used a bikini wax and broke out in hives

[thankuu]

yes stupid me decided to do a bikini wax on my own in my inner thigh near my private area and within hours I got a heavy rash that started there and slowly moved to my chest, parts of my back, arms, and thigh area.  Its been going on for 3 days and as of now I'm without health insurance so I cant even go to a doctor to get some antibiotics to heal the infection.  The active ingredient for the wax was lavender and I dont know if the lavender or the open pores after the wax caused the rash.  I need help, what can I do to ease the rash, is there anything I can buy at the drugstore without a prescription?  Anything please to stop this itching and bring the rash to a stop.

[thankuu]

Thank you very much!  I read somewhere that vitamin c helps boost the immune system and have been eating oranges on a daily basis since the rash, I used benadryl for a day and a half and it did make me stop itching momentarily but did not knock off the rash completely, I still itch.  I will try the calamine and dermacort as I did see it at the drugstore but was not sure which to buy, I'll buy both, that was the answer I needed, I really thank you very much for your answer, I will let you know the outcome if it has gotten better or worse.  And once again, thank you.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

You seem to be having hives. Hives (medically known as urticaria) are red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes.

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 or Loratadine(Claritim).Sedating antihistamines such as Benadryl are 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. Also apply calamine lotion and a mild steroid cream like dermacort on the itchy rashes.
If the symptoms persist, then you can consult a dermatologist.Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.