A ? about hives

[Cool-Beans]

Normal people *usually* get hives as a reaction to new soap, detergent, perfume, food...something new. A little time and a little anti-histamine and they go away.

Nobody will believe this, but I get hives from water. Little ones. Even the allergist didn't believe me and had to have it proved. My mom made me show my aunt once when she visited from out of town. Had to put on my bathing suit and stand in the shower. GRRRRR.

Every day when I shower or swim (soap or no soap, hair in a cap or not), I get little hives on my upper chest. Used to get them on my neck, too.

Started when I was 11...I'm now 36 and wondering when they'll stop. Doesn't bother me anymore.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

Do hives normally stay for days? Mine don't. I get them for a few hours, the Benadryl helps to make them go away. I think I'm allergic to coconut but not sure since insurance won't pay for a food allergy test.

 

[cyndibelle]

my daughter has been breaking out in them daily for the past few days...not till the evening though....the only thing i can think is that it is from one of the meds she was on while in the hospital or she caught a virus of some sort... my friends little boy broke out in them the other day also..she took him to the doc and he said they had seen 6 other cases in the past week and no one can figure it out..

 

[RadioNate]

Do hives normally stay for days? Mine don't. I get them for a few hours, the Benadryl helps to make them go away. I think I'm allergic to coconut but not sure since insurance won't pay for a food allergy test.

Normal hives only stay as long as the offending item is in your body and you aren't being reexposed. Benadryl helps stop the histamine reaction and they go away.

Hives can also be systemic or autoimmune. Mine can last for months even while on heavy duty antihistamines.

If they last longer than several days and aren't responding to over the counter antihistamines then it is time to see a dr for something to stop them (like a short course of steroids).

 

[ILUVMYBRIT]

RadioNate thanks for pointing out the autoimmune link. I already have two autoimmune diseases...I think you are more likely to get them when you have one. I have psoriasis and RA. I really don't know if I could handle another. Hopefully they will just go away and I wont have to worry. If they are still here on Monday I will call my doc