Hives Support Group

Hives is a relatively common form of allergic reaction that causes raised red skin welts. These welts can range in diameter from 5 mm (0.2 inches) or more, itch severely, and often have a pale border. Urticaria is generally caused by direct contact with an allergenic substance, or an immune response to food or some other allergen. Hives can also be caused by stress.

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Allergies & Immunity
/ Hives Support Group

strep infection

cibby
cibby
Have dealt with hives 3 times in my life. The 1st time was 30 yrs ago. I was treated with prednisone. Saw a Dermitologist and he tested me for everything. I am not sure how long I had them but they were terrible. I got pregnant and they went away. 25 years ago the same thing happened. Back to the same Dr. back on the prednisone but this time with all the testing they found that had a strep infection in my blood. Treated the strep with penicillen but the hives still had to run their course. An unplanned pregnancy and my hives were gone. Had a breakout of slight psoraisis probably 20 years ago and same diagnoses of strep in blood. When my Dermitologist saw this he remembered treating mw when i was in 4th grade with an out break of psorasis but was not tested for strep and he felt that was probably what caused it. Four weeks ago I noticed that my hands were itching. The next day hives started appear randomly. I kept them at bay with Bendryl but after about a week I was covered. Thankfully not on my face which has happened in the past. I called my MD and she took a look at me and suggested a short course of predisone. I said yes if she would test my blood for a strep infection. Hoping that is would be positive. Strep test came back negative and this weekend ended my 2nd course of prednisone. Nothing else works and I cannot stand the itching and worried about if they will start appearing where people can see them. Called Dr today and starting a longer course of prednisone. I hate being on it because of the weight gain. But at time that is all that helps. Does anyone think I should be tested for thyroid or lupus. Pregnancy is not an option at my age of 55. Has anyone ever been told it could be hormonal? I know from past experience you may never find the cause. I am so fed up with all of this..
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have been wondering if these can be hormonal also. I got a bad case last year and I also had a baby last year. The hives showed up while I was both super hormonal and very stressed and tired. I'm not sure if it's related or not, but I've never had it that bad before and it was my first baby last year.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi cibby. It is definitely worth checking your thyroid function and while they are about it a lupus test wouldn't hurt. I have had two major episodes of hives in the last 17 years. I am now 52. The first after having 4 babies and 3 miscarriages in 7 year time frame. Then last year when menopause kicked in. My immunologist told me that hormonal changes can be one of the causes of hives.Taking High doses of antihisamine (ie 4 tablets per day, 2 in the morning and 2 at night) as well as prednisone is all that works for me. This seems to reduce the dose and duration of prednisone treatment which reduces the weight gain issues. But you'd need to talk to your doctor about trying this. Stress seems to be a contributor for me too and lets face it having hives is enough stress just by itself. It affects you emotionally as well as physically. Towards the end of my last episode I started to look like Quasimodo!!! and the itching and sleep deprivation was unbearable. The Dr explained to me about Mast Cells and how they influence how many histamines we produce ... perhaps you should be seeing an immunologist instead of your MD. I had my thyroid removed after my first son was born because I had 3 tumours and prior to this I had never had hives ... My episodes are few and far between (usually last about 5-6 months each time) compared to many others who seems to have them chronically but they are absolutely awful. The Dr thinks mine are triggered by being exposed to a virus of some kind that my body goes into over drive to protect me from ... it could be a virus that my body has a memory of. I hope you can get some answers and relief and that this information has been helpful. With Kind Regards Christine.
cibby
cibby
Christine, Wow, you sound alot like me. I just turned 55 I think I have been in perimenopause for the past 15 yrs. Hormones all over the place. Still having periods but getting less often and do not last very long. What do you mean about the antihisamines? When you were taking two in the morning and two at night were you still taking the prednisone? What antihisamines were you taking and how much prednisone? Just today someone else recommended me to a immunologist. Were you happy with the results? Thanks Debbie
orichila
orichila
Hi I'm 51 and have been suffering with hives for almost 10yrs. I am now taking Zyrtec with short lived mild outbreaks. I think their might be something to do with hormones and infections too! My first ever breakout was about 10 months after my first child and several years later I now have them all the time if I don't take an antihistamine. Had my thyroid tested and an ANA test both negative. As long as the antihistamines work I will be able to cope. Good luck! : )
cibby
cibby
It is me again. After a long course of being on prednisone they came back. The first day off. Went back to Dr. has me taking one claritin in the morning, Zantac and Xyzal at night. Waiting for me at the drug store is another script for the Prednisone. I did not think I would get it filled unless I got bad. As the day is going on they are coming out more and more. Do anyone think an Immunologist is worth the time and money? Will I know anything else.
I think the people on this forum know more than the Doctors.
orichila
orichila
If you can afford it and have a good Dr. go for it! You still can make the final decision. And before taking anything be sure to weigh the side affects! Good luck! : )
cibby
cibby
Thought I had found the cure for me. After taking the claritin, xantac and Xyzal for two days my hives were staying away. Last night by the time I was going to take the Xyzal (which I should have taken two hours earlier) my hands were swollen and covered with hives. I started back on the long course of predisone. Should I have waited? No sure. I have to go to work tomorrow and did not want them covering my body. Will keep updating. The good thing is that while on the prednisone I will not have the hives. Only thing to try not to think about is what the predisone is doing to my body.
cibby
cibby
it's me again. After taking the second long course of prednisone with also the claritan in the morning and the Xyzal in the evening I am 4weeks without hives. Every itch I get I am sure it is a hive. Stopped with the Xyzal about two weeks ago. With my insurance it is $50.00 co pay and I did not want to ask Dr for any more samples. Will continue with the claritan ( generic ) afraid to stop. Also someone mentioned to me about vitamin D. I take 1000IU and 2000 IU the next day. Back and forth like that. No one knows what living with chronic hives are like except possibly our spouses. I did not want to take that second long course of prednisone but it seemed to do the trick. This is the shortest period of time they have latest for me. Still do not have a clue what triggered them which is a common thread for chronic hives.
Thinking of you all and hoping you all can outcomes like I have this time. Cibby
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was told once that Hives can be hormonal, but for me that is not the cause as all my hormones levels are normal.

I am only 20 and had my first stint of Chronic Hives at the age of 12 for one year, The latest round started in 08, it has been 17 months now, 24/7. They appear everywhere, just people stare at times, but there is nothing we can do about it, it ain't stopping me though, well work wise just, had just gotten a volunteer position at a local Children's Hospital where I have a lot history as a patient, but due to my hives they said I would not be able to take the position.

The only thing that works, well not really, in just Benadryl, 100mg, when needed every six hours. It makes me so drowsy I don't care if I am itching, but otherwise the hives don't go away.

Hang in there.