Over the last couple of days I've started breaking out in hives

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Over the last couple of days I've started breaking out in hives on the back of my arms and calves. I haven't recentlly changed my diet, I've purchased no new clothing. It only seems to happen at night. Any Ideas, I'm not sure what causes hives.

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Male, Age: 38, Virginia

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benedryl

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

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Hello Customer (name blocked for privacy),

Hives are essentially an allergic reaction. What happens is that you are reacting to some substance, and your skin is producing histamines that itch and swell in response, creating the hive like rashes. Thats why benadryl, an antihistamine, is effective.

Hives typically are from CONTACT, so, whats contacting you on the back of your arms and calves, at night? My first thought here is that you sleep on your stomach, and the blanket you have has something that irritates you. Maybe you sleep in a T shit and sweatpants, thus accounting for the area that does get the hives.

New washing detergent? New blanket? New partner you share a bed with?

I hope that helps,

Sincerely,

Susan

Need anything else? Please, ask. And dont forget to click the *ACCEPT* button (so I get PAID for my work) and take a moment to leave me *POSITIVE* feedback if you feel its warranted. BONUS's are always welcome.

I assumed as much, which is why I took the Benadryl. However, the hives haven't stopped, and nothing is new... no detergents, no linens, no soaps,shampoos, or deoderants, nothing is different in the last couple of days. Can hives be caused by something other than contact, or could the reaction be a result of something I contacted 3 or 4 days ago?

Hi Paul,

In theory yes, there are delayed hypersensitivity reactions..and that can take 3 days to form. Was there something new 3 or 4 days ago? Contact dermatitis (and from what you write it sounds like it is) generally is where the irritation or the allergen occured. Generalized hives can be anywhere. You say the skin reaction is localized, so thats why I am heading for contact dermatitis rather than hives in my thoughts. But I provide you weblinks to images of both, so you can say which is closest to what you have,

The medical term for hives is uticaria, here is a decent Wikipedia article on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticaria

And images of hives: http://www.dermnet.com/thumbnailIndex.cfm?moduleID=19&moduleGroupID=578&groupIndex=0&numcols=0

Images of contact dermatitis, another form of hives: http://www.dermnet.com/thumbnailIndex.cfm?moduleID=7&moduleGroupID=156&groupIndex=0&numcols=0

I hope I was able to help,

Sincerely,

Susan

PS: please do NOT press Accept for this as its follow up and continuation of the discussion...unless you wish to be charged twice

Edited by Nurse Susan on October 14 2007 at 10:17 PM

Reply to Nurse Susan's Post: I travelled to Cinn. OH last week, returning Friday at around 2PM. God knows what could have been on the plane, but I wore long pants and a jacket for the flight. The hives more closelly resemble the photos for Cholinergic Urticaria. However, the raised areas are skin tone or white, and are only red at the very edges. They are on my abdomin as well tonight, new developement.

Hi Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Thank you kindly for the bonus. Yes, only God knows what was on that plane. I cant imagine they fed you anything but snacks on the plane....but its possible that some perfume or something someone wore had that effect. Are you allergic to ANYTHING?

Dermatology is almost impossible online...my best guess based on what you say is that it IS hives and not a contact dermatitis...especially if its now on your abdomen. If it is hives as we suspect, keep taking the benadryl. Try not to scratch. IF you develop troubles breathing, go immediately to the Emergency Room.

Im sending you a link to a rare VERY rare type of allergic reaction called erythema multiforme, or Steven Johnson Syndrome. It generally comes as a result of a drug allergic reaction, or even a virus. I dont think you have this, but I did want you to be aware of the condition, just in case it would develop: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000851.htm

I think in a couple of days as the allergen goes away you will feel better. Of course, if that does NOT occur, and you get worse (as descibed in above link), do seek medical attention.

Please do NOT click Accept as this is continued follow up; you already paid and have been more than generous.

Sincerely,

Susan

Reply to Nurse Susan's Post: Nothing on the plane, but a can of Sprite. No abnormal food for weeks. It does not look as severe as the photos for Erythema Multiforme. No Blistering. I have no known allergies to food, pollen, fabrics, or medications, which is why this has me concerned. No other symptoms exsist. I feel fine, except for the welts, which are not extremlly uncomfortable, but are still odd.

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