CHRONIC HIVES/RASH COMES AND GOES

[TOM SMITH]

Shortly after my wife had our son about a year ago, she developed a rash which would pop up in an area on her body and then quickly disappear.  It would then pop up in another area and minutes/hours later disappear.  This went on for about a month before it went away completely.  About 2 months ago, this started up again.  These hives usually range anywhere from pea-size to quarter-size and are intensely itchy.  After they fade, they leave a circular red mark for a few hours (sometimes days).  She has no known allergies, other than ragweed, hayfever,etc.  She has no food allergies that she is aware of.  She is generally in healthy condition.  Benadryl helps with the itching, but makes her drowsy, so she can only use it at night. Have you heard of this before?  Any suggestions?  Thank you.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Tom:

What you're describing are urticaria, or hives.  99% of the time, hives are not allergic, but instead come for no reason.  They come and go, changing from hour to hour.  Hives appear as red, itchy bumps.  They may disappear for long periods, only to recur another time, often much later.

People always try to correlate hives with something.  Favorites are: food, soap, detergent, fabric softener, viruses, and stress.  These correlations rarely stand up.

My advice to hive-sufferers is:
1. Don't make yourself crazy looking for allergies.
2. Don't do blood tests.
3. Apply an OTC itch lotion as needed (Sarna is good.)
4. Take an OTC antihistamine if needed 1-3 times a day, such as diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine.
5.  Relax--hives generally go away as mysteriously as they came.  And they aren't contagious.

Good luck.

Dr. R

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[sheryl]

I too suffer from hives that seem to come and go.  I have heard that they can also be stress related.  Whatever the reason, they are irritating and very itchy!!!   Best of luck to you.