hives that will not go away

[ttocs]

About two weeks ago I developed itching at the base of my buttox. once itched, I developed several small hives at the location. From that point forward, I have continued to develop itcking then localized 1-2 hives in various locations all over - butt, thighs, arms, chest and some on my face. They stay for a day or two the fade but new ones continue to develop in various locations and are VERY itchy. I have two on my arms that developed bruises around them also.  This has persisted despite otc Benadryl tablets, 1 % hydro ung applied to hives for over two weeks. Now my wife has also started to develop the same thing. The thought of scabies has crossed my mind. I do have a mild sore throat. Any thoughts??

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

From your description, you may indeed have hives.  Hives can last for weeks or months.  Treating them with antihistamines, as you are doing, plus over-the-counter itch preparations like Sarna is a reasonable approach.  The bruises are no doubt from scratching, and hives really itch.

Hives are not contagious.  I don't know what your wife has.  Your description sounds nothing like scabies.

If your symptoms and those of your wife persist, you should show them to a doctor in person.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[hunkyg]

hi about six years ago i came out in a lumpy rash like and very itchy indeed i sufferd nearly a year with this as a result i stopped my metformin that i was taking for diebetes it just tied in wen i got this lumpy rash then all off a sudden it went after a couple of weeks i got a appointment through to see a skin spesialist but he had nothing to go on i did suffer three anephaletic shocks while in out off hospital to calm this rash a month ago its come back yet again been taking prignisolone steroids 6 at a time to calm this down and a antihistomin called laratadin but to no avail now after coming out off hospital after my diebetes went sky high im on new tablets im now taking telfast every morning piriton 4mg at night and a new tablet called cimetidine 200mg twice a day and its keeping my lumps from itching to a mild itch and the rash to minor rash but still cant get rid off it wat can u surgest as im see my doctor but wont put me in to see a skin dr why is this dr thinks these tablets will work ?????? please email me asp thank you urs truly hunkyg

[LindaS]

I am going on my 4 -5 week of itchy bumps.  I am loaded with antihistamines to know avail.  Mine are very much like the first writer.  Did you ever find anyuthing to take away itch? I am waiting for biopsy report.

[NAMD]

i wrote to this forum . look for itchy welts from dodgegrl. i have the same thing i have had this for over a year.  Nothing helps.  I have seen 2 dermotologists , 2 allergist, and my general doctor more than once. They want to give steroids or creme, take anithistimines. I give up maybe someday it'll go away.

[my2cents]

Alternative/Natural Treatment for hives:
Over the years I have gotten hives, usually during very stressful times in my life. Once I got them after a prescription and they would not go away. The severity of the hives fluctuated for over 5 weeks until I went to the health food store. They suggested that I take milk thistle to help rejevenate and detox my liver. (By the way I am not a drinker or a drug user.) And it worked! The theory is that when the liver gets over stressed by toxins, life stresses, etc. it can not work to its best ability to help detoxify the body. That leaves the toxins to exit through another channel, one exit being your skin. I found that milk thistle also works for my excema (I also get excema with higher stress levels). When I see that my excema is coming back I take milk thistle until it clears up. It usually doesn't take very long for me.

I hope that this information helps someone. I recomend dropping by your local health food store and asking them some questions to see if this would be an appropriate treatment for you.

[itchy itchy]

I have had chronic hives for 7 years. I have tried allergists, naturopaths, acupuncture, elimination diets, all kinds of things to reduce my symptoms, pretty much to no avail.  Without medication, I have hives 24/7.  The only thing that I have found to help naturally reduce the intensity and frequency of the hives is vigorous cardio exercise.  This will cause me to break out in hives and then I'll be okay for 6 - 12 hours, then the hives will come back.  When that happens I take Zyrtec.

I think the hives started as a result of a stressful period in my life. However, I haven't been stressed for the full 7 years, just occasionally.  It's like my body is stuck in some loop.

Think I'll try that milk thistle...