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About 10 days ago I began to feel itchy and the next day I woke up with hives on my legs and arms and a little on my hip area which got progressively worse. I went to the doctor they gave me methylprednisolone and told me to take 1 Allegra a day. I did that and at first nothing got better but finally after about 5 days the hives began to fade and clear up. Then at about day 7 I got a new batch of them that today are worse than the first round. My chest, and arms are covered as well as some nasty ones on my back. I went back to the doctor this time they gave me a steroid shot and again it did nothing. They seem to be getting worse. I’m trying to track possible triggers and I eliminated my detergent for a hypoallergenic one. I’m supposed to get a call for a follow up with an allergist but I’m incredibly uncomfortable and also very nervous since I can’t seem to nail down the cause. They are worse at night with extreme itching. Benadryl doesn’t help. The Allegra lessens the itching but doesn’t cause the hives to dissapait at all
Replies to "About 10 days ago I began to feel itchy and the next day I woke up..."
You need a good internist.
I have had Urticaria since 2011, I saw numerous doctors, dematologists and was on a regiment of many different drugs, allergy meds, prednizone that didn't seem to help. I finally went to an allergist and they gave me cyclosporine, along with singular and zyrtek. This helped tremedously but the draw back with cyclosporine is it lowers your immune system. This was not an issue for me fortuenately, I was on the drug for about 6 months. I attributed my hives to stress to begin with but I still have break outs if I go off the Zyrtek. I have seasonal allergies so that may be part of my issue. Im currently taking 20mg of Singular and 20mg of Zyrtek. My hives looked just like your picture, I could also feel them in my chest, which would tighten up. Hope this helps you.
I have had chronic hives for nearly 2 years now. Prior to this I was perfectly healthy, and never have been allergic to anything! It came out of nowhere. I have done every elimination diet, removed all perfumes and dyes from my life, tried every antihistamine (massive doses) and even the H2s (pepcid, tagamet etc) Nothing touches them except the prednisone which is only a band aid that makes you gain weight over time. Plus it's bad for your liver etc. I did find (by accident) that Ibuprofen reduced my symptoms (but for many with hives this will make them worse, so be careful) I have been to 6 different doctors (dermatologists, allergists, even Eastern medicine.) I went to the Mayo clinic as they are supposed to be the best! They pretty much told me "you have chronic hives and we don't know why" (No kidding?!) I spent thousands of dollars trying to find things that help. So far nothing. My last resort will be Xolair which I have started the process and should start within the next week or so. I hope you find relief soon.
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Hello @bshortle, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm sorry you haven't been able to get a diagnosis for the cause of you hives and find something that works for you. While we wait for other members to share what helps them I found some information on Medical News Today that also lists some home remedies to help the symptoms: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320268
Did your doctor suggest a followup appointment with an allergist? Since it might be related to an underlying health condition it would be a good idea to contact the doctor again and ask for some recommendations on a specialist that could help you.