*itchscratch* OUCH! Hives! :(

This is only the second time in my life I've ever gotten hives, and both times it has been due to extreme heat, humidity, and sun exposure. The first time I just got it all over my thighs and thought it was because I hadn't washed a pair of cargo pants before wearing them.

Well, after this incident, I'm rethinking that theory and believe it's from the sun, seeing as I just spent a wonderful week in Florida (Disney World!). I noticed the "rash" early Saturday morning, our last day in FL, and now it's definitely hives and they are spreading from the back of my calves to the front of my legs (even though it's 60 here in Indiana). I'm sooo itchy!!!

Think this is a case to take to a Dr?

To me, it sounds like an allergic reaction to something.... you could take some benedryl (it knocks me out, so you might want to just take it at night) and I had also come across itch relieving spray (I just bought the CVS brand)... I occasionally get hives as a reaction to something - the last time I got them was in college and when I asked the CVS pharmacists (explained what I had taken: a drug that used to be Rx only and is now OTC - no problems with Rx problems with OTC) and the only thing he could figure was I'm allergic to whatever the "glue" is that the companies use to stick those pills together that are 2 different colors (not the capsule kind, the tab kind) cuz the Rx wasn't bi-colored

Personally, as long as like my throat/nose isn't swelling, I just treat it myself... if the hives happen to break open and bleed or ooze, then it's definitely doctor time

You need some Benadryl. I would take at least 3, at night. You can get some nondrowsy to take during the day.

I have had hives before and know that it is not an easy thing to deal with, especially the itching. I hope you feel better soon

Have you tried taking a cool bath and adding cornstarch, oatmeal, or baking soda to help sooth your skin? Supposedly apple cider vinegar can help too.

Does wearing sunscreen help prevent it?

Are you using sun block? If so it might be from the particular kind you used on both occasions.

I actually believe it's the sun exposure that did it, especially since I know for a fact that the last time I used a completely different sun block than I did this time (the sunblock I used recently wasn't even around the last time). Different brand as well.

As for taking benedryl, I take a zyrtec once a day anyway, and I did take a benedryl earlier today. I just don't want to take too much, ya know?

Anyway, I think I'm going to dope myself up before bedtime, lol. I hope this goes away before this weekend...nothing like scratching your legs and arms at the Indy 500 to guarantee some elbow room.

Try the bath -if you can. And really the only other thing you can do is stay out of the sun or else it will get worse...

One reason it might have happened is because Florida sun is stronger then the Indiana exposure your skin is used to.

I know I've broken out in rashes from being overheated before, so it could be along those lines. And I've broken out in hives a few times from different things. Usually something like laundry detergents, some sunscreens and once from an antibiotic.

Benadryl helps the best. Other allergy meds worked better at getting my seasonal allergies, but Benadryl did the most for my hives. But it does knock me out. Even just one tablet. The last time I broke out in hives was from the antibiotic (ironic since it was supposed to be helping treat my acne!) and it was like rolling hives I called them. They'd come up and then go down 20 minutes later to appear in some other patches around my body. I found some calamine lotion helped them. (I got a clear kind)

I would recommend the benedryl spray (or generic version) for the day.

Did you take anything different while on vacation? Different allerergy medicine or herbal suppliment? Reason I'm asking is we were on vacation last year and DH took one of those energy suppliments because he had to drive home and we were really tired. We got home at 2:00am, and had to go up to the emergency room at 3:00am because he was breaking out in hives. Turns out the energy suppliments he took had oyster shells it in, and he is allergic to shellfish!

By the time they figured out what was wrong (around 5:00am) the hives were already calming down and he was fine.

Just think if you took or tried anything different on vacation. But, I agree as long as it isn't getting worse, or you're having problems breathing you should be able to treat it yourself.

An oatmeal bath would really help the itchiness... and woot to you that you get to go to the Indy 500!! Make sure you're protected from the sun cuz race days are looooong days! On June first, my dad and I are going to the NASCAR race in Dover, DE - got seats on the front stretch, I'm so excited yet I'm almost counting on getting sun burnt no matter how much lotion I use lol

I would definitely take a good amount of benedryl before bed - it apparently has like huge amounts of anti-histimine in it and that's what gets rid of the reaction... good luck, hope you're better in the morning!

One caveat - I wouldn't use BOTH the Benedryl pills and the topical lotion at the same time.

Originally Posted by kluchetta

One caveat - I wouldn't use BOTH the Benedryl pills and the topical lotion at the same time.

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When I talked to the CVS pharmacists (see my first post in this thread lol) he said there wasn't anything wrong with taking the benedryl and using the anti-itch spray... dunno about other types of topical things though

You might be able to google drug interactions or check web md if you're unsure

Originally Posted by BuzbyJLC10

When I talked to the CVS pharmacists (see my first post in this thread lol) he said there wasn't anything wrong with taking the benedryl and using the anti-itch spray... dunno about other types of topical things though

You might be able to google drug interactions or check web md if you're unsure

Click to expand...

Maybe I'm remembering something the Dr. told me about one of my kids.

Originally Posted by kluchetta

Maybe I'm remembering something the Dr. told me about one of my kids.

Click to expand...

It's worth bringing up... can't be too careful

It would be safe to check for possible drug interactions with the Benedryl and anti itch spray. I think most topical anti itch stuff uses hydrocortizone. Better check though just to make sure.