QUESTION: My problems is that I break out frequently with large red blotches all over my body.
They seem to come and go, and I have never been able to get a doctor's appointment while I still had something to show him.
My boyfriend says they are hives and nothing to worry about, but I am still very anxious. Can you tell me what the condition is and what I can do about it?
ANSWER: It's always extremely difficult to make an accurate diagnosis about a skin condition without actually seeing the lesion or rash, but since your own doctor seems to be in the same boat, let me try.
Your boy friend's assessment of the situation may be correct.
Hives are itchy red blotches that suddenly appear anywhere on the body, and then tend to fade out with a new crop arriving within minutes.
They may be as small as a pea or as large as a dinner plate, with all sizes in between occurring at the same time.
Swelling may accompany the rash, and the appearance of the skin changes constantly for the duration of the "hive attack".
That may last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days.
They are the result of an allergy or exposure to some type of skin irritant.
The allergy may be to food, food additives (such as food coloring or preservatives), medications (either prescribed or over-the-counter), or substances that have been inhaled during breathing (dander, dust or pollen as examples).
They may also result from an infection or insect bite, and some people develop hives when their skin is exposed to extremes of heat or cold.
First aid for ordinary hives requires you to stop any vigorous physical exertion and apply cool compresses to the skin.
This will help reduce the itch which becomes worse when you are warm. Antihistamines are useful in combatting the hives, but the most important thing you can do is to try an discover just what sets them off.
Keeping a diary of daily activities can help.
If the hives or swelling becomes worse or is accompanied by wheezing, dizziness or shortness of breath, an emergency visit to your hospital or physician is a must, as these are signs of a severe reaction.
Short of that, hives are more of a nuisance than a severe disease, so you need not be overly concerned.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
