Hope someone can help

Since July 22 of this year I have been breaking out in what was hives at first on a daily basis.  Usually on my legs, and stomach.  Then recently it has just been red patches that are around my nose and under my arms; with occasional patches on my arms, legs.  I have been to my internist weekly since the last week of July.  She sent me to a dermatologist who I have been seeing for a month now.  No one can figure out what it is.  I have taken everything from Benadryl, Xyzal, Zrytec, Singulair, Claritin, and Hydroxyzine.  Nothing has worked.  They have done blood work for lupus and many other blood tests.  All came back negative.  They have started taking me off one drug at a time, now I am only on Xyzal, Singulair and 2 Hydroxyzine HCL 25 daily.  Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do or suggest what my doctor may need to test for.  The only known allergy I have is fish.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Since you are getting these hives since july, so the possibility of chronic urticaria is high in your case. It is defined as urticaria that persists for longer than 6 weeks. In most of the cases of chronic urticaria, the underlying pathology is idiopathic i.e. it is not linked to any cause. It is essential to rule out the presence of serious illnesses of which recurring hives can be a symptom. Examples are hepatitis, hyperthyroidism, lymphomas, collagen vascular diseases, and cancers of the rectum, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. I feel that you should find out the cause of your chronic urticaria by ruling out the various conditions causing it.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.