I am itching to get to the botttom of this....

[dncomom]

Hello, I don't think this is really the right forum for this question but as you all seem to be very "health-minded" I will throw this out there and see what you may know. The last few months I have been getting terrible hives. They are mostly on my elbows, knees, palms and soles of my feet. Crazy, I know. The cause seems to be cold temperatures. Sometimes they get so bad I can hardly stand up as the ones on my feet are very painful. Have you ever heard of this condition? Do you think it could really be caused by the cold weather? I am hoping to get to the bottom of this as I live in Iowa and our winters are plenty cold...TIA for any and all ideas, comments....

[misstapioca]

the hives happened to me last October. i went to the Dr. she said it was stress. i suppose it was. i was working too much overtime my navy boyfriend had to go away on a ship for the first time in our relationship.
She put me on Zyrtec and i have never had any hive since. i only took the Zyrtec for a couple months.

[Pat58]

While you are waiting for an appointment with a qualified dermatologist, check out this website which might give you a clue:
http://www.pathfinder.com/drweil/

You might also try WebMD.com and click Consumer on the home page. I'm not a doctor but it sounds like a skin disorder and/or an allergy, or both. I wish you the best in finding relief.

[marys]

It could also be psoriasis (don't know if that's spelled right). I get dermatitis (itchy, red patches on my neck). When I went to the dermatoligist for it he asked how my elbows and knees were feeling. I thought it was an odd question, but he said that's where psoriasis usually shows up (whereas dermatitis is usually face and neck). He said stress is often a factor, along with the colder weather.

[This message has been edited by marys (edited 10-02-2000).]

[food girl]

I had a friend who suddenly became allergic to down comforters, pillows etc. She had similar symptoms.

I hope you get to the bottom of this quickly!
Lisa

[MrsReber]

I have had hives two or three times. The cause was unknown each time, but it seemed to happen when I wasn't feeling all that well to begin with. The pharmacist recommended Benedryl and that always works for me- just watch out for the drowsiness! Those pills put me in another world! The hives cleared up in a day or a day and a half.

[Vanessa]

Could it be an allergic reaction? Taking Benadryl stops it? Some local ointments might help. I get hives when using wool. So if using wool sweaters I always wear something under so my skin is not in direct contact with the wool sweater.
Hope you feel better

[MrsReber]

Yes, Benedryl should help allergic reactions. It always helped my hives and pretty quickly. The only problem was that I'd be out of commission until the Benedryl wore off. It does a number on me, but it works. Wasn't like I'd go anywhere with those awful red hives all over me, though (on my face too!!!). It was just as well that I slept all day!