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Hives at night: Alpha-gal syndrome?
For the past five nights, including tonight, I have been experiencing a reaction of some sort. I assume that they are hives. The weird thing is that it only happens, well 95% of the time, the breakout starts in the evening. I know it's not from a bite or something because they are in different spots each night... I have had an allergy test ..that was done a few years back and it came back negative. Not allergic to anything. I know that can change, but I just find it odd that this only happens at night. During the day, I am fine... just anxious know what's to come after sundown. Another thing I noticed is that they are usually in straight lines.. not always, sometimes they are blotchy but a lot of the time they are in lines. I have taken benadryl every night for the past few nights... didn't work. Tonight I got a little bit of relief but I can already feel my body getting itchy. Hydrocortisone creams do nothing. I think I just apply them for piece of mind. I called my primary's after hours answering service and spoke with my doc. I have an appt with her in the morning and she is going to do bloodwork and give me steroid shots, but I just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced anything like this before or know someone who has.
They usually last for the night. When I can finally get myself to sleep at night.. in the morning i am fine. They dont leave any markings or anything. They are just red and raised and extremely itchy.
Any input will help. Thanks in advance.
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Hi @trailwalker, You may like to check out a Shared Files link named “Hive & Alpha-Gal” that’s posted in my Reply to @colleenyoung on 6/12/22 4:10pm.
I am experiencing the exact same thing, except mine do break skin when I scratch. But the hives that don't break, like you are completely gone in morning. This is consuming me, every afternoon into late evening. I've tried everything. Only appears on legs, arms, hands, face and ears. I too have allergy tested. Any relief or known cause?
I use 1% Hydrocortisone cream or an antihistamine pill, does the trick.
If I go to sleep early (9-9:30) it doesn’t bother me. If I stay up then try to fall asleep (12-2am) I itch.
I’m 65, a redhead, no hormone replacement by choice, itching started around 63. Itching and skin changes are the side affect. I sweat at night some. This will cause itching also.
It’s tricky, you just become more sensitive after the change of life. Work with your Dermatologist and read about symptoms.
Hey. Your story is exactly like mine. I was told my chronic hives were a result of getting covid back in 2021. I’ve seen allergists, dermatologists, naturopaths, etc., all who never really have answers on why it only ever really acts up at night. I have to take antihistamines everyday to prevent the flare ups/resolve them whenever I wake up in the middle of the night. It’s been a couple of years since your post - have you ever figured out what the cause of it was? I know I don’t have Alpha-gal syndrome - I’ve been vegetarian for the past decade now.
Have you had your thyroid checked? Often there is a connection
Hives could be a sign of delayed allergic reaction, caused by Alpha Gal. Alpha Gal also called AG for short and is from a tick bite from an infected Lonestar Tick. It takes 4-6 months for AG to develop from the tick bite it's not instantaneous. When you eat mammalian meat you will have a delayed allergic reaction between 2-6 hours later. Hives are an allergy from something and because AG is delayed it' often overlooked and diagnosed incorrectly. You can can have a simple blood test to rule it out but you should absolutely demand it be done, before subjecting yourself to a litany of useless tests. AG is easy to remedy you simply stop eating mammalian meat, it's not that horrible and you will feel amazing again.
Get tested via bloodwork for lupus
This is my exact experience to the detail! Lupus affects skin and there is one type that seems to really show as skin issues. I know this is years late. I just learned about it and was diagnosed. At night the monster comes out! I justgot 4 prescriptions to deal with the hives and itch and the rows of raised skin on arms. Like farmer fields before planting. I hope you long ago got this fixsd.
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2 ReactionsI’m going to include some info on chronic spontaneous urticaria. If hives (urticaria) last longer than 6 weeks with no source found, they’re considered chronic. They are sometimes, but not always, associated with other conditions like lupus and thyroid disease and tests are done to rule those out. Many have no other conditions associated.
The nocturnal timing is linked to the autoimmune form which is a less common variation.
Here’s a resource with good general information. It includes a link to the current guidelines which are very helpful. Scroll to section 5.4 for the treatment guidelines.
https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/chronic-urticaria/
The late Dr Marcus Mauer has some excellent YouTube videos and a webinar on “What I wish my patients knew.” I think it’s a 2023 or 2024 date.
Sudiba, I wish you the best of luck. It’s a miserable condition.
My dr told me lupus hives require stronger than otc drugs but he gave me four that make sense. There are tons of articles about this on utube. Thanks everyone. PS--
Day one:I took just 3/6 prednisones so far . Use it weaning down for 7 days with 6 first day ,5 day, 4 day, 3 day, etc
one down to one on last day. Already the itch is.much better. Once at night i take hydrochloroquine . Every person needs to,get overseen by yheir maindr. I am sharing the two big guns I was prescribed. Itch as this or chronic hives is too overwhelming to use home methods.( my opinion and the drs also. )Spoiler: Drs are used as l ittle as possible by me. But old age requires a bit of surrender to the system.
typos!! sorry!