so very itchy!

[CheerAngel]

Hi 'annarayne', I guess you could switch to cold water to shower instead of the warm water. Warm water will cause the hives to erupt as what I wrote previously... mast cell degranulation. Unless you have cold urticaria ('allergy' to the cold) then you must avoid cold stuffs, like the cold shower. Taking a cool shower can also help soothe your rashes/hives. Take Care!

[KLK]

hi there~
Several years ago ...about 9 I too had a unbelievable episode. The doctors believe the hives and itching were from PCN...I'm not so sure. I thought I was goiing to go crazy with the itching. My doctor put me on claritin and I stayed on it for a long time....over a year. I was terrified to go off of it but eventually I did and the itchy sensation did not return.
Good Luck

[MomwithMS]

I am the self-proclaimed queen of itchiness! LOL
Seriously, not a day goes by that I am not covered in itchy hives. My face, my arms, back, stomach, legs, hands, feet (bottom of feet. . OMG do those itch and swell). I itch all over and all of the time.

I was prescribed atarax (hydroxyzine) for the itching. I take 2 to 4 pills per day (except for when I run out of my rx! LOL)
But, I also take the generic claritin during the day. Lotion (hypoallergenic WITHOUT any scents or additives) will relieve some of the itching.

I saw a dermatologist who recommended clarinex. I haven't tried it yet, though.

Best luck! I I completely understand what it's like to itch all the time! It's quite miserable.

[annarayne]

actually, the hospital had given atarax at the time when i had the reaction... i still have some which i willonly use if i hive up... i don't want to waste it lol.. thanks for the tips!
cheerangle, i have reynolds syndrome.... and very bad circulation.. cold water would not go well with that i don't think. it'd probly just aggrevate that a whole lot..

[ahimsa]

Originally Posted by MomwithMS

I am the self-proclaimed queen of itchiness! LOL
Seriously, not a day goes by that I am not covered in itchy hives. My face, my arms, back, stomach, legs, hands, feet (bottom of feet. . OMG do those itch and swell). I itch all over and all of the time.

I was prescribed atarax (hydroxyzine) for the itching. I take 2 to 4 pills per day (except for when I run out of my rx! LOL)
But, I also take the generic claritin during the day. Lotion (hypoallergenic WITHOUT any scents or additives) will relieve some of the itching.

I saw a dermatologist who recommended clarinex. I haven't tried it yet, though.

Best luck! I I completely understand what it's like to itch all the time! It's quite miserable.

Hi - I know what you mean about the feet, that's the worst!

I noticed your username - do you have multiple sclerosis (please pardon my spelling)? Ever since my doc told me my chronic hives/swelling were autoimmune, I started reading and researching on the subject. Autoimmine includes a large variety of different conditions, MS being one of them, and also lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and others. I have read (though we all know you can't believe everything you read) that people with autoimmune disorders can have some cross over. Do you think that's what you have, MS with autoimmune hives too? Thanks, I am very curious.

My hives have been gone for a while probably due to the meds I take. I continue to get occasional all-over itch which may last for 2-4 days at a time. But almost every day I get swelling and flushing on my hands, feet, and face. The flushing is a bit like lupus, especially on my face, though I don't have any other lupus-like symptoms. I find myself wondering what's next...