Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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WarriorGal 07/12/2018

I had these VERY ITCHY bug-bite-like hives from July 2016 to Jan 2017. Saw two allergists. Lots of meds. They never found out what it was and concluded it was an autoimmune reaction from my RA. ???

Back and VERY VERY itchy. Can't sleep. Up at 4:15 - 4:30.

WarriorGal 07/12/2018

Thanks.

SoTired84 07/13/2018

Oh Warriorgal... this is just horrible... hope you get some relief..

WarriorGal 07/13/2018

thanks.... ibuprofen helped!!

MarleneJ 07/13/2018

I was just given this website by a friend yesterday, about another AI disease that causes itching. I am going to ask my rheumatologist for testing. Not saying this is you, as you are saying hives, not just itchy skin.

http://pbc-society.ca/blog/category/pbc-blog/

I was given Dicolfenac plo gel 10% a few years ago, to rub on my joints. Well, it also helps insect bites and any kind of general itching, which I get all the time, for no particular reason. And sometimes, I don't get it, for no reason, either.

I hope you get some answers. Itching is like Chinese water torture. It's not the pain, its the drive-you-to-distraction thing that is unbearable.

Happy_Heart_888 07/14/2018

I get rash on bottom of my nose... when my RA flares up.. the rash does too. I use OTC hydrocortisone cream, twice daily. Or sometimes I just put Aquafor.

WarriorGal 07/14/2018

That's what's interesting about these two bouts of hives. My RA was NOT flaring either time.

WarriorGal 07/18/2018

So asked my Rheumy:

If my hives are caused by an overactive immune system. . . .do i need to be on another med?

No. If you feel good Ra-wise and my blood work shows low inflammation, no. Leave well enough alone. Just treat the hives with antihistamines which is what I'm doing.

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