[ozzie]

I woke up yesterday with a bad case of hives all over my face and neck. Today I went to the doctor. She thinks it's something I ate or a medication but I haven't had anything new or different. My face is driving me nutty because it itches so badly. I can't be in the sun and can't put anything on my face. Going around bare faced isn't good for my Avon business.

Does anyone know how long hives usually last?

[Rhapsody]

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ozzie said:
Does anyone know how long hives usually last?

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From my own experience I would say around 2 weeks....... some times it can be longer.

What I would do is.... go to the nearest 24-7 store and buy a bottle of Benadryl and swallow the full dose for an adult.... do this for a few days - and it should clear up faster.

My daughters Neurosurgeon told me that BENADRYL is the CURE for all that ails you as far as ALLERGIES and ALLERGIC REACTIONS go.... He even went as far to say that it is better than any thing he could prescribe for my daughter.

[Calm]

I have several food intolerances and drug allergies, and one of the side effects from them is hives. Your hives may be due to either of those. It is possible that you have developed a sensitivity to a food or drug that you have been taking. Our bodies change and can develop new allergies to things we have always eaten or drugs we have taken. I really hope your hives subside soon. The itching can drive one batty.

[Perna]

Taking a Benadryl should clear them up almost immediately. I only use children's because I don't like the sedating effect. How about a cool shower, did that have any effect (anything lasting on your skin would get washed away)

I use to get them all the time at night just before bed from contact with my previous cat. Before that, I have contact dermatitis to nickel and once merely tried on a pair of sunglasses with metal frames for a few seconds (the nickel lobby's slogan is "a little nickle in everything") and had a welt across my nose for three days!

I think hives can be aggrevated by being aggrevated about them :-) Medline says infection and stress can cause them as well as drug or food allergic reaction. I know I've gone to bed with hives and they've been gone by the time I've awakened but seem to take longer if I "mess with" them.

[sabby]

(((((((((((Ozzie))))))))))))

Have you tried any new products from Avon on or about your face??? You may be having a reaction to it. Just a thought.

Hope it clears up real fast for you hon!

Hugsssssss
J

[ozzie]

Thanks everyone for your replies and suggestions. The hives subsided mid week only to return again with a vengence over the weekend. ugh! I thought I had it narrowed down to one of my Avon products but now that doesn't seem to be the case. Benedryl did nothing to help but Zyrtec helps a bit. A cold cloth on my face feels good while it's there. Now it is beginning to fade again so maybe I'll be less crazy for the next few days.

[(JD)]

I used to get hives sometimes as a child... being sensitive

I would soak in oatmeal baths and the hives would go away in a day or so...but they always were bearable after the bath. Put uncooked oatmeal in a sock, tie a knot in the top and let it sit in the tub with you... you get something similar to a milk bath

Aveeno is an oatmeal lotion that can help the same way. I know you sell Avon... there are many avon products that I'm allergic to

Drink lots of water... and do things to calm yourself. It might be the stressyou are under that has made you susceptible to the hives reaction?

[ozzie]

I can't take baths due to frequent bladder infections but I may try the Aveeno lotion. My daughter-in-law loves that stuff! Thanks for the suggestions. I do believe that stress is causing some of this to happen....

[Perna]

"When a person has constant or recurrent hives, other underlying medical conditions should be considered. Examples include lupus erythematosus, arthritis, autoimmune process, endocrine abnormalities such as hypo- and hyperthyroidism, menstruation, pregnancy, and possibly cancer (rare)."

Maybe you're pregnant :-)

http://www.yourskindoctor.com/hives.html

[January]

(((((((( Ozzie ))))))))

Are you taking Lamictal or anything in that family of meds? I was on it for three years and all at once developed the Johnson Stevens, (or Stevens Johnson) Syndrome. I got hives on my face first. If you are taking anything in that family, please go see your pdoc right away!

Hugs,

Jan

[sunrise]

I had some really bad hives a few years ago. The welts would grow before my eyes in seconds, all over my body. The soles of my feet were so sore I had trouble walking. I hobbled around like someone twice my age. My joints were really sore too. The doctor was mystified. Benadryl was not strong enough. I got a couple of shots of cortisone several days apart. These were much more effective than the benadryl. Still, I think it was a couple of weeks before most of the hives were gone, and I was still hobbling with stiff joints up to a month later. Take care and ask for the shots if your hives don't improve.