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

[Dancerk]

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

How are you feeling now @Dancerk ?

Much much better, thank you! The Allevia really was a lifesaver. It really calmed down my very very angry flare ups. I still have a few hives on my thighs but they are very mild and not debilitating.

Cant recommend Allevia more, wish I had taken it sooner and sacked off portion which did bugger all

If you've had a cold, it's likely something that's been triggered by a virus. It's possible it's Vasculitis. Google and see if the rash looks similar, as it's triggered by a virus. If you can get any hydrocortisone cream, it's a mild steroid cream, and try it. Call your GP in the morning and get an urgent appointment. My son is prone to Vasculitis, and it's horrible.

I’m glad the Alevia has worked, despite the GP cutting you off. I know they are probably busy but that seems really rude.

I’m glad you’re feeling better. I’ve had urticaria previously and even had hives on the inside of my mouth at one point. Not fun. And Piriton made me faint. Hopefully this medication will keep it at bay, but tepid baths, ice packs, rolling cold drinks cans over my arms and legs and calamine lotion all helped me with the itching.

Has this worked for you ?

Fexofenidine is the only antihistamine that works for me. Also, when an attack happens, I find hitting that part of the skin stops the need to itch. I’m sorry you’re going through this- hives/urticaria is a bitch.

This sounds so familiar. Which meds have worked for you ?

I also think it’s interesting how many have said the link with low vitamin d and iron. Both of mine are low too.

Hydroxychloroquine! It’s been a godsend. The dermatologist prescribed it after a biopsy on two fresh hives confirmed the urticarial vasculitis diagnosis. Was initially on 400mg daily but now on 200mg and not had an actual flare up for 18 months 🤞🏼 (bar a few hives after I stupidly spent too long in a hot tub last year 🙄).

No I don't suffer from hives but both ds and my step ds do. DS finds fexofenidine works for him. Omalizumbab improved step ds symptoms about 90% and by all accounts this was unusual...in that for majority it sees a complete cure.

I get hives when my Hashimoto's flares. I see an allergist for it. I'm on a daily antihistamine regimen with stronger antihistamines subbed in when I have a flare. Some people have to take stronger medicine. I have a relative (by marriage) who has mast cell activation syndrome and had to deal with a lot of hives (and other worrying symptoms) until they sorted it all out. Hives are not necessarily just because you are allergic to a food or detergent. There are other causes.

Try lorotadine, or a different antihistamine. Also, nettle tea acts as a natural antihistamine.

You have my sympathies - I have developed a pregnancy related rash that has spread almost over my whole torso.

I honestly thought you’d got naked in your workplace! 😳
You poor thing, that sounds unbearable. I definitely echo what the others are saying about going to the doctor, and I hope it eases soon x

I’m on Xolair
the increased cancer risk is tiny, it’s something like it says it doubles but in reality it means 2 in 1000 instead of 1. No hair loss for me and I’ve suffered from it before
its been life changing