Hives on my thighs, is it from scented pads?

[TifferzC]

So, a couple days ago, I bought pads in a rush, not noticing they were scented. I put one on in the afternoon, and in the evening I noticed my thighs were speckled with hives. I had a few on my arms, and couple on my collarbone. I should add I think they started at work a few hours after I wore the pad, because I was sitting and noticed my ankles were incredibly itchy and had raised bumped. I haven't had hives since before high school.

Also, I started taking amoxicillin about two weeks ago for an ear infection. I have since finished those pills, but I mention this because when I was a kid, I was told I was allergic to the dye in the liquid amoxicillin (banana medicine). I got hives, apparently, when I took it. Maybe it's actually the amox? But I'm wondering if the allergic reaction could have been dormant until the last couple days of the pills?

What do you all think caused my hives? Currently, I still have them. Mostly just on my thighs.

[TifferzC]

Thank you for your response, doctor. I'm free and clear of the hives now. =)

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it can be hives due to the scented pads because they started appearing the same day you started using these pads. Had it been hives due to the medication, it would have started appearing the same time when you started taking the medicine.

The mainstay of treatment of hives is antihistamine which may be necessary for prolonged periods (in excess of 6 weeks). You can take non-sedating antihistamines such as Cetirizine(Zyrtec) or  Loratadine to get symptom relief. Sedating antihistamines such as Benadryl is used at night to get urticaria control. Short courses of oral cortisone or steroids are taken for short periods (one to three days) to settle more severe symptoms.

You may take Vitamin C along with the prescribed treatment. Vitamin C is a general anti-allergy supplement. It helps stabilize mast cells so they are less likely to release histamine. If the symptoms persist then I suggest you to consult a dermatologist.

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.