cantholdmd
03-29-2003, 03:19 PM
Hey guys...very frustrating situation.
I have a very weird rash which no one can diagnose. I get the rash USUALLY (not all the time) at night. It looks like hives. It itches like crazy. At times it can go away for a day then comes back...Last week it was gone for 3 days then came back an hour after I went in a tanning bed...(I dont know if tanning had anything to do with it)....
Ive had the rash 2 months now...My first doctor said its a viral infection which should clear up in a month. He did a strep test..flu test...and did tests on my blood for diseases and everything came out ok.
A month later my second doctor said "See a dermatologist"...unfortunately..with my Health Care provider I cant even see a derm for another 3 weeks. This doctor also did extensive blood tests and everything is ok.
I have been taking paxil for 8 months now...could this be causing this?? Out of the infrequent side effects hives is listed..as well as itching..but this was listed for 1 out of 1000 patients...and wouldnt it occur right when I started taking the meds or could it happen after my body is adapting to it???
Other then that I havent changed anything in my lifestyle..same detergent..same foods..nothing in my diet has changed ..Ive been eating thesame things since I was little.
The weird thing is that like I said earlier...last week I didnt have it for 3 days...then as soon as I went tanning for the first time in months this rash came storming back the worst its ever been. By whole body feels hot and I feel sick in the stomach.
ALSO...trying to give you the most information I can give...My period was delayed and when it came 2 days ago I had horrrrrrrible cramps....
WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?? If any doctors are reading this and think they can help please contact me...I gladly will try and provide any more information I can..Im just totally confused and frustrated.
Thanks so much
J
I have a very weird rash which no one can diagnose. I get the rash USUALLY (not all the time) at night. It looks like hives. It itches like crazy. At times it can go away for a day then comes back...Last week it was gone for 3 days then came back an hour after I went in a tanning bed...(I dont know if tanning had anything to do with it)....
Ive had the rash 2 months now...My first doctor said its a viral infection which should clear up in a month. He did a strep test..flu test...and did tests on my blood for diseases and everything came out ok.
A month later my second doctor said "See a dermatologist"...unfortunately..with my Health Care provider I cant even see a derm for another 3 weeks. This doctor also did extensive blood tests and everything is ok.
I have been taking paxil for 8 months now...could this be causing this?? Out of the infrequent side effects hives is listed..as well as itching..but this was listed for 1 out of 1000 patients...and wouldnt it occur right when I started taking the meds or could it happen after my body is adapting to it???
Other then that I havent changed anything in my lifestyle..same detergent..same foods..nothing in my diet has changed ..Ive been eating thesame things since I was little.
The weird thing is that like I said earlier...last week I didnt have it for 3 days...then as soon as I went tanning for the first time in months this rash came storming back the worst its ever been. By whole body feels hot and I feel sick in the stomach.
ALSO...trying to give you the most information I can give...My period was delayed and when it came 2 days ago I had horrrrrrrible cramps....
WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?? If any doctors are reading this and think they can help please contact me...I gladly will try and provide any more information I can..Im just totally confused and frustrated.
Thanks so much
J
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Wake25
03-31-2003, 10:13 PM
My guess is that it IS the paxel. are you on any antihistimines? time to try a NEW one! drink more water...
ronelle
04-02-2003, 03:24 PM
This sound very simaler to what I've been suffering with. It took me awhile to be diagnosed. My regular Dr. thought it was an allergic reaction to something and prescribed Allegra, when that did not help she sent me to a dermatologist. He diagnosed me with dermatographism. This is some info I found on it: Hives that form after firmly stroking or scratching the skin are called "dermatographism". It affects about 5 percent of the population. Most people with this condition are otherwise healthy. These hives can also occur along with other forms of urticaria. They may typically appear in young women and last for months or even years. Basically I can write my name on by skin and it turns red and puffy and lasts for five minutes or so. He took a wood stick and made an X on my arm within a few seconds it was red and swollen. The Dr. said the best thing for me is to take the antihistamine I've been taking on a regular schedule. (Zyrtec?)along with some steroids to help reduce inflamation. It's also very important to avaid tanning as this agrivates the problem! You need to be using a good fragrance free, hypoallergenic mosturizing lotion at least 3 times a day, especially right after a shower. Keep your nails cut short so you don't damage your skin more when scratching. I use Cetaphil lotion. He also sent me to the lab to have blood drawn to test for Lupus, thyroid problems and other stuff to rule those out as the cause. Hope this information helps. You can do a search online on the condition too.
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RB
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RB
Imjustwondering
04-02-2003, 08:46 PM
ronelle, ANYTHING at all that you find out about your condition please share with me. I have the exact same problem as you. Im currently on Reactine and an antacid. I went to a Derm before and he gave me Aerius (desloratadine) to try. It did not work. I've had dermatographism for 10+ years so I really do wonder what it could be. My derm never mentioned thyroid or lupus. Im gona see a doc soon. Talk to you later.
Stinkerbell
04-10-2003, 12:32 PM
wow...same thing here..its only at night..ill break out with tiny hives on my butt hips sides and they spread from there...itches like crazy..the only meds im taking is zoloft. dr told me that isnt hats causing it....keep us updated on remedies...
Rachael
Rachael
Michele922
05-02-2003, 01:59 PM
Sounds like a couple of thing going on, which may be related. I'd check with a GYN for the irregular bleeding and cramps - could be uterine fibroids and/or endometriosis - which could disturb your hormone balance and result in hives.
On the other hand, it is possible to develop allergic reactions to just about anything, at any time, even if you were never allergic to the agent in the past.
Another option is that you have some sort of autoimmune reaction going on. An allergist is your best bet for this. He/she may further refer you to a rheumatologist if joint pain were involved.
This is all from personal experience - 10+ years of dealing with all of the above :)
Good luck.
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Understanding all have pain leads to compassion.
On the other hand, it is possible to develop allergic reactions to just about anything, at any time, even if you were never allergic to the agent in the past.
Another option is that you have some sort of autoimmune reaction going on. An allergist is your best bet for this. He/she may further refer you to a rheumatologist if joint pain were involved.
This is all from personal experience - 10+ years of dealing with all of the above :)
Good luck.
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Understanding all have pain leads to compassion.
ora952
05-10-2003, 08:28 PM
I am new to this forum. I have suffered with re-occurring hives for the past 4 years. I went undiagnosed for the first 2 years. I have discovered that I have a natural rubber latex allergy, (nrla). Nrl(natural rubber latex) is everywhere. I wonder if you have given any thought to this as a possibility. You mentioned that you broke out after using a tanning salon, a possibility is that the area was cleaned using latex gloves. I break out if I am in a room where they have used latex gloves (the protein becomes airborne). Some indicators for me were hives after a visit to the dentist, we went to a carshow, they used latex balloons for decorations, I was covered with hives. There are also foods that cross react with latex, banana, kiwi, avacado, and chestnuts are the main culprits. I get hives from bananas. Sometimes I just get very red cheeks, and flushed, or it looks like welts. Other times my rash looks like poison oak (blisters), the first time- I thought I had measles.
I know how frustrating not knowing is, I kept a diary of everthing I ate, touched, wore, and drank, it has helped me see the offenders that cause me to react.
Good luck - and be patient, it does pay off.
Ora
I know how frustrating not knowing is, I kept a diary of everthing I ate, touched, wore, and drank, it has helped me see the offenders that cause me to react.
Good luck - and be patient, it does pay off.
Ora
sunny3
05-11-2003, 11:23 AM
Hi to All,
I've also, over the last 3 weeks, been dealing with hives and a skin that gets red after itching. (The itch is wild!) My derm said that my airborn allergies, which usually resulted in sinus reactions, have switched to a skin manifestation now. I am newly menopausal and I've read in a 'google search' that there is a relationship between hormones and histamines. My plan is to have a test done to see where I'm at hormonally, and then see what I can do to support my hormonal imbalance. For me, I think, the hormones are playing a big role in this problem. Let us know how all of you make out. Best wishes!!
Sunny
I've also, over the last 3 weeks, been dealing with hives and a skin that gets red after itching. (The itch is wild!) My derm said that my airborn allergies, which usually resulted in sinus reactions, have switched to a skin manifestation now. I am newly menopausal and I've read in a 'google search' that there is a relationship between hormones and histamines. My plan is to have a test done to see where I'm at hormonally, and then see what I can do to support my hormonal imbalance. For me, I think, the hormones are playing a big role in this problem. Let us know how all of you make out. Best wishes!!
Sunny
Lo
05-12-2003, 06:15 PM
Hi!
A few years ago I had an allergic reaction to codeine, in which I broke out in hives, mostly around my inner thighs. Even though I stopped taking the codeine, I kept getting these break-outs off and on for almost a year. I tried changing everything-detergent, soap, etc. What worked for me? Nothing, they suddenly stopped spontaneously! Now I just make sure everything I use is hypoallergenic, which helps a lot. Hope they go away soon, I know how aggravating it is.
A few years ago I had an allergic reaction to codeine, in which I broke out in hives, mostly around my inner thighs. Even though I stopped taking the codeine, I kept getting these break-outs off and on for almost a year. I tried changing everything-detergent, soap, etc. What worked for me? Nothing, they suddenly stopped spontaneously! Now I just make sure everything I use is hypoallergenic, which helps a lot. Hope they go away soon, I know how aggravating it is.
girlygirly
05-16-2003, 11:14 AM
Have you had your thyroid checked out? Look on the site on this board to see if any of the symptoms apply to you. Hives and irregular periods are among the symptoms.
It's worth a look into.
It's worth a look into.
lovinmybaby
05-23-2003, 11:50 PM
A friend of mine, and I both have little itchy red bumps that never go away - legs and feet mostly, but also on the hands. We picked it up traveling in Europe 15 years ago. We were told that they are sub-dermis warts. No cure. You can pass them on to your kids, but aren't contact contagious. Tanning makes them worse, especially tanning beds. Cold compresses are they only thing that help. If it's any consulation, they flare up, then go into remission. Summer is the worst.