I Have been getting hives for 4 years is there any known cause for this?

[sweettynonnie]

Is there any known cause for me getting the hives? Other than an an allergic reaction to foods or medicine.   My hives come for all sorts of reasons if I take any medication like excederin, motrin, aspirin etc. I break out and my mouth, lips and nose all swell up. Other times I get them if I have elastic from my clothing in contact with my skin for long periods of time.  Or I can get them if I get overheated which is always since I get hot flashes.  Sometimes I can go months with just mild out breaks and all I have to do is take a couple of benadryl. I have also tried lacitrex which works a little but nothing really works when I have real bad episodes. It is to the point that I had to get FMLA so that I could be excused from work.  Is there anyone who has this problem and found a way to get rid of their hives?  I have been to allergist and doctors and no one can explain to me what is going on.  Sometimes I feel that maybe I have some unknown disease that hasn't surfaced yet I go to the doctors and get blood test every couple of months just in case there is something wrong that didn't show up the last time. Any info would be appreciated.  

[artyamo]

Don't take anything related to aspirin or ibuprofin!!!  They will all trigger a hive outbreak. I've had them for a year now, and the allergist told me to stay away from anything aspirin /ibuprofin related, even Pepto because it has the same chemical make up as aspirin. Mine all started w/ an allergic reaction to an antibiotic, and they are pretty calm until i have to take ibuprofin for a headache that tylenol won't help. I just recently took Excedrin for a headache thinking for some reason there was no aspirin in it and I have a terrible outbreak on my hands. I know they'll go away after a while, i have zyrtec that makes them managable.

[kornguy]

I only get hives when i take penisilin i am alergic to it

[dolvid]

I myself have been getting hives off and on for @ 5 years or so. I haven't seen a Dr. for it, because I am not going through all the allergy tests. I think mine is mostly related to stress. The more anxious or stressed, the hives return.If I scratch my skin on anything, it starts to itch, and HELLO hive. If I pick a zit, guess what shows up....yep a hive. Its like I'm allergic to myself. I don't know how to fix it, I usually have Benedryl or Claritin on hand.