two of Clorox Bleach to the water if your bedding is light in color! If it is Hives take an over the counter antihistamine such as Benadryl! If it is Scabies, which I doubt it is, based on what you have described Then see your family doctor so that he or she can give you are prescription for parasitic treatment. If you cannot reach your doctor for the scabies, bed bugs, or hives. Take a shower with a lice shampoo. and apply a parasitic cream that can be found in your local drug store usually for the treatment of lice. Do your laundry indeed! Spray your mattress with a solution of Clorox Bleach. let air dry, and sleep on the sofa or floor. Remember bed bugs are not micro-scopic like the mite that causes scabies. The mite that causes scabies, could be treated the same way as lice. I hope all this didn't freak you out. Take Care, and don't worry things will be back to normal in no time! Also a special note, bed bugs can travel from place to place, such as from a hotel bed mattress. Bed Bugs are not caused by being unclean either, but cleaning you bedding on a week to week basis is good and healthy for you for many reasons!
It maybe something you don't even know you are allergic to.hives can appear instantly on skin contact. when allergens are ingested or breathed in,it can be instant or up to 72 hours later your hives appear.
Have you changed laundry detergents,shampoos,soap.. many changes like that , can cause hives.
Ask your dermatologist for a referral to an allergist or to be blood tested again.a dermatologist only deals with skin problems..an allergist deals with the full allergy problems.I have seen both and my first one was both( had since I was 2 weeks old,he unfortunately died ).
Always get your doctors reports &,copies of test results,just in case your doctor moves or dies..most states only require they be held for 7 years after a doctor dies..and it is up to the doctors family,if they let you know of their death.Then the records can be thrown away.Not way to retrieve them either.
There are better products than Dermac cream..one is a tar based gel (tar dries up the hives ,sometimes overnight)it's called "Estar"..sold at most drugstores,though usually behind the counter,though no Rx is needed.Another ones is "Salina",it works about the same,and takes the itch & burn of the hives away.That too can be found at a drugstore..usually with the other anti itch medicines.Benadryl anti itch pens and creams work well,as they attack the histines that cause the hives.
Cortiesone makes it worse after a few uses.use only if needed..and it doesn't take the itch away.
25 mgs-50 mgs. of Benadryl every 6 hours for 14 days (allergian protiens can stay in the bodies system for 14 days)helps also..be careful as it will make you drowsy..it stops the histines internally,that cause hives to appear.
Keep an eye on your kidneys also,as allergic reactions affect them too.I had to have artery stenois due to 8 severe eactions in 14 months to sulfa based heart meds,the dr. didn't believe that sufalmites were the same things as sulfa .The water retention from my kidneys not working,caused the hypertention.Thankfully I have found a new cardiologist who is aware the body can't spell & sulfa anything is still sufla.
Products with dyes & Lakes (coloring) are a source of many outbreaks too.if you have a metal allergy.as they have a bsae of podwered alulium.
To find out which foods maybe causing it.only a food diary will work ..look up what the most common food allergies are online..nuts & bananas top the list.shellfish is another one.
You will also need to know what allergic reactions are.it's not just hives and swelling.(About.com)
I have a latex allergy.didn't know about it til I saw a new allergist after a nasty reaction to an acident ingestion of shrimp.He had me do a list of my food allergies.When he read:starwberries,kiwis,banaba. nuts ,avacados,and peaches,he asked about latex.then did a blood test..I was on a very high dose of antihistamines and still had a very dangerously high count.
Avoidance is the only way to stay safe from your allergies.
When they blood test or skin test you.remember not ot be on any antihistamines for at least 36 hours.as it will give a fasle test result..which could be why your cat allergy didn't show up .
A skin test is very dangerous if youhave more than one or two severe allergies..also stay away from desensitizing/allergy reduction shots..as the more you expose yourself to allergies.the worse they become..if people outgrew their allergies..I wouldn't be allergic to latex,as I was a dental assisatnt for 14 years..had 4 series of allergy shots.the last time I was skin tested to have another series,I went into anaphaltic shock (severe allergic reaction's new medical term,helps the ER drs. use the right medical treatments).
About.com is a great site to learn more about allergies,causes and the lastest treatments..it even has a forum to find out what others have for information through personal experiences.
Source(s):
lived with allergies since I was 2 weeks old,(Iam 46 now)was a test subject for most of the treatments used now and many that didn't work or made it worse.my son has allergies too and an awesome Pulmonary/Allergist.who has either agreed with me on all this or gievn me the information.he sent me to About.com also.You have to do a search for allergies on there to find the place about them.
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