I am 24 years old and have been breaking out in hives for over a month. I havent changed any soaps, lotions, or anything. I just woke up one day with them! They come sporadically and at no specific time. They are pretty large in size and are very itchy. I have been to my primary who did a blood test and found nothing. I have an appointment with an allergist and dermatologist very soon. If anyone has any idea what could be the cause or how I can ease the hives and itching, please let me know! There is nothing worse than itching all day!
Note*** I DO NOT have AIDS or any other STD's! I go to my doctor and get tested frequently!
2007-02-19 07:55:28 · 6 answers · asked by specialme9 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Skin Conditions
If the hives get really bad, go to urgent care or call your doctor again and ask them to prescribe prednisone or a similar immune system suppressant until you can determine what is causing them. Severe hives can swell or scar and can be dangerous. Also, ask your doc to check for rheumatory arthritis (RA) and lupus, just in case. I have RA and broke out in hives like you describe around Thanksgiving time. It had never happened tome so I thought as you did that it was soap, cosmetics, food, etc. and I wracked my brain trying to figure out what was causing them. I didn't know it could be a reaction to the arthritis unil my doc referred me to a different rheumatologist. That may be worst case scenario, but more information is better than less. Hives can also be brought on or worsened by stress, hot water or weather and a hostof other things. Mine are gone now and yours will go away too (I know it seems like they won't, lol)... just hang in there. Good luck!
2007-02-19 08:11:04 · answer #1 · answered by hrh_gracee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably your laundry detergent... try using sunlight sensitive skin and see if that makes a difference. The worst laundry detergents that cause hives are Tide, Gain, etc all the really scented ones. Also fabric softener, bounce sheets etc are really irritating.. I suggest you cut out all those products in your laundry and just use the sunlight sensitive.. if thats what causing the problem you should notice a difference within a few weeks. By the way allergies often develop from things that you were never allergic to before and have been using for years.. I get hives from everything.... so I can only use certain kinds of stuff like Ivory soap, certain shampoos, hand cream, mosturizer, laundry detergent, dish soap, I cant use fabric softener or bounce shets etc or I wil break out in hives. Most of the allergies developed over time when using the same products. I think you should try limiting the amount of scented products that come in contact with your skin like some of the things I have mentioned soap, lotion, detergent, shampoo/conditioner.. etc for example when you wash your hair dont let the shampoo run down your skin.. keep it off of you. PS in the meantime take an allergy medication.. doesnt matter what kind.. benadryl, claritin, reactine, etc they will help if it is an allergy.
2007-02-19 16:11:17 · answer #2 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a really itchy rash last year and I used the benadryl pills also used one of those anti-itching creams in the pharmacy area that you can buy over the counter. Worked great for me. I dont know what your hives are from either, you'll have to talk to your doctor. Dermatologist did not know what mine was! She told me to use the anti-itch cream and take benadryl and it went away.
2007-02-19 15:59:51 · answer #3 · answered by trishay79 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're just going to have to find out what you're allergic to. And the allergist or dermatologist should find that out once they test you for the allergies. You can take Benedryl for the itching...but of course you can't take it all the time........cause it'll make you sleepy as well. I wish you the best of luck.
2007-02-19 16:03:50 · answer #4 · answered by cajunrescuemedic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can get hives from prolonged useage from something. My suggestion is to go to the doctor. and if you have trouble breathing and the hives is around you're neck go to the emergency room
2007-02-19 16:58:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be any type of meds or otc pills, like aspirin.
Could be your mattress too.
Could be the air.
2007-02-19 15:58:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋