Hives at night: Alpha-gal syndrome?

Posted by ryniceal @ryniceal, Dec 27, 2018

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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@trailwalker

I have chrons disease and started getting hives at night. Zytec helps for 2 days but makes me extremely nauseous, also have creams too, no help. I am 67 and never had a rash in my life till chrons. Doctors wont even do blood work. See an allergist in 6 weeks. I know its not food or meds. Kept a month long diary.

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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.

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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?

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@msou

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.

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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.

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@sunshine24

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?

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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.

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Have you had your thyroid checked? Often there is a connection

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@axtc

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.

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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.

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