Breaking out in hives suddenly

Hello everyone,

I'm a 29 year old male and I'm hoping someone might be able to help me out, or have gone through the same as me and has found a way to treat it. Yesterday morning I woke up to a bad itch on my wrist. It was very long before the it swelled up a bit and almost looked like a bug bite that kind of spread out to about the size of a 50 cent piece or maybe a little bigger. Probably 20 minutes later the backs of my legs started itching and soon basically both of my legs were covered in millions of bug bites, they didn't really turn red but it swelled up the same as my wrist.

I do know that while I was sleeping I did get pretty hot and sweat a lot, but I usually do stay pretty warm while I sleep. Other than that I used a shampooer on my carpet in my apartment. My diet is the same, I haven't taken any kinds of medications at all, and I'm basically healthy as a horse other than this.

Has anyone else ever heard of or have gone through this same thing? I'm getting pretty worried about it because its happened two mornings in a row (actually the reason I came to these boards is because it started again this morning) Could sweating while I sleep cause it? My skin is usually pretty dry as well, which I think has to do with the water here in this city. Pretty much I'm lost. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I do have a little update, its a change not sure if its a good thing or bad thing, but the hives seem to be going away. I do still have some but not anywhere near what I did have. Its now mostly on my hands and its more of a burning itch now than having all the bug bite type hives I did have.

This leads me to believe it had more to do with the shampoo. I've washed my hands a few times but haven't taken a shower yet because I read it could make the hives worse, but I'm thinking I might just take one and find out. If it flares them back up I'll know it wasn't the shampoo and if not then I think I will have discovered the problem. I'm also going to use some lotion and see if that makes the itching go away, if I scratch now I can actually see some of the dry skin fall off like dandruff so hopefully that will help out as well. I'm about to lose my mind right now with this itch but I haven't scratched it yet though I'm sure I look like a nut case right now shaking my legs to try to keep myself from scratching.

Natarius,
Hives are something that can make you bonkers, especially if the cause can't be identified. Razzle's benadryl is a great thing to have on hand all the time (generic drug store brands are fine as well.) It can make you a bit sleepy so be careful when you need to drive. Lubriderm is a great cream that seems to work well on allergic dry skin without making it worse. Try a small amount on the inside of your wrist before rubbing it all over. Products that contain oatmeal are also good for itching. Hope you're doing better soon.