Everyday for a YEAR

[Basinski]

I have had hives in some form everyday since  May 2007.  Some times they are little red dots sometimes the whitish welts.  In some capacity I have had them everyday, somewhere. Mainly on my forearms and all over legs but I also do get them on my face, stomach, and back.  Extremely itchy.  I have been to a dermatologist, allergist and several doctors. All told me that it is impossible to diagnose. I have tryed every medicine available ( Singular, Zrtec, the one that starts with a D, Clairatin, you name it) The only thing that worked with me was Benadryl but is slowly starting to not work.  I have had skin tests and blood tests as well. And obviously the very fews times I have not had this, was seeing the doctors. So i have brought photos, which are hard to see.
Lastest doctor have me Predosine, which was supposed to work, and not only does it not, but my rash is more of a rash then hives now. It now covers my forearms with tiny tiny red bumps which are just as itchy.
It is more than an issue of being uncomfortable every day for a year, I am always tired b/c of meds, I don't go out because I have these rash very visible, and I wind up scratching so much that I get scratches and cuts that then hurt.  I am 27, and miserable. Please, Please HELP

[Basinski]

Thank you for getting back to me, for that I am very frustrated, and it is very hard to read and hear that its so hard to diagnose if you have no infection or obvious trigger. We are all stunned that the steroids are not working.
As far as shots... do they have to be done by an allergist? Or can a general practitioner administer them? My insurance does not cover specialists until we meet our very high deductible...just wondering.
No one knows why chronic can just suddenly come on or just suddenly disappear?

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
Hives usually appear suddenly and go away on their own in a matter of days, hours, or even minutes. Chronic hives, however, can last for six weeks or more. Certain people have recurring outbreaks of hives for months or even years, and it's sometimes difficult to pinpoint the exact cause.
Hives are often caused by a hypersensitivity to:
•Foods (commonly eggs, shellfish, nuts, berries, dyes, or other additives)
•Drugs (any drug can touch off an allergic reaction, although allergies to penicillin, sulfa, and aspirin are especially common)
•Pollens and plants (nettles, poison ivy, poison oak, and so on)
•Animal fur
•Insect bites or stings
•Exposure to heat, cold, or sunshine.
In your case it could be due to heat/sunlight or even due to your sweat which is seen in extreme cases.Other potential triggers include physical exertion or exercise, stress, illness, chemicals, cosmetics, textiles, and pressure from materials rubbing against the skin.
For people with chronic hives, the simpler treatments may not keep outbreaks under control. Typically, chronic hives go away on their own, whether you treat them or not. About half of all chronic cases clear up within a year, though some cases can take as long as five years. A very small percentage of people are plagued by hives for even longer.
You can consider allergy shots if your symptoms don't seem to respond well to medication or if you have year-round allergies and prefer not to be on medication all the time. Medications can control symptoms, but allergy shots -- if they work in your case -- are a more lasting solution.
Allergy shots have a high success rate -- as high as 70 to 90 percent. The downside is that immunotherapy requires a substantial time commitment. During the initial series of shots, your doctor will need to see you every week or two for three to six months.
The AAAAI offers a specialty search service available under the "Find an Allergist" tab on its Web site (http://www.aaaai.org).
ref:http://www.myonlinewellness.com/topic/allergy