Is it hives?

For the past two months I have been breaking out.  They look like welts that are extremely itchy.  I seem to notice them when I wake up.  I bought a car about two months ago and I thought maybe I was allergic to something in the car.  I went to the doctor and they told me they are hives.  About a few weeks ago my boyfriend started getting them too, so he went to the doctors and they told him hives too. But then they wernt goin away so he went to the dermatologist and she said fleas.  I dont have any aniimals and never saw any fleas in my apartment.  But my boyfriend has a cat, but hes never seen any fleas and his cat isnt itchy.  So I bombed my place anywyas and my car too but I am still itchy.  I'm wondering if maybe its my dryer sheets.  But I cant figure out if it is something I am allergic to or if these are bug bites.  Anyone have any insite? Thank!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Since your boyfriend also has these itchy skin rashes,so it is advisable to get scabies ruled out. It is an infestation of the skin with the Sarcoptes scabiei mite and is highly contagious. It is characterized by intense itching, usually at night and by small insect-type bites lesions on the skin. Diagnosis of scabies is made by scraping the skin and viewing the material under a microscope to see the characteristic mite or eggs.

Without examination it is difficult confirming diagnosis,so pls get it evaluated from a dermatologist.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.

[sljohn]

Thanks for your reply.  Ive looked at pictures of scabies and this really doesnt look like it. my itching is worse in the morning and after hot showers or being in the sun.