Did I get HIVES? has been 2 weeks burning and itching all over, the red patches won't go away, Help !!!

[dakkisu]

I never have these symptoms, it is the first time. I have rashes borke out all over my whole legs and arms, some are located on my back. They are red and allways very itchy. They look puffy and feels burning if I scratch them. Once I start scratching, I can't stop and new bumps and patches come up. My family doctor said it is an allergic reaction, but i don't think it's that simple....... is it HIVES??????? !!!!

attached pictures!!!!
my leg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/ykhkz/leg.jpg
my arm
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/ykhkz/arm.jpg?t=1240870402

It's been 2 weeks since Apr 13th, 2009.........at the beginning they were just some small bumps, now they join together, irregular shape, even my palms and fingers have them now. The color of the old hives seems fade a little bit compare to last week. However, the red patch are still there, it won't go away, the skin just looks darker

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/toc-image-picture-of-hives-urticaria

This website said hives could last for 6 weeks. New hives can continue to develop as the old areas fade..... it's same as my condition...... The article says if it last for more than 6 weeks, then it could become a lifetime problem!!! I am so scare.

I take showers with warm water everyday. I have been taking Zyrtec,10mg one tablet daily and using Caladryl Lotion for itch relief.... my uncle also give me some fluocinolone acetonide cream which he got from his doctor last year when he had rashes, but couldn't help that much, still very itchy......expecially at night, midnight , all night long !!!!!  I can't sleep at all !!!!!!

My doctor gave me some prescription drug today call MethyIPREDNISolone TABLETS, USP 4mg. She said I can't take too much of this drug. It's only for a week. I don't know what I can do if it doesn't cure my rashes.

Is it HIVES?? What kind of medicine or what should I do to help to stop the rashes???


i am burning, itching, and dying..... somebody please help me ....

[dakkisu]

Thank you so much for your reply. I bought Vitamin C 500mg yesterday form Walmart. My mom also told me I should take some Vitamin E. Does Vitamin E help?

I don't know what I am allergic to. My family doctor couldn't find the exact causes. Maybe because of dust or seafood? Those are the only 2 causes I can think of. I am taking fashion design courses, so I have to work with fabrics. I did ate shrimp one Apr 10th, I ate crab on Apr 11th, and I ate shrimp again on Apr 12th, then I have rashes on Apr 13th....... ||||||||  

For some reasons, my symptoms seem to get better today, I took 2 tablets methylprednisolone and Vitamin C last night. The itching calm down a lot, and the color of the red patches seem start to fade. However, when I walk or if I scratch the skin, new hives would still come up and itchy.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

I cannot confirm anything without examination but from the picture and symptoms,it looks like hives. Hives (medically known as urticaria) are red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes. They have a tendency to change size rapidly and to move around, disappearing in one place and reappearing in other places, often in a matter of hours.Many cases of hives are "idiopathic," meaning no cause is known. Others may be triggered by viral infections or medications.

Take non-sedating antihistamines such as Cetirizine(Zyrtec) or Loratadine(Claritin to get symptom relief. Sedating antihistamines such as Chlorphenamine(Benadryl) are used at night to get urticaria control. Short courses of oral cortisone or steroids are taken for short periods (one to three days) to settle more severe symptoms.Also apply calamine lotion and a mild steroid cream on the bumps.
You may take Vitamin C along with the prescribed treatment. Vitamin C is a general anti-allergy supplement. It helps stabilize mast cells so they are less likely to release histamine.

If the symptoms persist then pls get it evaluated from a dermatologist. If the hives don’t go after 6 wks of treatment also, then it can be a case of chronic urticaria which needs further evaluation as it may be due to auto antibodies.It is also true that you should not use steroids(methylprednisolone)for a longer time as it will cause more side effects.

I hope that helps. Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries. Kind regards.