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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

190 replies

Dancerk · 01/09/2025 03:43

So for the past three days I’ve had some sort of reaction. I’ve got hives/welts all over (scalp, bum legs, hands) plus blotchy skin. Hands and feet swollen slightly. Mostly it’s a mild nuisance. But a few times a day it just fucking gets so intense that I have my dogs comb brush I am just basically sanding my skin off to keep the itchiness at bay. Talking 30/40 min flare up where my body explodes. My body is so raw from scratching using all sorts. Even used a butter knife and blunt scissors to get a bit of relief

I haven’t eaten anything new and I have no food allergies that I am aware of. I do randomly get hives maybe once a year but normally it goes after half a day.

Just had a flare up which left me crying as it was so uncomfortable. Felt like my whole body was erupting.

I’ve convinced myself it’s either my detergent or dust mites. Im so scared to touch anything so im
sat on my plastic office chair butt naked. Crying. My feet are very itchy. Tbf everywhere is but my feet are so bad that everything pales in comparison

ive taken piriton but nothing helped.

i did have a stubborn cold I’m getting over (chat gpt said it may be linked)

im just hoping for advice. Im so paranoid. Literally shivering from the cold but worried it’s my detergent I have issues with. It’s been 7 days of shitness (period, cold, hives). My joints have also started to hurt,

I’ve got to leave the house in 3 hours. Not slept 😢

x

OP posts:
AnimalFarm567 · 01/09/2025 03:48

Didn't want to read and run. Why haven't you seen a doctor? What makes you so sure it's not viral?

Original poster
Dancerk · 01/09/2025 03:50

AnimalFarm567 · 01/09/2025 03:48

Didn't want to read and run. Why haven't you seen a doctor? What makes you so sure it's not viral?

God I have no idea. I assumed it would be a 24 hour thing like I’ve had in the past. I’m still getting over the cold so been resting this weekend. Ringing gp in the AM. Cold has pretty much cleared up but it hit me quite hard for most of last
week.

thx for responding x

OP posts:
Jeevesnotwooster · 01/09/2025 03:54

That sounds awful. Have you tried NHs Direct?
Do you have any calamine or antihistamine cream?

Ponderingwindow · 01/09/2025 03:55

It time to go to the doctor.

this kind of incessant itching and the resulting sleep deprivation is not a trivial problem. You need medical intervention.

if you have a washer and dryer, go wash something loose and comfortable with no soap and a cup of vinegar. Put it in the dryer with no fabric softener. This will help strip the clothes of residual detergent.

if you have a child who can be dropped at school or nursery, do that. Then whatever else you have planned for the day can be missed.

call your GP. If they can’t see you today, go to an urgent care. If there is no urgent care, go to a&e.

hernameis · 01/09/2025 03:57

It could be bacterial or viral or it could even be stress related (appreciate you're very stressed right now!). Easy to say but try not to scratch it. An oat bath might be soothing if possible. Can you try a different antihistamine later too?

So sorry for you, it sounds awful

Original poster
Dancerk · 01/09/2025 03:59

Jeevesnotwooster · 01/09/2025 03:54

That sounds awful. Have you tried NHs Direct?
Do you have any calamine or antihistamine cream?

have neither. Only piriton which I’m not sure helped

OP posts:
StellaLaBella · 01/09/2025 04:00

You’re actually quite sick. You need to be seen IMO. Your immune system is in free fall by the sounds of it

CustardCream31 · 01/09/2025 04:00

So sorry you’re experiencing this. Definitely GP asap.

I’d also definitely ask for blood tests - full blood count (FBC) and liver function tests (LFT). Sometimes if bloods are wonky (especially LFTs/itchy feet/joint pain) this can be the cause.
Good luck.

heldinadream · 01/09/2025 04:00

@Dancerk oh my goodness you poor love. I agree with previous poster, I think it's likely you've got a virus.
But to be practical; you say you have to leave the house in 3 hours, do you mean for work? Because I really don't think you should be going to work today, you're ill and in pain and stressed and haven't slept.
I think you need a GP appointment and a day- minimum- off.
I wonder if eating something soothing will help calm you? How about a bowl of porridge? (I feel like if I was there I'd be mothering you with simple things, and somehow that's what you need to do for yourself - are you alone? Do you live alone?)
Big hug.

AmoozzBoosh · 01/09/2025 04:02

CustardCream31 · 01/09/2025 04:00

So sorry you’re experiencing this. Definitely GP asap.

I’d also definitely ask for blood tests - full blood count (FBC) and liver function tests (LFT). Sometimes if bloods are wonky (especially LFTs/itchy feet/joint pain) this can be the cause.
Good luck.

Also check vit d levels, I had something similar and turned out my vit d was seriously low - apparently affects immunity, who knew.

Solidarity- sorry you're suffering Flowers

Original poster
Dancerk · 01/09/2025 04:03

Ponderingwindow · 01/09/2025 03:55

It time to go to the doctor.

this kind of incessant itching and the resulting sleep deprivation is not a trivial problem. You need medical intervention.

if you have a washer and dryer, go wash something loose and comfortable with no soap and a cup of vinegar. Put it in the dryer with no fabric softener. This will help strip the clothes of residual detergent.

if you have a child who can be dropped at school or nursery, do that. Then whatever else you have planned for the day can be missed.

call your GP. If they can’t see you today, go to an urgent care. If there is no urgent care, go to a&e.

THANK YOU. I’m so tired and frustrated that I’m not thinking straight. Will go and wash my clothes,
sheet and a blanket. No soap.

Really helpful to have outside advice. My head is
gone x

OP posts:
Jeevesnotwooster · 01/09/2025 04:04

Dancerk · 01/09/2025 03:59

have neither. Only piriton which I’m not sure helped

Show quote history

Could you try a cool bath or cold compress?

DD used to have severe exczema and coconut oil also helped but don't use on broken skin

Agree with others that you sound quite ill. A colleague had something similar last week but less extreme.

PearTreeBoat · 01/09/2025 04:06

@Dancerk That sounds truly miserable. I had something similar a few weeks ago where I effectively had an allergic reaction to a chest infection so it is possible that your cold has triggered some sort of immune response.

Would a cold flannel/towel on the hives work better than itching the skin raw?

Original poster
Dancerk · 01/09/2025 04:09

StellaLaBella · 01/09/2025 04:00

You’re actually quite sick. You need to be seen IMO. Your immune system is in free fall by the sounds of it

Edited

the cold was randomly stubborn and prolonged. Will ring gp asap. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I was really feeling overwhelmed and alone when I first posted x

OP posts:
Original poster
Dancerk · 01/09/2025 04:12

CustardCream31 · 01/09/2025 04:00

So sorry you’re experiencing this. Definitely GP asap.

I’d also definitely ask for blood tests - full blood count (FBC) and liver function tests (LFT). Sometimes if bloods are wonky (especially LFTs/itchy feet/joint pain) this can be the cause.
Good luck.

I had a blood test recently. It was noted I had an iron deficiency. Need to take folic for 6 months. Need to go the pharmacy and pick it up

x

OP posts:
Original poster
Dancerk · 01/09/2025 04:23

heldinadream · 01/09/2025 04:00

@Dancerk oh my goodness you poor love. I agree with previous poster, I think it's likely you've got a virus.
But to be practical; you say you have to leave the house in 3 hours, do you mean for work? Because I really don't think you should be going to work today, you're ill and in pain and stressed and haven't slept.
I think you need a GP appointment and a day- minimum- off.
I wonder if eating something soothing will help calm you? How about a bowl of porridge? (I feel like if I was there I'd be mothering you with simple things, and somehow that's what you need to do for yourself - are you alone? Do you live alone?)
Big hug.

work unfortunately and then I’m supposed to be tidying up for a friend who asked to crash at mine ahead of a flight. God I’m just so over everything. Had a horrible week with the cold and now this is sending me over the edge.

live alone.

you’re very kind, much appreciated.

OP posts:
Happyhappyday · 01/09/2025 04:24

Dancerk · 01/09/2025 04:03

THANK YOU. I’m so tired and frustrated that I’m not thinking straight. Will go and wash my clothes,
sheet and a blanket. No soap.

Really helpful to have outside advice. My head is
gone x

Show quote history

You need steroids. ASAP. I had similar happen recently (although I knew the source). Even though I hadn’t been in contact with it for several days, once the reaction was going, I needed prescription steroids to stop it. I went to Urgent Care (like minor injuries), but no idea if the NHS would even take it seriously. If it’s that bad, even prescription hydrocortisone isn’t going to sort it.

Happyhappyday · 01/09/2025 04:26

Also Benadryl is more effective than periton and you can double up. You can take Benadryl, Claritin and fexnofenadine (Allegra).

RealPerson · 01/09/2025 04:33

Yes benadryl is the best. Your GP could also prescribe Diclofenac, a good anti inflammatory

Original poster
Dancerk · 01/09/2025 04:35

Just so grateful the flare up has passed (mostly). I’m going to go sleep on the sofa as I’m still just so paranoid re detergent.

I will be ringing gp asap. I can’t do another day like this.

You all have been SO AMAZING. I felt so overwhelmed and alone when I posted. I’m not religious but I actually prayed to God for relief lol. But just having some friendly and helpful responses has been incredible. Thank you all for your kindness xxx

OP posts:
AussieManque · 01/09/2025 04:35

I suffer from chronic hives. It started one day out of nowhere 3 years ago, and now I get blotches every day even with a daily anti-histamine. Acupuncture helped somewhat but I couldn't sustain weekly visits.

It's quite common in women in their 30s and 40s, it's basically an auto-immune condition. There's no solution, I'm afraid.

You mention you had a cold. It may well have been covid, which can trigger new auto-immune conditions.

Be aware also that certain antihistamines, like zirtec, have hives as their withdrawal symptom - I've basically accepted I'm going to be stuck taking it for life.

itsybitsyteenytot · 01/09/2025 04:36

I had something similar a couple of years ago. I won't bore you with the whole story as it went on for several weeks before I realised what was causing it. I had started having mild allergic reactions to my shampoo, then I had my hair dyed as usual and it triggered a nasty reaction like you seem to be having. I haven't been able to dye my hair since unfortunately. I hope you can see your GP asap and get some relief, it's so awful but steroids helped me.

Sowingbees · 01/09/2025 04:36

Are you taking the right amount of Pirotin and are you taking it as regularly as you are allowed?

You need to try to not scratch as it is ultimately making it worse.

As you are up I would call 111 and get advice/appointment at urgent care- you need to see someone today.

AussieManque · 01/09/2025 04:37

Suggest testing yourself for covid now, as it will be useful to know if it's what you've had this week which could have triggered the hives, especially if it becomes a prolonged condition. Also please try to avoid infecting others and wear a mask when you go to the GP.

AussieManque · 01/09/2025 04:37

Suggest testing yourself for covid now, as it will be useful to know if it's what you've had this week which could have triggered the hives, especially if it becomes a prolonged condition. Also please try to avoid infecting others and wear a mask when you go to the GP.