It's a GP one!! Would you wouldn't you...

[HeckNeck1]

Bother the GP with this?

For about the past month or so my neck keeps flaring up with what seems to he some sort of reaction.

It starts in the centre of my neck and spreads all the way around and up to my ears. It's raised, bumpy, red and very itchy.

I am at an utter loss as to what is causing it, I've been keeping an eye on when it happens and there doesn't seem to be any pattern in what I've eaten or drank or am wearing. I have stopped using perfume, I haven't changed my washing powder etc.. it's not dry so I don't think it's anything like eczema.

It seems to be happening more and more frequently and some days I even wake up in the morning to it.

Attached is a pic this morning, it tends to gradually get worse as the day goes on until my neck feels red raw and its all up by my ears.

I have tried various anti histamines.

It's hives. Have a look at your diet and what you eat/drink before it happens, keep a diary and keep antihistamines to hand.

OP
If you dont want the doc - go to Chemsit to confirm it is what the others have said.

Good luck

I would try the pharmacist as opposed to the GP, show them that picture.

Well I did immediately assume this but I've been keeping a diary for a month now and I just can't see any pattern. Some days it happens before I've even eaten or drank anything that day, some days it's there when I wake up.

And I have antihistamines all the time, doesn't seem to do anything.

Pharmacy might be a good idea!

Perhaps bloods to rule out autoimmune issues?

Yes, would absolutely go to the GP with that. It looks like allergic hives.

edited as cross posted with answer about antihistamine.

The dose of antihistamine my allergy specialist gives me is v v large compared to the over the counter doses. So it could be that you need a bigger dose.

Have you considered dust mites op?

I have to wash my bedding hot and keep everywhere very clean and dust free otherwise in sneezy and blotchy.

And yes of course I'd go to the GP

Echoing the others - hives.

You can get antihistamine cream which you can apply directly. That along with Lanacaine (cream with painkiller in it) will help the itching.

Mine are usually the result of a bite but sometimes it just seems to happen.

Could this be an adverse reaction to some meds?

Currently not taking any meds other than antihistamines for this

DD2 had a rash exactly like this.

GP said food allergy. Kept diary etc.

Seen by allergy consultant (private) it was eczema.

Non bio (specific brand) and creams work to keep it at bay.

I get similar with nickel. Have you been wearing a necklace or something with a zip fastener or clothing with metallic thread?

What is the necklace you are wearing made of?

It's sterling silver. I've worn it for years. I did take it off for a couple of weeks to see if that could help but it didn't seem to make any difference.

It seems to travel more upwards than down at the necklace.

Go to the pharmacy and they will probably recommend some hydrocortisone cream, which is exactly what the GP would likely do!

I get something similar (hives) when I wear or handle anything pure wool.

I am allergic to some anti-histamines!! Took me a while to work it out. Swapped to a different one and the hives went.

Random question- do you use a wax melter?

Wool is indeed very possible culprit. I get that exact thing in my wrists and neck if I wear it.

It happens even if a garment only has a small % of wool in it, with some things you don’t even realise till you check the label.