Hives driving me crazy

Hi there. I am 36 years old and in May 2012 I started getting hives on a daily basis. I have been off and on steroids since then and have gained over 10 lbs from it. Originally I was getting the hives on my head under my hair, around my hairline and on my face - even near my eyes and on my ears. I havent taken steroids in over a month now but am still getting hives - now usually on my legs, under arms, under breasts. They seem to happen when I sweat. when I am cool and relaxed I dont get them. when I am doing soemthing and I am sweating - I get them. I have done everything the drs have said - dye free detergent, no fabric softener/dryer sheets, sensitive soap. I stopped many things I thought could be the culprit and it wasnt - face makeup, advil, diet soda, etc. Ive seen an allergist and was tested for the basic stuff and was fine. also seen a dermatologist. Im on antihistamines but I dont take them unless going to bed. I have a 4 yr old and a 9 month old and cannot be drowsy around them! I have had alot of stress in my life lately and I am also at my heavist weight. I used to be thin before kids and now Im over 200 lbs. Not sure if being overweight can cause hives? I am convinced Im allergic to my own sweat but the drs say no. My husband is convinced its the diet soda. I stoppped drinking it for a few weeks but was still getting hives though? anyway any advice or tips from others who have gone through this would be appreciated! thanks!!!!

To find my allergy triggers I kept a good journal, on the advice of my allergist.  I knew my internal trigger was foods, although some detergents were a problem for my skin.  I wrote down in a medium size notebook the date, time, what I ate and drank and medicines.  Then I wrote down reactions.  My internal reactions were usually within a couple of hours, although one time I had a reaction to an albuteral inhaler 6 hours after one puff.

Alavert (loratidine) might help you without making you drowsy.  It comes in generic too.

Housemouse has a good website for skin allergies.  http://www.housemouse.com/sulfites.htm    I'm not sure about her vitamin B12 update.  It's never helped me.  But run down the page to her story.  It might give you some ideas on how to discover your skin irritants.  Interestingly, her allergy trigger is the same as my intolerance trigger.  I don't claim to have a "true" allergy, just "intolerance" since I don't get hives or trouble breathing.  I get life-threatening tachycardia.

I completely agree with couch, it sounds more like a sweat rash.. so here are some things that worked for me:
1- Monkey butt powder. It is a great powder that helps dry out the rash in these areas. I NEVER use lotions or creams, that just holds in moisture and makes it worse. UNLESS, it is monkey butt diaper rash cream...that stuff is amazing!
2- This is probably the oddest thing you will ever hear, but WORKS, i swear...take a tube sock (you know, the men's knee high type), and place it under your breasts, and if you have a tummy overlap put one there too. It keeps the skin from making contact and you won't build up sweat and break out.
3- When you get out of shower, PAT your skin, do not rub it..and then blow dry under your arms, your breasts, and belly. This will help tremendously.

Some people swear by aveeno type products, but I have a gluten intolerance and can't use any oatmeal based products.
I have horrible skin issues and do all of this with almost no problems..good luck!

I get hives as well. I also got hives really bad for like 7 months, and my family doctor didn't know what to say. I hadn't changed my eating habits, detergent or anything else i was allergic too. I'm alergic to A LOT of things by the way. So my doctor finally said to go see a dematologist, i had hives in my ears, my scalp, and places I didn't think were possibleTreat dysfunction

Post Edited (denisA) : 10/12/2012 2:12:53 PM (GMT-6)