Hives

crazyforinfo

crazyforinfo

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What could be some causes of hives other than food allergies? It's not detergents or soaps. My doctor said previously that an allergy test is not reliable. For 3 days now I have been getting hives in hot spots early in the morning. Saturday it was when I sat up in bed. I had this back in September too really bad. It's been mild this past weekend. The only medication I am on is the Beta Blocker and I have been on that for awhile now (two months with the brand name). This is really starting to bug me on the cause.

Any suggestions/ideas is greatly appreciated.
 
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strange_wings

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Lots of things can cause urticaria - even water (impurities in water) or pressure in some people.

Drugs are a very very common cause.

Do you sweat much at night? Are these hives on pressure areas?

Here's one link that lists several causes. I had another one that had a better layout, but I can't figure out where I stashed that bookmark.
Looking up "urticaria" (med term) should get better info than hives.

I've had vibration induced ones on my hands - drives me absolutely crazy with the itching that doesn't go away for hours.
 
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crazyforinfo

crazyforinfo

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I really don't sweat but I did get very hot before getting out of bed. Not sure if it happened the last two days but I have been up for 2 hours and they just started. Right now I have one on my waist/panty line. I feel my shoulders and rib cage itching. It's driving me nuts trying to figure out the trigger. It's hard to prevent without knowing it. I swear someone put a jinx on me. I feel like I am falling apart with these weird things since having DS.
 
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strange_wings

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Pregnancy and child birth is traumatizing to the body. Some recover faster and some, like you, feel like they're falling apart. Plus the added stress of a baby takes a toll, too.


Did you discuss anything to treat them with your doctor? As you can see from the link I posted there's different types of antihistamines if you have problems with the first gen like benadryl (I've never been able to take it, even as a child. Another bad experience with a different first gen makes me wonder if it's because they're anticholinergic agents - not sure how that would mix with a beta blocker).
There's stuff like Zyrtec and Claritin if you want less side effects and to not get drowsy.

Of course, discuss this with your doc since you're on the BB and look up any drug thoroughly.


And as I've been telling people repeatedly. There are foods that are high in histamine. They may not cause an allergic reaction, but for some it can raise the circulating levels of histamine and make reactions to other things worse. Watching what you eat, if these hives become a constant problem, could help a little.
 
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crazyforinfo

crazyforinfo

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

Pregnancy and child birth is traumatizing to the body. Some recover faster and some, like you, feel like they're falling apart. Plus the added stress of a baby takes a toll, too.


Did you discuss anything to treat them with your doctor? As you can see from the link I posted there's different types of antihistamines if you have problems with the first gen like benadryl (I've never been able to take it, even as a child. Another bad experience with a different first gen makes me wonder if it's because they're anticholinergic agents - not sure how that would mix with a beta blocker).
There's stuff like Zyrtec and Claritin if you want less side effects and to not get drowsy.

Of course, discuss this with your doc since you're on the BB and look up any drug thoroughly.


And as I've been telling people repeatedly. There are foods that are high in histamine. They may not cause an allergic reaction, but for some it can raise the circulating levels of histamine and make reactions to other things worse. Watching what you eat, if these hives become a constant problem, could help a little.
Click to expand...
Yes he prescribed an antihistamine and I can't say it really helps b/c it takes a good 30mins for them to disappear with meds and without. The pill makes me sleepy.

I feel like a freak. LoL We both looked up the BB and it isn't a side effect. It's just so strange and happens usually first thing in the morning.
 
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strange_wings

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Originally Posted by Crazyforinfo

We both looked up the BB and it isn't a side effect.
Click to expand...
Are you sure? http://www.allergyclinic.co.uk/urticaria.htm#drug BBs have a lot of side effects.

I'm just wondering if it's heat + pressure. I can't imagine that you're doing much while you're asleep.
Maybe you need to change sheets (better airflow) or add a mattress pad or something?
When was the last time you vacuumed your mattress? (just in case, dust mite poo is irritating to practically everyone and a very common allergen)

Your antihistamine sounds like it might be a first gen - there's a slight overlap of BBs and what a first gen that's an anticholinergic can do. It's not a drug interaction, but that both can make your blood pressure fall and affect heart rate. Be careful.
 
carolpetunia

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Y'know, some of what you're describing sounds like it could be shingles, rather than hives. Maybe you should go ahead and call your doctor -- if it's shingles, it could get serious.
 
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crazyforinfo

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

Are you sure? http://www.allergyclinic.co.uk/urticaria.htm#drug BBs have a lot of side effects.

I'm just wondering if it's heat + pressure. I can't imagine that you're doing much while you're asleep.
Maybe you need to change sheets (better airflow) or add a mattress pad or something?
When was the last time you vacuumed your mattress? (just in case, dust mite poo is irritating to practically everyone and a very common allergen)

Your antihistamine sounds like it might be a first gen - there's a slight overlap of BBs and what a first gen that's an anticholinergic can do. It's not a drug interaction, but that both can make your blood pressure fall and affect heart rate. Be careful.
Click to expand...
Hmm maybe I am not sure about the BB:

Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, constipation, mesenteric arterial thrombosis, ischemic colitis.

Allergic: Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, pharyngitis and agranulocytosis; erythematous rash, fever combined with aching and sore throat; laryngospasm, and respiratory distress.

Originally Posted by CarolPetunia

Y'know, some of what you're describing sounds like it could be shingles, rather than hives. Maybe you should go ahead and call your doctor -- if it's shingles, it could get serious.
Click to expand...
I did that in September and by the time I got to his office the rash was gone. I already had the shingles and this isn't it but close enough to make me think it was.

Now friend is thinking celiac. Another thing that could cause both of my issues. Now to convince the doctor to check me for it. I hate not driving but I hate driving. LMAO I might try to get in on Wednesday when DH is off but it's the holidays.
 
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strange_wings

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^That takes a blood test to check and a biopsy to confirm.

Look up BB and angioedema, too.
 
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crazyforinfo

crazyforinfo

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

^That takes a blood test to check and a biopsy to confirm.

Look up BB and angioedema, too.
Click to expand...
ewwwwww
It doesn't look like that thankfully. Most of that is on the face too which is the one area I have been ok.
 
momofmany

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I get rashes if you blink at me wrong. But generally itchiness can also be caused by parasites, particularly if they are on pressure point spots such as a waist band, underware lines, etc. Chiggers will do this, as well as body lice - I got that one time shortly after DH and I went to a movie, and it sounds a lot like what you are describing. I also got a full body rash from a fungus I picked up in Mexico one time.

Just trying to give you more ideas.

I feel your pain.
 
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crazyforinfo

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Originally Posted by Momofmany

I get rashes if you blink at me wrong. But generally itchiness can also be caused by parasites, particularly if they are on pressure point spots such as a waist band, underware lines, etc. Chiggers will do this, as well as body lice - I got that one time shortly after DH and I went to a movie, and it sounds a lot like what you are describing. I also got a full body rash from a fungus I picked up in Mexico one time.

Just trying to give you more ideas.

I feel your pain.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the ideas. I wondered about chiggers too. The first time I notice them I was sitting at my computer. I thought my chair was infested. The last two times it was after I sat up in bed. ewwww I might have to shop for vacuum bags sooner. I need to sterilize. LMAO


ETA:
I called the doctor and he said we will discuss it in January to keep taking the Hydroxyz & BB.
 
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