Last summer (2008) and this summer, as wild blackberries become ripe in my area, I have experienced the appearance of painful bumps on my palms and fingers. There is often severe itching of the palm and/or fingers. There is significant pain associated with the raised, reddened bumps, very similar to that caused by an imbedded thorn or splinter deep under the skin. However, there is no puncture, nothing embedded, and no fluid or pus associated with the bumps in any way. Left untreated, the bumps and itch will ebb and flow, and old bumps subside as others emerge. There are NO other symptoms, and no rash or redness on the backs of my hands or any other part of my body. I have experienced this reaction even without approaching or touching (to my knowledge) actual blackberry plants or fruit. I spend a lot of time outdoors during the summer months, and it is possible that there may be other causative factors. I also spend a lot of time indoors and/or in an urban environment, on roughly 1 week cycles, that is, one week with exposure to undeveloped, wooded areas, and one week in a city, in buildings and cars. During the "urban" periods, I have essentially no exposure to plants, dirt, animals, etc. However, during one of the "urban" periods, I ate two (2) ripe blackberries from a buffet, using utensils to pick up and eat the fruit. Within 2 hours, the reaction on may hands occurred. Presenting this ailment to my physician, he diagnosed hives, prescribing Loratidine (Generic Claritin) 10 mg once daily, and Mometasone (Generic Elocon) .1% cream for once daily application. I am not sure of the effectiveness of the cream, but I believe the antihistamine has eliminated the symptoms, although I had to go to 20 mg per day to get control. My questions are: Why would this reaction occur deeply under the skin of my palms and fingers and nowhere else? Is it really hives? Is there some way to verify the specific trigger, should it not actually be blackberries? I would appreciate any feedback on the etiology, and/or any references to other conditions that might be involved. Thank you.