Quick question - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

Tasia W · 01-05-2008, 01:19 AM

Quick question
Can hives be just another symptom of MS? The reason I ask is, I have been getting hives frequently on and off for the past three months. Most noticeable is when I am very tired, or put into a stressful situation.
New years my step kids begged me to go into the hottub with them. I had to get out cause my skin started to feel on fire and I developed hives all over the place...just wandering? Thanks for your replies

MSNik · 01-05-2008, 07:49 AM

HI Tasia. First of all, a hot tub? You can handle the heat of a hottub? Most of us cant. I certainly cant...it makes me overly dizzy, nauseaus and weak. I cant even handle hot showers anymore, unless I gradually turn the water to cooler before I get out. Heck, the hair dryer has been known to give me the "heat shakes".

As to your question, Hives are NOT a part of MS, however hives are a huge part of stress. Its very possible that the stress you are putting on your body is causing you to break out in hives. How bout the cold weather? Has that contributed to it? Are you using any new soaps, lotions or detergents? All of those things can bring on a sudden case of hives...also food allergies. Taking any new supplements? Vitamins? things which might have something your allergic to in it? You are going to have to think about this, and try to keep a journal for a week on when the hives appear, and what you did the 10 hours previous...see if you can figure out the connection. Or, it might just be plain old stress. You did say when you are in a stressful situation they appear.

Sorry to hear you are dealing with this....have you found that anything makes them go away? Try an over the counter cortisone cream or even aloe? If this continues, I would make mention of it to your doctor..he might run some allergy tests just to make sure its not an allergen causing this...but he might also want to run a basic blood test, just to check your levels. Im sure they are fine, but its always good to do a "just in case" when its that simple to do.

Hugs to you.....thinking of you this weekend, and thanks for all your support.
Nikki

Tasia W · 01-05-2008, 01:11 PM

Hi Nikki,
I know hey, hot tubs! I have been reluctant to use them for the same reasons, however I thought that since it was outside in the cold winter weather I wouldn't over heat. Guilt also played a huge part. The kids are always asking me to do stuff and I feel like I am always turning them down! I did not stay in the hot tub very long needles to say.
I have not changed anything in my life, i.e. lotions, perfumes, detergents etc. I notice that when i am really tired, upset or stressed that is when they come out. I do not use anything for them as they go away overnight. I truly believe that stress is the culprit in this one.
As always thankyou for responding and take care!!!
T

MSNik · 01-05-2008, 06:45 PM

If the stress doesnt get you, the guilt will, right?

I know ALOT about that, Tasia. If you are certain nothing has changed as far as allergens go, then there is only two other options. You DEVELOPED an allergy to something youve been using for a long time (it can happen) or STRESS IS GOING TO GET YOU. Hey, I break out, you get hives...arent we a pair? I seem to have the inevitable zit from stress almost every day of my life...you appear to be getting hives.
I wouldnt believe that you could handle a hottub, but bless you for trying! Those kids must adore you...my stepchildren alternate between thinking Im their best friend, and reminding me that their mother lets them do.....whatever it is they want to do. We usually get along really great, but now and then....you know. With the upcoming surgery im actaually trying to remember the bad days with them, thinking of it as a type of birth control...is that crazy wrong?

Listen, talk to your doctor about this...its not an emergency, but if it doesnt stop, talk to him. You might be able to take something as simple as benedryl or another over the counter drug to help control this...but more importantly, you want to make sure nothing you are taking is causing it!
big hugs
Nikki

Rani · 01-08-2008, 10:48 PM

I thought my hives were related to my MS too but the Allergist said I have developed an allergy to aspiring or pain killers. It is hard not to think that allergy symptoms can be exacerbated by MS though - they are both conditions where our immune systems are going into OVERDRIVE!