Severe hives - too afraid to touch anything. Sat on office chair naked and crying

I think you should ring the reception back, they can prescribe different antihistamines and a sleeping aid.
Very poor service from your GP.

You can definitely take Piriton (Chlorphenamine Maleare) with Allevia - fexofenadine. They are different classes and a combination I was prescribed by GP for horrendous hives that turned most of my skin purple with blotches.

Piriton is every 4-6 hours I think, so it is good to stay on top of it, but it often causes drowsiness. Allevia is probably just once daily.

There are various Benadryl's, so I couldn't comment on combinations.

I had a horrible attack of hives last year after a prolonged cold/sore throat/general run down period. Never could pinpoint it on anything. Calamine lotion was the only thing that soothed them - I looked like a ghost. I also tried an old sock full of porridge oats in the bath which helped too.

Really hope you are better soon - my feet were the worst too.

When the itching is bad take a HOT shower, as hot as you can bear without burning yourself obviously. I've had chronic urticaria all my life and this really helps take the itchiness away, and feels orgasmic.

Moisturise well afterwards.

with the joint aches it sounds almost more rheumatology potential autoimmune condition than a simple allergy/skin condition? Definitely see your gp and ask about this, ask about blood tests and a rheumatology referral? Hope it improves soon.

I was covered in hives and it was horrendous. Turns out my Ferritin level for Iron is insanely low. See if they will test you for that as well.

Have you taken photos? If you email to the GP she may realise the severity.
I haven't read all the responses, in case no one has mentioned it my daughter has Mast cell activation syndrome following a virus - It may be worth a look.
Really hope you get some relief soon.

If you don’t feel that you explained it all ring reception. Say the consult wasn’t thorough as you found to hard to do over the phone and want a face to face. Explain you didn’t even manage to explain the other symptoms and that you want a full and thorough consult rather than risk it not being treated for the actual problem.

Then if like mine - you get a feedback form complete or honestly.

My GP surgery are great and ask for feedback for every interaction (I’m having ECHs fortnightly atm and get one after each test!).

If it has not improved call the doctor again urgently tomorrow - a friend has similar and it took steroids and other interventions to help. Insist on being seen in person.

I’m sorry, you do have my sympathies as I suffer with allergies and eczema and flare ups can be debilitating, but I read your thread title and hoped you weren’t in the office! So thank you for making me smile.

A cool bath may help with oats - if you’ve got a muslin cloth or similar fill it with oats, tie it up and then attach to the bath tap so the water runs through and then just soak for a while.I find air drying is best. If you can be outside as near naked as possible/decent for the neighbours, cool air will help with the itching.

please talk to the Drs - it sounds like it might be a post viral infection (I get them after bad colds/fly) or it might be shingles/chickenpox.

whatever it is, I hope you get some relief from the itching soon

That's awful, she better hope that you don't get worse, end up hospitalised or worse.

OP, I see you mentioned pain too- just be careful in case it isn’t actually hives and something like shingles- it is usually one sided. A relative had a bad case and it looked similar to hives at the outset. Definitely one for the Dr today!

I know this feeling all too well. I know it won't be helpful immediately but these are great for helping get that relief without damaging the skin.

https://cosi-care.com/?tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=21794283766&tw_kwdid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21783941196&gbraid=0AAAAABTnSMHZkv_ZdiKnoqU5N_ea84O7k&gclid=CjwKCAjwiNXFBhBKEiwAPSaPCaE2ZP4c01CwsXZbIZmxr-cpNehv-rLh-lcsoGMJVK0Ljjnl2ta-fxoC8EAQAvD_BwE

I’ve never heard of post viral urticaria, but I think DC started having this on Saturday night. Thanks to all for some very helpful ideas and OP I hope you are feeling better soon.

I had this last Christmas, it’s hell! I was taking cold showers at 3am when the temperature was freezing outside. You need a strong antihistamine. And a high dose vitamin D. I found that low vitamin D Had triggered mine and even a double dose of strong antihistamine took a week to take effect. Please try not to scratch and use wet cloth to calm the skin. See your GP or pharmacist asap.

I suffered from constant, severe urticaria (hives) for many, many years.
Eventually I discovered it was a reaction to an ingredient in gel type oil capsules, I think maybe glycerin but never really found out exactly what it was. I avoid all forms of gel capsules.
It also flares up if I touch certain fabrics such as microfibre and the papery stuff sometimes used on duvets.

This kind of extreme allergic reaction with hives is well-documented and not uncommon as a post-COVID immune system response. You need to be seen by a doctor and also consider that this is your body giving you a very clear sign to slow down and not push your recovery from whatever virus you might have just had/still have. You don't want to kick off a long term post-viral condition like Long COVID or chronic fatigue syndrome.

I became allergic to my deodorant. Got to the stage I'd put it on and it would burn like hell so I'd rub it off - not really effective so I changed brands.

Have you bought new clothes recently? I went to the Dr with hives years ago. Turns out I was allergic to my new 100% cotton pjs. Apparently it's to do with chemicals used in the country where the fabric was made. I refused to believe it and over the years have attempted to wear the pjs and every single time come up in welts, regardless of how often I've washed them. Finally they got binned.

As much as scratching feels good, it ultimately makes things worse

Can you see the hives come up? If so it's definitely an allergic reaction as viral rashes are not that quick. Eat a low histamine diet for a few days https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/johns-hopkins-childrens-center/documents/specialties/adolescent-medicine/cfs-low-histamine-diet.pdf

Dont scratch if you can possibly avoid it, antihistamine cream may help.

If you can take photos and videos of the flare ups so that if it has calmed down by the time you see a GP you can show them how bad it was. A ruler also helps show the size of the hives on camera too.

I hope you get sorted out. Hives are awful.

Sorry I didnt see this - 4x the dose of piriton can be prescribed for you, 2x is safe for anyone to take when experiencing an allergic reaction.

If it’s an allergic reaction, over the counter antihistamines won’t touch the sides. This is a job for a walk in centre. They might at least be able to give you some prescription drugs and then you can see your GP for more tests.

I have Cold Urticaria (its hives in response to a temperature change) and when it used to kick off, it was horrendous. One time I put the AC on in the car and the itching was so extreme I had to pull into the Services to have a big scratch. I’m on daily prescription antihistamine now and very rarely have a problem.