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Hello all,
I thought that since there are some health gurus among us that I would come here with my problem and see if anyone can be of help.
About 2 weeks ago my skin randomly started breaking out in very small, very itchy hives. They started on my arms and chest and very slowly spread to the rest of my body. Every time I scratch them they just swell up more, and they hurt like heck!
The thing is, I had this happen once before about 2 years ago. At the time I was extremely depressed and stressed out, so I suspect that's what caused it. The dermatologist I went to said it was because of stomach problems I was having (which I don't believe, because I went to a internal specialist and he said that was BS, and all the tests he did came back negative) and put me on Prednisone (a strong steroid) to get rid of the hives. I was on the Prednisone for a week, the hives went away, and then once I went off of it, they started coming back, so the dermatologist put me on another course of Prednisone!!! After that they went away.
THIS time, I can't think of anything that could cause this! I'm pretty sure it's not allergies, because I have not changed anything in my diet or environment, and the rash does not respond to Benadryl or Hydracortisone cream. Also I have no allergy-like symptoms- I am perfectly fine and healthy other than the rash. My house is pretty much cleaner than it's ever been, and I am eating really healthfully and drinking lots of water. I did have some minor stress at the end of August- I helped my old roommate move out, my new roommate move in, and I was going on job interviews. But I wasn't really upset or worrying about any of it!! I also just started school and a new job, and my car broke down, but those things happened after the rash started. I was exposed to paint and bug killer, but all of that was at least 4 days before the rash even started, and I don't think it would last this long if that's what it was. I can't for the life of me figure out what's going on, besides either some kind of stress/nerve thing, or some kind of virus maybe?? I have no idea.
I had some of the Prednisone left over and (BAD idea, I know) I started taking it, and the rash went away. Then I ran out of it, and the rash came bacK!!!! It's still there, but lessening a bit. I've been taking oatmeal baths and using aloe vera lotion, and I got some other lotion with oatmeal, calamine and something else in it today. I tried cutting out soaps and household cleaners that I thought could cause it, nope, it's still there! I already use hypoallergenic laundry detergent, I washed all my clothes and sheets, vaccuumed my upholstery, put a new HEPA filter in the air purifier... still there. ARGH!!!!
So basically I would like any suggestions as to (A) what it could possibly be! and (B) if anyone knows some remedy to help soothe it. I have a doctor's appointment on Monday but that is a long time to suffer!!
Thanks!
Julie
I thought that since there are some health gurus among us that I would come here with my problem and see if anyone can be of help.
About 2 weeks ago my skin randomly started breaking out in very small, very itchy hives. They started on my arms and chest and very slowly spread to the rest of my body. Every time I scratch them they just swell up more, and they hurt like heck!

The thing is, I had this happen once before about 2 years ago. At the time I was extremely depressed and stressed out, so I suspect that's what caused it. The dermatologist I went to said it was because of stomach problems I was having (which I don't believe, because I went to a internal specialist and he said that was BS, and all the tests he did came back negative) and put me on Prednisone (a strong steroid) to get rid of the hives. I was on the Prednisone for a week, the hives went away, and then once I went off of it, they started coming back, so the dermatologist put me on another course of Prednisone!!! After that they went away.
THIS time, I can't think of anything that could cause this! I'm pretty sure it's not allergies, because I have not changed anything in my diet or environment, and the rash does not respond to Benadryl or Hydracortisone cream. Also I have no allergy-like symptoms- I am perfectly fine and healthy other than the rash. My house is pretty much cleaner than it's ever been, and I am eating really healthfully and drinking lots of water. I did have some minor stress at the end of August- I helped my old roommate move out, my new roommate move in, and I was going on job interviews. But I wasn't really upset or worrying about any of it!! I also just started school and a new job, and my car broke down, but those things happened after the rash started. I was exposed to paint and bug killer, but all of that was at least 4 days before the rash even started, and I don't think it would last this long if that's what it was. I can't for the life of me figure out what's going on, besides either some kind of stress/nerve thing, or some kind of virus maybe?? I have no idea.
I had some of the Prednisone left over and (BAD idea, I know) I started taking it, and the rash went away. Then I ran out of it, and the rash came bacK!!!! It's still there, but lessening a bit. I've been taking oatmeal baths and using aloe vera lotion, and I got some other lotion with oatmeal, calamine and something else in it today. I tried cutting out soaps and household cleaners that I thought could cause it, nope, it's still there! I already use hypoallergenic laundry detergent, I washed all my clothes and sheets, vaccuumed my upholstery, put a new HEPA filter in the air purifier... still there. ARGH!!!!
So basically I would like any suggestions as to (A) what it could possibly be! and (B) if anyone knows some remedy to help soothe it. I have a doctor's appointment on Monday but that is a long time to suffer!!
Thanks!
Julie