Why do I keep breaking out in hives??

Furrygirl · 07-06-2006, 04:48 PM

I've been suffering from chronic hives for months now. Mostly on my arms and legs. My Dr. has no idea what could be causing this. I have stopped taking my BCP pill which has helped but I'm still suffering outbreaks (though not as severe). I'm very careful about what I eat, I drink only water and don't use anything that isn't made for sensitive skin. Does anyone have any experience with this?? Its so miserable having this problem, especially in the middle of the summer!!

vtmommy · 07-06-2006, 04:57 PM

I have extremely high histimine, it can be horrible. My dad has it so bad he needs medication, It is common if you have allergies in the summer, the only sign of it may be the hives, If you can get your histimine levels checked, Bad temper is usually a thing that comes with it believe it or not!! HTH!!!

so-tired · 07-06-2006, 04:58 PM

I easily break out in hives myself. Recently I found out I am allergic to blackberries and shellfish. It's a new allergy. I also have cold urticaria (causes me to break out in hives if I get cold quickly).

I would suggest an allergist if you can. A lot of times allergies can sneak up on you.

Oh, and benadryl often helps me.

Best of luck!

Headyfeady3 · 07-06-2006, 05:10 PM

You should make sure that your detergent is not doing it. Also sometimes if you use anitbacterial soap that can do it. I have exzma and those are the problems that I face. I would go see a dermatolgist about it that is the best way to figure it out.

scarletsquirrel · 07-06-2006, 08:18 PM

I had chronic hives for two years. It was horrible, i really feel for you. Get your thyroid checked and get a lupus test. Go to an allergy specialist if you aren't already, they know about medications that your doc probably doesn't. I've heard that adding a secondary histamine found in zantac really helps. Hormonal problems (PCOS) can make allergies worse, so take metformin to get your hormones under control.

I still have break outs but, after two years, its pretty rare and seems to be on the way out.

tansysunshine · 07-06-2006, 08:51 PM

I feel ya, sister. I've had the EXACT same problem. I would break out in hives on my arms and legs, between my fingers and toes, on all extremities, in fact; however, it was not food alergy because I had no problems with face, throat.

The doctor (funny/not so funny story to follow) said I he though I may have "chronic uicaria" (a fancy-smanchy title for constant hives) but could not explain the reasons why. So, he had me keep a diary of foods I ate, perfumes used, reaction to heat/cold. It was pretty much useless for me, but it may click for you.

Have you been using a new detergent? Are you under stress? Your body's histimines are basically going wacko! I would suggest taking benedril or other allergy meds for temp relief. If it continues, see your doc with a diary. Also, there are a number of uticaria support boards out there that are VERY helpful (like this board is!). They have lived with it and know more than I!

Anyway, the story...
I woke up one morning on fire, with bumps all over my body. I went to the doc immediately. He says, "I'm going to scratch something onto your arm. Your skin will react and the answer to your malady will appear..." Well, up comes H I V. I start freaking out: "HIV HIV! I've got HIV! *cursing here*". Then he looks shocked and says, "No. Read the rest." Then E S comes up. What a freaking scary method of telling someone they've got HIVES! Jeesh.

coachswife · 07-06-2006, 09:26 PM

Are you on any other medication? I broke out in Hives when I was on Met.

Eva37 · 07-06-2006, 10:00 PM

......... funny you should say this............ my hand just broke out again this evening................
eva

Skeezix · 07-06-2006, 10:10 PM

Man, I feel your pain. I've recently broken out for the second time in my life. And this one was a doozy. All over my thighs.

The only words of advice I have are ice, ice, ice. It is the only thing that helped with my itching.

Cameryn · 07-06-2006, 10:50 PM

I only break out in hives under extreme stress. It happened the first time when I bought my first home. The dr assumed it was flea bites from the original owner's pets, but I could watch them appear while I was at work! Once I got settled, they stopped. Nothing I took (scrip or otc) helped, though...

beachlover · 07-06-2006, 11:37 PM

I have had hives for days and a week on end, but not for months. Various doctors have said it is probably stress anytime I have had them.. I was given Zyrtec (an antihistamine) and since I have allergies anyway,this medicine helped. I am sure Benadryl, which is an antihistamine may help, but it is possible a prescription may be stronger.

I do think my hives are related to stress, but I also get them as a "reaction" to medication or other environmental factors. I went to using Tide Free detergent, Bounce Free dryer sheets, Cetaphil (actually, the Walmart generic) for cleanser, and then I will just try various soaps here and there to see how I react. It's better for me just to stay away from triggers if I can. I have a couple of antibiotics that cause me to get hives, so I don't take those when I get sick.
Do you have pets? I know I can become allergic to things even if I have been okay with it for years, for whatever strange reason.
Since my experience with hives hasn't been as severe as yours (boy, they itch something awful!!), I would probably do as someone else suggested and see another doctor.
I hope you are able to find some answers and get some relief!
I also think that Benadryl has a clear anti itch lotion that I have used before, as well as Cortizone. I get these flare ups of places that itch often, so I have anti-itch medication on hand all the time-I even have a small tube of Cortizone I carry in my purse, if that tells you anything... : )

JosieFB · 07-07-2006, 12:08 AM

I have read that BCP can cause hives because I suddenly starting breaking out in a rash on my eyes and neck while taking BCP. My rash wasn't hives. I've had those too. They are so weird because the welts move from spot to spot on your body, and cluster around joints. They burn and itch like crazy. The last two times I took a flu vaccine, about one week later, I had a case of hives that lasted about 24 - 36 hours. The doctor didn't believe the flu shot caused hives so long after I've taken it. Both times I have been around mold a day or two before the outbreak - once raking wet leaves and once steam cleaning the mildew off my bathtub. Funny thing is that I have never gotten them at any other time than after the flu shot, and I'm sure I've been around mold many other times in my life.

Both oral and cream benadryl seems to give me some relief.

GAPeach · 07-07-2006, 12:50 AM

I have had sensitive school since I was about 12 (I'm 29 now) Sometimes it can be attributed to a make-up, detergent, body soap, perfume, etc., but sometimes, there's been no obvious reason. The allergist wanted to do allergy testing, but truthfully was of no help. I take Prednisone or a Medrol dose-pak when it gets bad enough, Benadryl hasn't helped for years. I was also given a prescription for a corticosteroid called Triminclone (sp?) creme that I call my magic creme. I can't even sleep on hotel sheets or use their towels--I have to bring my own and/or an air mattress. No one else in my family has this problem. Not sure if it's related to the PCOS or not...

Pattyannruss · 07-07-2006, 04:51 PM

I also suffered with hives.

After a long spell and 2 trips to the ER, I went to an allergist.
He did blood work and it came back as an "Internal infection"
I mentioned the recent PCOS DX and he asked if I had a sonagram to check for cysts. I hadn't yet(no one had suggested it either) So I went back to my reg doctor and it was neg for the first 18 months for cysts.

BUT, I found certain things I eat like cake products, Minute Maid frozen lemonade pops and Choc Chip cookies would trigger them.
This is also when I was DX with insulin resistance. The allergist said it can be common for those with IR and diabeties to have all kinds of allergy problems.

I ended up with endometreosis(A kind of "internal infection") That causes internal bleeding/infection.

At my worst I was switched to Allegra in the morning.
Zyrtec at bedtime.
Predizone for 10 run.

Then as I got better I would cut back on one at a time.

But now I do have some minor allergy problems now and then.

mommy1 · 07-07-2006, 08:03 PM

Wow! I just found this thread and am so releived that I'm not the only one! I have been known to break out in hives when really stressed and around allergins. However I've been battling with hives off and on since November'05! At first we thought it was my daughters pet bunny that was set beside the computer. We got her in April'05 but I didn't have any reactions to her until November so we thought perhaps it was b/c we had put the heat on in the house and she was shedding.... I basically suffered all winter and then in June we put the bunny outside. Well I've still been breaking out in hives, just not as often. Is there really a link with hives and pcos? What is the link with thyroid?? My dr has said my thyroid is fine however, I'm not so sure. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanx.