annarayne

sounds incredibly similar to what i had last may. the doctors had NO idea what it was at all. it lasted me well over a month and they called it "viral".. because they couldn't figure it out.
here's how it played out for me..
it started off with a lot of itching around my wrists, then little red bumps showed up. it was sooo itchy i was actually biting... just scratching didn't do it. i'd put on some ice to try and numb the itch. that lasted a week until other symptoms started showing, i had bumps in other places, itching everywhere else! it got to the point it was all over my face and arms (not a pretty sight) and people thought i was allergic to the sun.. i went into the hospital because i was swelling really bad from it and having difficulty breathing. they were stumped, gave me some benedryll and a prescription for the itching. i was in and out of the hospital because it wouldn't go away and further more, i was getting very bad pains just below my ribs to the point i couldn't breathe, stand, do anything.. in the end i was refered to a dermetologist who saw me asap, he had no clue what it was.. it was very bad. my tongue was really red and swollen, my face puffed up and red.. my whole body covered in hives.. (keep in mind i'm not allergic to anything..) he said if it'd persist he'd have to get my blood sent somewhere to try and treat it but said in the meantime to relax, not over exert myself, not work, just basically do nothing at all because it'd aggrevate it. as well, not to shower, use any type of soap that's too strong, not to use tide detergent.. not scratch.. just rub my skin gently.. basically be incredibly careful to not irritate it.
i still get a few hives now and then.. nothing like before.. when i had this, someone else told me of their niece who the same thing happened to her.. so i guess this isn't unheard of.
i'd say get it checked out if it gets anywhere as bad as it did for me, if only for the anti-itch stuff! hopefully it doesn't get that bad for you and it'll clear up soon.. just don't try to irritate it too much.. that'll only make it worse.
since may, my skin has been far more sensitive then its ever been.. my doctor said it's because the reaction has caused it to be hyper-sensitive.. or something to that effect, so i still have to be careful with what i use on my skin..