Unknown Allergy/Itching

[butterflyscotia]

I'm post this question because, I'm at a loss really. I'm saying it's a allergy but, really I have no idea. I've been battling my  unknown itching/allergy for about a year.  It  all started when I worked at a local retail/department store and dealing with heavy chemicals. My own doctor said it was from the Chemical. Gave me a steroid pill for take for x amount of days and it did go away. I also changed jobs. I still to this day will be great for a month or so But, the unknown itching still comes back. The only way it go away is by steroid pills or steroid cream. I've gone to Dermatologist who ran test just to tell me,  he thought it was Eczema but then, no telling me he's baffled, no idea. Because, if it was Eczema the creams would of worked and they only made it worse. He though I was allergic to something but, everything he told me to do nothing. I changed soaps, no perfumes, changed laundry detergents, even gave my cat to a friend so, I'm around no pets. Nothing. When this rash does come on it's everywhere. It makes your skin red and has little bumps. It's just red and it looks like your irritated by something. No over the counter lotions, no oatmeal bath, or allergy medications work. I have literally tired every on the market as my doctor suggested that would calm it down. I have no medical coverage so, I've been paying this myself, as of now and the only thing that works, is steroids. When I have this Allergy as 3 doctors tell me I have. They give me Steroids and then, same thing all over again 1-2 months later. This itching keep me up at night so, I can't sleep. It doesn't matter where I am if I am itching or have this rash I can't function. You live your life around this unknown itching. I have noticed that when I'm hot and i have this itching it's at it's worst. Any type of water on the itch is terrible. You itch until you almost bleed because it's the most terrible itching ever. The steroids made me gain weight over the last year about 35 pounds heavier and the steroids also makes me tired and mood swings. I've been to several different doctors and they have no idea what I have. I'm at a loss, I have no idea what it is just, Any, Any suggestions or help would be great. Thank you

[Nortecia]

Well i have had a liver transplant on january 5 2008 , And i havent experiend any of the itching before i received my transplant . Everysince ihad my transplat done i've been itching for 3 days all over my body. There are no signs of hives , Wen i scratch it makes it worse . Heat irritate it and so does water Hot or cold . My doctor have me on a steroid called prednisone , He says the itching starts wen my enzymes are low , But i dont think so but he says the steroid should help . It doesnt hel right away , I scratch so hard that it forms welps on my body , And this itchin comes every month almost around the same time ! I dont kno what i should do And idnt kno whats going on but i would like to find out.

[margypops]

I have Hives and the same kind of rash you describe, the Urticaria burns not just itches and comes up in Welts kind of whitish on a red background I also get the small spots on my legs, I dont take steroids at all, or anti histimines as I have had side effects from both of them worse than the Hives they are treated for, I found the Tests useless, and the Docs I went to dont hnow a thing, maybe thats around here, I have wondered if it was something in the enviroment and made worse by the Heat, as I live in Southern CAI do a lot of research online to find out the Natural way to go about it, I have had this problem about 8 weeks since I had Dental work done,so I am also trying to figure out what I am allergic to if anything.Put Chronic Urticaria into your search Engine there is a lot of stuff up there, I am also trying a Histimine Free diet that was reccomeded/

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

You seem to be having hives. Urticaria (or hives) is a skin condition, commonly caused by an allergic reaction, that is characterized by raised red skin wheals (welts).
. Urticaria is generally caused by direct contact with an allergenic substance, or an immune response to food or some other allergen, but can also appear for other reasons, notably emotional stress.sometimes hives can be idiopathic i.e without any cause.

I think that it is best to consult an allergy specialist and get yourself diagnosed for allergies.The tests for allergies include skin ***** tests and blood tests like RAST.

Treatment of hives is very challenging.The mainstay of treatment of hives is antihistaminics which may be needed for prolonged intervals.Sedating antihistaminics like diphenhydramine are usually taken at night to relieve the intense itching associated.Steroids are taken for chronic and severe cases.

If none of the medicines prove helpful,then immunotherapy or allergy shots are helpful.
You can discuss these options with your allergy specialist.

Take care and pls do keep us posted on how you are doin