Itchy bumps or hives?

[Gingerale2008]

For the past couple of weeks every once in a while i get this rashes on my forearms, armpits, side of my waist and stomach. They are very itchy and seems to spread when I scratch them. I take benadryl and it goes away but it comes back whenever it chooses. I honestly don't know what it could be from....i'm going to the doctor jan 4th but I would like an answer now anyone have any suggestions on what it is?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
You label hives or urticaria as chronic when it persists for longer than 6 weeks. In most of the cases of chronic urticaria, the underlying pathology is idiopathic i.e it is not linked to any cause. It is essential to rule out the presence of serious illnesses of which recurring hives can be a symptom. Examples are hepatitis, hyperthyroidism, lymphomas, collagen vascular diseases, and cancers of the rectum, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.

Since you had the symptoms after intake of alcohol and marijuana, so the possibility of acute urticaria is there. It is usually not the alcohol that produces the allergic reaction to the wine or beer. The other ingredients in the alcohol, such as yeast, sulfur dioxide, and additives are often the culprits.
Please consult an allergist/ dermatologist and get evaluated for urticaria. I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[Gingerale2008]

I was also looking around the internet and i read about somtehing called Chronic Urticaria and some of the pictures look similiar to the hives i am getting. do you think it is Chronic Urticaria?

[Gingerale2008]

I went to the doctor today and he said he thought it was hives 90% he said 10% could be an infection of some sort. I hung out with my buddies and smoked a little marijuana earlier in the night around 8 o clock and around 1 am I felt my body itching. And also nights after drinking recently..the next day i have been getting hives. Do you think it is in my mind that the hives keep coming back or is it because of the alcohol and marijuana? I have both smoked and drank occasionally for years and never had any of these problems since this November. What is your diagnosis?

[Gingerale2008]

I was wondering if smoking cigarettes can be the cause of this?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Since the itchy rashes are responding to antihistaminics, it can be due to allergic contact dermatitis, eczema or hives. Treatment options include oral antihistaminics like Benadryl and Claritin or non sedating antihistaminics like zyrtec, topical steroids for skin rashes and itching and oral steroids in more severe cases. I would suggest you to consult a dermatologist as sometimes the treatment may be required for 6 weeks also.

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 dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[keating]

have you recently had unprotected sex?