New to hives...any help/suggestions?

[ihatehives]

31 years old, never had allergies in my life.  About 4 weeks ago, I get a swollen welt on the arch of my foot...very painful, itchy and hot.  I soaked it in epson salt and took a few benedryl (thought at the time it was a spider bite).  Symptons disappeared within a day and was able to walk.  3 days later, I'm working outside, sweating, drank 2 G2 Gatorades and had a ham sandwich with tomatoes at lunch.  By 3-4 pm, I have raised welts, itchy, near my belt line and outside of thighs.  Within 24 hours, they were gone.  2 days later, I go out to eat and have stuffed shells (spaghetti sauce) for dinner...within an hour or so, the back of my legs near my buttocks is very itchy...scary part is that the welts moved to my scrotum...this prompted my first doctor visit.   Dr. says probably hives and said to treat with claritin and zantac.  Neither did much.  4 days after my first dr visit, I have to go back b/c hives were popping up on my legs, knees, etc.  He finally prescribed a medrol dose pack (steroid).  This gave me temporary relief (Wednesday-Tuesday, about 5-6 days).  On the last day (only 1 pill), that morning at work I drank a cup of coffee with artificial sweetener (pink packets-think it has saccarin in it).  Within an hour or so, I had a raised welt on my elbow about the size of a quarter.  Not even 30 minutes pass, I see what almost appears to be a bug big on the top of my arm near my elbow...by the end of the day, I have 4 welts/hives.  I treated w/ benedryl but to no avail.  I woke up that evening at 3:30 am when it felt as if my arms were burning...lo and behold, the welts/hives have gotten deeper, almost suggesting angiodema.  Very painful! Itchy, burning!  I tried to get through the day but had to return to Dr.  He referred me to a dermatologist.  The derm prescribed hydroxyzine, 25 mg.  That didn't provide much relief.  I eventually had to call the derm at home the next evening and he called in a heavy dose of prednisone (15 days, 3x5 days, 2x5 days, 1x5 days).  I've been on it 6 days so far and yesterday morning, I woke up with a quarter sized hive on my tricep.  As I write this, I have two more there.
I've been trying to figure out what has been causing this.  I've done a lot of research and I hope to have it narrowed down to artificial sweeteners and tomatoes.  All my outbreaks seem to coincide with ingesting foods with those.  I have drank a lot of sweet tea for years, staying away from sodas, love tomatoes...eat wheat bread.  Think you're doing the healthy thing but has it come back to bite me??!  My next step is the allergist but that seems like a waste of time to do all those tests?!  
I don't want to be on prednisone any longer...but have to finish the course.  I currently take a multivitamin, 2-3 zyrtec, 2 prednisone, and 1 zantac in the am with breakfast.  I have read about L-lysine and have taken some with food but not regularly.  I'm about to try drinking Green Tea and see if that helps with the symptoms.  I really feel for those who have suffered w/ hives many of years.  I don't know how you do it!!  I've only had them periodically for 4 weeks and it's about driving me mad!  Any help, suggestions, words of encouragement are welcomed.  Thanks!

[rsox34]

You should immediately go see an allergist to get tested to try and figure out what is causing your reactions.  The allergist should prescribe you an epipen which you will have to carry 24/7.  Meanwhile, I would carry and take Benadryl and Prednsone BEFORE you ingest food items to prevent possible outbreaks.  Grab ice and apply it to your skin when you break out with hives.  Ice will help relieve the inflamation and itching.  Take a cold shower to try and find some relief from the itching/swelling.  Apply Hydrocortisone or Calamine lotion to your skin to help relieve the itch.

I'm Mark--allergic to  Dairy, Peanuts, tree nuts, soy, lima beans, chocolate, egg whites, etc.  I've experienced Hives and Angiodema from my head to the heals of my feet.  

[SassyLassie]

Hello~It definitely sounds like allergic reactions to me. Has your doctor recommended any food allergy tests, this would be a big help. On your own, you can do the "elimination diet" you eliminate the foods that you think are causing the problems for a week or so, if the hives clear up, then you have probably found the answer. Allergies are the pits to pin down, I have food allergies, and they can change according to how much stress I am under.