Itchy skin w/welts

Drs,

I have been having this itching problem for about 6 months.  My skin will itch in different areas at different times.  Anytime my skin is scratched, i.e. with finger nails or rubbed against desk on accident, I will get a red mark that will lead to what looks like hives yet not as large more like small welts.  I currently take zurtec for my regular enviromental allergies, this keeps some of the severity of the itching down.  The welts will spread over any area that is scratched.  I currently do not have health insurance so I am trying to figure out what I can do OTC.

I have changed laudry detergents, soaps, clothing materials, used different lotions, etc.  anything you can recommend would be great

[Dr J Singh]

Hello,
The symptoms are suggestive of chronic hives. 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).
Chronic urticaria is often accompanied by coexistent physical urticaria, triggered by environmental exposure to heat, cold, sunlight, vibration, pressure on the skin or even exercise.

My sincere advice is to consult a dermatologist. You may need a course of antihistaminics and steroids.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.