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HIVES I THINK??

Hi, I'm a 22 year old female. I have been back and forth to the doctors, First I noticed a slight break out on my arms, thighs, and a little on my stomach and back on December 21, 2009 I took benedryl and it went away. The next day I was extremely tired and cold, i left from work and came home and took my temp. it was 102.7 I took some motrin and it went down. No rash only a fever and a little light headache, I had a stiff neck only in the morning, probably because I was in bed for a few days and had my pillows kind of high up. I went to the doctor Monday on the 28th of December because my fever would go up and down. Never went over 102.7. The doctor gave me ZITHROMAX and figured I had a sinus infection since my nose was a little stuffy. I took the medicine for 2 days and the Rash came back. It starts off as ant looking bites all on my hands and later turn into mosquito looking bites and raise up . It would only come at night and go away in the morning. One day it would just be on my arms, the next maybe my feet and legs, always in a different location. The itching became so severe I went back to the Doctor on Wednesday, Dec, 30th. She figured it was the prescription and told me to stop taking it, and take Benedryl. I have been dealing with the rash since then to the present date. Jan 9th 2010!. I did however go to a Determatologist Monday Jan, 4th 2010. Because the Rash was itching so bad I couldn't take it. I had no fever or anything just the rash!. He gave me a prescription called ATARAX for itching. He only looked at my skin and told me maybe it was a allergic reaction to medication I took a few weeks back and didn't remember. I may have took Advil or something for a headache, but I'm not a big medicine taker. I did however had eaten MUSSELS for the first time on December 12th. I forgot to mention it to him because I was only thinking of foods I had in the last few days. The pills do help the itching a lot, however the rash still comes and goes. It's not as severe but i been lying in bed since I first became sick. Now the last few days, my body is a little achy in the morning and i have a slight stiff neck. I noticed swollen lympnodes on my hairline today, and a very stuffy nose. I have been coughing up greenish/yellow mucus in the morning, as If I have a cold! Please tell me WHAT COULD BE GOING ON???? I'm so tired of the rash. today i finally got out the house and i felt good. hardly no itching but the rash is starting to come up as I type this message.  Please HELP!!!!!
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563773 tn?1374246539
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Other causes include allergic reactions, arthritis, cancer, metabolic diseases, and an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

In sinusitis, the glands in the neck are most likely to swell—a common response to a cold or upper respiratory infection. But this type of swelling can occur only if sinusitis is  a result of infection(bacterial, fungal or viral).

Treatment for inflamed, swollen lymph nodes, also known as lymphadenitis, depends on the cause. In some cases, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and warm compresses may be all you need. For more serious cases, treatment of swollen lymph nodes involves treating the underlying cause.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much, I do much better with the hives. Now it's only a few spots or none at all. No itching, however now I still have the fever, and body aches now. The lympnodes are still around my hairline and that are very sore to touch. Could this be from the allergic reaction or maybe a cold. It's as if when one symptom leaves something else seems to appear. No rash, but my fever is back and my joints ache in my ankle and elbow. I'm not in much pain today like a few days ago, I am still taking my medication for the hives and i'm taking alka-seltzer cold plus. My nose is very stuffy at night and my fever comes and goes.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
What you seem to be having is 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.

They are of two types:acute and chronic(when hives persist for more than 6 weeks). The most likely triggers for acute urticaria are allergies to pets, horses, latex and foods, such as shellfish and nuts,bee or wasp stings,allergies to medicines,Viral infections, such as glandular fever and herpes, dental and sinus infections, fungal infections, blood transfusions and vaccines.

The cause of chronic urticaria is often more difficult to identify. Most cases are called chronic idiopathic urticaria, which means they're caused by the body's unexplainable development of antibodies to itself (auto-antibodies). Keep on taking the antihistaminics as sometimes they have to be taken even for 6 weeks. You can use Benadryl at night as it causes drowsiness and other non sedating antihistaminics like Claritin and Zyrtec . Short courses of oral cortisone or steroids are taken for short periods (one to three days) to settle more severe symptoms.
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 you can consult an immunologist. He may start with immunosuppressive drugs.

I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing. Kind regards.


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