Hives?

About 4 days ago I began noticing what looked like flea bites on my forearms but gradually spread to cover the entire forearm (both sides).  I thought it must be hives even though I have not had them before.  They are about the size of a pin head or slightly larger, red and very very itchy.  I feel well otherwise.  I now have them on my legs (both sides) and a few scattered on my torso.  I had one on my lip that was not itchy and resolved in a couple of days.

I'm reading that the individual welts are not supposed to last longer than 24 hours.  I have been tracking a few of them and they are lasting more than 48 hours.  They no longer itch after 24 hours and they are no longer red and swollen.  Just pinkish tiny bumps.  New hives continue to crop up.  I get some relief from Claritin and tepid baths.  

Can this still be "true" hives with the individual hives not entirely disappearing in a day?  I have chronic inactive Hep B that is monitored.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It could be eczema, sweat dermatitis, allergic reactions or insect bites.

You need to wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites.

Apply calamine lotion at the site of the lesions and see if it helps. You could take some oral antihistamine medications like cetrizine or loratadine. You need to maintain a good personal hygiene .

Anti-itch drugs, often antihistamine, may reduce the itch during a flare up of eczema, and the reduced scratching in turn reduces damage and irritation to the skin.

For mild-moderate eczema a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone or desonide), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide).

Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Moisturizing is one of the most important self-care treatments for sufferers of eczema. Keeping the affected area moistened can promote skin healing and relief of symptoms.

Let us know if you need any further information.

It would be advisable to consult a skin specialist for your symptoms and a proper clinical examination to rule out scabies or any other cause.

Let us know if you need any other information and post us on how you are doing.

Regards.