Hives!!!! I'm dying here! :(

Well, after one trip to the GP, one trip to A & E for a bit of trouble breathing and swollen hands and feet, and multiple trips to the pharmacy, I seem to be doing a little bit better today. I've been on antihistamines since Friday, guess they are building up in my system and working a bit. I noticed that I was itching a lot after I ate some bread last night (maybe a coincidence) so I didn't chance it and just got some gluten free soups and rice to eat and I've been drinking lots of organic chamomile tea and lots of bottled water. Tepid baths and calamine lotion have helped a lot. I also found Kingsley House anti-itch cream which has chamomile and urea in it and that seemed to help soothe my skin a bit.

Today, I actually managed to wash and dry my hair, get dressed and buy a few groceries which was a massive improvement considering I hardly got out of bed for the last three days except to jump in a cold shower and I spent my waking hours crying from misery. Yikes. Pretty serious stuff, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy!  But it seems to be fading a bit and is significantly less itchy than yesterday, so hopefully I am on the mend. (Though when I woke up, I had a few spots on the soles of my feet which doesn't feel great.) I still slept all afternoon, but at least I managed to get out and about. Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'm hanging in there.

Aw, that sucks Jewlz! I'm glad you're feeling a little bit better, though.

Any idea what set you off?

A very, very hot steamy shower has worked for me. Something about heat releasing the histamines.

This is strange!, Since earlier this year I've noticed this effect with heat, so when I had a really bad case of the itch, I've now been using the running hot water tap from cold to hot as I can take it while gently washing my hands and the relief is amazing! So much so that I've had less itch attacks and in fact I rarely use betnovate now. A really hot shower and a hot bath might make a difference.

Any idea what set you off?

Not too sure, Stoatula. It may have been something in the Quorn vegetarian products (I had eaten a broccoli and cheese escalope that night that I hadn't tried before) or it could be a sudden nut allergy, so I am avoiding both of those things just now, as well as gluten and wheat as that seems to make me more itchy for some reason. I don't think I'll be able to avoid bread forever (eep!) so I will probably try some once I get better and just see what happens (scary).

This is strange!, Since earlier this year I've noticed this effect with heat, so when I had a really bad case of the itch, I've now been using the running hot water tap from cold to hot as I can take it while gently washing my hands and the relief is amazing! So much so that I've had less itch attacks and in fact I rarely use betnovate now. A really hot shower and a hot bath might make a difference.

I've had psoriasis and dry itchy skin for years, and hot baths and showers always seem to make me itchier.  I guess it depends on the person. They normally say with hives to take tepid or lukewarm baths, so that's what I have been doing and it seems to soothe my skin a bit, though I'm freezing by the time I get out!

Fortunately today is a further improvement! Still a bit itchy in places, but the rash has faded considerably. Fingers crossed.

Have you had a cold or virus at all recently Jewlz? When I had my massive hives explosion (seriously, how uncomfortable is your foot completely engulfed in hives?!) it was related to the fact that I had just contracted mono.  The doctor said sometimes viruses can set off hives in people. 

Have you asked to be tested to determine what you are allergic to - in case it is being caused by an allergy.

You really should.

Next time, your reaction could be worse.

Hopefully, it is something that you can avoid.

Well now that I have shared my secret in the proper thread, I can say that the hives may have been due to the pregnancy hormone. It isn't common, but it happens to some unlucky women. Either that, or the pregnancy has given me new allergies. I am going to discuss it with my midwife today.

Oh my goodness, Jewlz. Just had a chance to catch up with this properly... I'm so sorry that you're going through this! I hope that it continues to improve. *hugssss*

Well now that I have shared my secret in the proper thread, I can say that the hives may have been due to the pregnancy hormone. It isn't common, but it happens to some unlucky women. Either that, or the pregnancy has given me new allergies. I am going to discuss it with my midwife today.

When did this happen?!?!? Congratulations!!!!! 

(I don't often read that other thread.)

Congratulations 

When did this happen?!?!?

Well at least you didn't ask how 

Hopefully your midwife can give some good advice Jewlz, especially on the mediciation front, etc!   

Congratulations to you!!

When did this happen?!?!? Congratulations!!!!! 

(I don't often read that other thread.)

Well at least you didn't ask how 

Hopefully your midwife can give some good advice Jewlz, especially on the mediciation front, etc!   

Congratulations to you!!

LOL... thanks, everyone. I haven't posted it on Facebook yet, so I've been keeping a little quiet these last few weeks.  I'm about 7 - 8 weeks along, probably due around 13 May, but will find out more in my first scan next month. 

Thankfully, hives seem to have almost completely gone! Just one or two little itchy spots left, but trying to make do without the antihistamines today as the itchiness isn't too bad if I stay moisturized. My midwife says I can ask for allergy testing once I've had the baby and see if they can find anything. Until then, I'll just hope I don't come in contact with whatever may have set it off (unless it was just hormone or stress related or something.) Now I can get back to feeling happy about pregnancy again instead of crying in itchy agony! 

Congratulations, Jewlz! Glad that hives are gone.