I have this rash

Hello, starting on Sunday afternoon around noon I began to feel rather itchy all over my body after I change my shirt(the shirt was 100%cotton). I broke out in hives all Over my body drank 2 benadryl the itching sub sided than around 9pm-12am the itching again began after I have taken a shower than went to bed(the sheets are also cotton) so I took another 2 benadryl. Following day I continue to wake up scratching. Went to the doctor he told me I must have ate something over the week that must be causing me this so he gave me an allergy shot in the hopes it will stop it did but later that nite around 4am I have awoken to red bumps on my stomach and little on my arms. I don't know why this is happening I am going for a food allergy test today but I feel that it may be something else and I don't want to have this type of rash anymore. Throughout the week I have eaten the following that the doctor feels may I have caused the hives shrimp, almonds, peanuts, bayleef, and basil. All eaten before Saturday except the bayleef and basil which was eaten Saturday. I change my sheets and I still feel itchy could it be some sort of bedbugs or reaction toward cotton sheets, I haven't change fabric softener should I? Any help be appreciated.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Hives develop in response to an allergic reaction, by the release of histamine. The allergen can be medications, food, extremes of temperature, exercise and viral infections to name a few. So, therapy lies in resolving the infection and anti-histamines. Like mentioned certain foods can cause hives, keep a food dairy to identify and avoid them. It will also help to narrow down the search. If the present anti histamines are not very effective you can consult your doctor for long acting ones.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.