Connect
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.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Skin Health Support Group.
Connect
Hi @ryniceal. I'm glad I bumped into this forum. this forum was back in Dec 2018. Everything you described in your post is exactly what I am experiencing right now. I am having hives for about 7 weeks now that only attacks at night then gone when I wake up in the morning.
So that's why I can still go to work & do my normal thing everyday. But at night itching starts at 9 til midnight. I have been to 2 dermatologist both of them said it could be post Covid effect. I had Covid last week of March. Both of them gave me prescription of antihistamine. I tried Benadryl, Claritin, Allegra & now Zyrtex. Been taking Zyrtex for 4 weeks now. After the 2 dermatologist I also seen my primary doctor. I Had blood work at my primary doctor office & the result came good.
It's been 7 weeks I am now feeling scared that this could be more serious issue. I am going to call my dermatologist & will request for skin test or blood work so to find out what could be the reason behind my hives attack at night?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@sunshine24 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! We are not medical professionals, but we do share our experiences and stories to support others along their journeys.
A few things I have tried when my skin itches like that: Is your skin dry and needs a lotion? Or a new lotion? Have you looked at your detergent used for laundry, or the fabric makeup of the sheets on your bed? It it too warm in your bedroom, or under the covers? It might be something as simple as tweaking one of these variables.
Please let me know if any of this rings a bell to you?
Ginger
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have had intense Itchy skin for several years...I take Beta Alanine when I feel an itch coming on or when I know the trigger...IT KILLS THE ITCH...recently two Stanford dermatologist wrote a paper on it...they used it with a cancer patient with water contact itch...I take 750 mg every 4 hours...it is an OTC pre workout supplement.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI have the exact same thing! I take Benedetto every night. This has gone on for almost a year.
I have been itching at night, too, but with no visible rashand no one can figure out why. I do have psoriasis, however, although this itching is in addition to my psoriasis which is mostly on my scalp.
Is there a Connect thread on psoriasis?
@rashida
Here is a link to an article from Mayo Clinic on psoriasis that you may find helpful:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355840
If you go to the Skin Health group header. it will give you a choice to do a search, and you can put in "psoriasis" [without the quote marks], click on the magnifying glass, and see where people have used that word in replies within the group. This may lead you to some interesting conversations you might otherwise overlook.
Sometimes itching can be caused by dry skin rubbing against your bedcovers, or the bedcovers themselves [detergent from washing still left in them, or the material makeup not friendly with your skin]. Sometimes room temperature, or the warmth of bedcovers creates irritation.
Ginger
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHi there @rashida, it is nice to see you back on Connect, but not with
"the itch". You will be able to find more information and the introduction of a new product called Dermeleve. It is not a cure-all but can take away the annoying itch and give you a break. If you would like to read about it online just go to http://www.dermeleve.com. My dermatologist brought it back for me to try. She found it at a dermatology conference. It works quickly.....within 15 minutes and gives you relief for about 6 hours.
It is an OTC product that you can purchase right online. For me, I truly don't leave home without it. I also take it to my MFR, "Myofascial Release Therapy" so that the therapists can use it without worrying about some kind of allergen giving me a bad time.
May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@gingerw - thank you! I use fragrance free detergent, fabric softener and toiletries but I am very sensitive to temperatures and fabrics too - especially clothing with labels which I have to cut off always and tend to wear only cotton clothing. Bed linen also has to be just cotton. I even react to pet hair as well as my own hair. If one solitary hair finds its way inside my clothing and touches my skin I start itching and scratching, and this doesn’t stop till I find the offending hair(s)! Even seams and lace can irritate my skin so when I buy a shirt or underwear I have to check for raised seams too!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@artscaping - thank you, Chris! I definitely look for it. I live in Toronto so hopefully can find this Dermaleve! Between my psoriasis and this general skin sensitivity I often become a mess! lol!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi, @ryniceal, Your post was in Dec ’18. Don’t know if the skin rash issue has resolved yet. If the characteristic of the skin allergy is that it always happens a few hours after a meal, say, dinner, it could be the “alpha-gal syndrome” posted on the Mayo Clinic website. The syndrome was discovered just in the recent years. You may go and find out more.