uncontolable itching on limbs

[peellterra22]

I am a 26 year old female, in good health with no allergies to medications and I am in good health except for my suceptability to bladder infections. For a the past year about every month or so I will break out in a rash that looks like little pimples that get larger and larger until they look like hives. I have been to a Nurse practicioner who told me it was a allergic reaction. It never made sense to me but I heeded her advice and used the anti-itch cream and took benedryl, but it really just made it so I could sleep. The rash sometimes will be on one hand, but not the other and sometimes it will be on my feet and it gets so inflamed that it hurts to walk or move my hands. I could handle it before but it seems to be getting worse and worse. I am now getting it on my arms and around my ears. The are where the itching is located gets so hot that it feels as if it has a fever. I have numerous times tried many different types of allergy medication and benedryl creams and lotions, but they don't even seem to be allieviating any of the symptoms now. I am just wondering if it is something that I should see a dermatologist for, since I don't have insurance I want to make sure that it is and because there is no way for me to know when the rash will appear.

[peellterra22]

Would a dermatologist still be able to determine if it is hives if I am not currently having the outbreak? Also thank you very much for the information.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it indeed sounds like hives. Hives have a tendency to change size rapidly and to move around, disappearing in one place and reappearing in other places, often in a matter of hours.

Many cases of hives are "idiopathic," meaning no cause is known. Others may be triggered by viral infections or medications. The treatment of hives consists of antihistaminics, calamine lotion and steroids. So please get the diagnosis confirmed from a dermatologist. Sometimes the treatment of hives may have to be taken for 6 weeks also. If they continue after that then they are termed chronic hives.

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.

[Smilerdeb]

See an Allergist as each outbreak of hives will be worst than the last.
I found the best treatment for hives is Prednisolone (steroids).
The antihistamine did nothing, only relieve the itching.
This was the only medication that made mine go after anaphalactic shock from hives.
I got the tingling and burning too and within 2 days my welts were size of a dinner plate.
I still dont know for sure what caused the allergy but now carry an Epi-Pen because of the severe reaction.