[babydanielsmom]

Sunday night I had what I thought was a rash....but this stuff has turned into a living hell !!I now have hives that cover about 50% of my body. I have been to my family practioner 3 times and just paid a visit to the ER today b/c I felt like I was having trouble swollowing. None of the doctors have a clue what is going on <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">: The Dr thought I might be having some weird reaction to my prenatal (Tandem) and I haven't taken it in well over 50 hours and I still have hives. The Dr said since I'm having such a sever reaction to whatever, he prescribed me a Medrol steriod pack ( 6 pills for 6 days) To my knowledge I have never had an allergic reaction to any food/ detergent. Sadly I've only had an allergic reaction to Benadryll. Is anyone else going through this? I cannot sleep and I'm just needing some advice or a hug something. Here's a list of things that I have tried:<br><br>
cool shower<br>
every single OTC anti itch cream (Aveeno, Calladryll clear, Cortaid, calendula ..etc)<br>
baking soda paste to rub over the hives<br><br>
I guess I should add that one of the really strange things about these hives is that earlier today they were completely gone and in a matter of 5 min I was cover in them again. I had not ate anything for about 4 hours prior to the breakout.<br><br>
Im so sorry this is so long but I'm just so desperate for any advice

 

[~PurityLake~]

Have you considered it's not food related?<br><br>
Perhaps something inhaled from the air around you that wasn't there before (I'm thinking scented candles or air freshener or neighbor with wood burning stove)<br><br>
Or from contact with something... new clothes with heavy dyes, a new throw on the couch, etc.

 

[noahs.mom06]

Did they not think it could be PUPPPS? My sister had this with her first and was covered in hives. When I have itching problems, I like to use lotion w/ peppermint EO, the cooling effect takes away the itching, even if it is just temporary...

 

[babydanielsmom]

the dr told me he didn't think it was PUPPS b/c that usually only occurs in the 3rd trimester and PUPPS will stay on the body not come and go. Thank you about the suggestion about the smoke from a wood burning stove !!! we visited my mom's last weekend and her chimney was stopped up.... it got a little smoky in the house ....but if it is that shouldn't it br going away by now or at least getting better? When the breakouts occur them seem to be getting worse<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> I have my first OB appointment today. Hopefully she can figure it out

 

[bedheadmaestro]

The same thing happened to me just this week (i'm 35 weeks)! Although, it started on my back and radiates around to my belly. It is localized in that area only, came on literally within minutes, and has not gone away or moved since. it is a huge thick, solid and red patch spanning my whole lower back, radiating out to irritated bumps on the side of my belly, raised, itchy, hot, and not spreading. So I assumed it was PUPPPS but apparently PUPPPS normally starts on the belly in the stretched skin, not on the back? So I'm busy doing my research on what else it could be but I also have the creams, dandelion pills, etc. just in case it is PUPPS. it could also be an allergic reaction to bengay that I applied in that area last week, but then why is the rash not also on my hands and why did it take 4 days to show up? i also recently stopped taking macrodantin antibiotics- could my body be purging the medicine? whoknows.

 

[adoremybabe]

I see that you are really early in your pregnancy. I know several people who get hives early on. It's like a pregnancy indicator for them. One of my best friends had them bad. I think she had them for a couple of weeks. As far as I know she didn't take any meds to help with them. She used ointments and such to soothe her skin. Hopefully they will pass soon.

 

[sky_and_lavender]

Sometimes people get severe hives in response to emotional stress. Adjusting to pregnancy can be pretty stressful, in my brief experience.<br><br>
I went through a period in my life when I had terrible, terrible itching and hives almost constantly. It seemed like my stress over them intensified them even more. Interestingly, the first episode started after I went camping and was doused in campfire smoke. I really feel for you. Although I've been through all kinds of pain in my life, severe itching is one of the worst things ever. I didn't find any remedies that helped, but I think trying various remedies was a good distraction.<br><br>
I know it sounds laughable when you're itching like crazy, but I'd encourage you to try to distract yourself with other activities like light exercise (that doesn't make you too warm, since warmth can intensify hives) and/or try formal relaxation techniques.

 

[k13]

When I was fifteen I broke out in terrible hives like that for no apparent reason. We went through everything I had done - what I'd eaten, what soaps I'd used etc. etc. and nothing was out of the ordinary. If I remember correctly, the doctor gave me some pills that didn't end up helping. The hives spread over my whole body - huge - started coming up onto my neck and face. That's when we went to he ER and they gave me something intraveneously that made my heart race (probably not safe for pregnancy whatever it was) but it took them away immediately and they did not come back. Everyone chalked it up to stress but I did not feel like I was under any unusual stress when the hives occurred. I mean, I was a teenager and always pretty stressed but didn't get hives all the time. My mother does get mild hives from stress as does one of my daughters. It is odd though that I've never had them again since - 20 years later. I've never figured out what cause those hives. Maybe it was something hormonal??<br><br>
Just thought I'd add my experience - I hope your hives clear up.

 

[leelee lee]

I am not sure if this is helpful, but the only time in my life I have ever been covered in hives it was due to exposure to mold/mildew in an indoor pool. Is it possible that maybe your bathroom has a problem with those? Other than that, I have actually gotten hives when I was too hot or too cold, but that was only as a teenager.<br>
Keep in mind that allergies can intensify when you are pregnant, or so I have heard. I am currently allergic to my wedding band, which, being made out of white gold, contains some nickel. I can't wear it now - I get hives underneath the band!<br><br>
BTW ... have you tried hydrocortisone cream for the itching? Not sure if it's safe for pregnancy, but it can be helpful with itching.<br><br>
Hang in there, you will figure something out (or your doctor will.) I hope you feel better soon!

 

[babydanielsmom]

Thanks everyone, I'm guess I'm hoping that this is just an early indicator of pregnancy. I called my OB back this morning b/c the hives were starting to look almost like chemical burns !! she's going to take a look at it and if she can't figure it out she is sending me to a dermatologist. Did I mention I HATE going to doctors.

 

[j_p_i]

I wasn't pregnant at the time - but about a year ago I got hives from eating lobster (I'm from Maine and have been a lobster-aholic since I was born!). Normally this would be considered a shellfish allergy, but since I'd eaten it my whole life with no issue (and have enjoyed that and other shellfish since then with no reaction) it was finally deduced that my immune system was lowered because of some vaccinations I'd had to get. I was in the military at the time and was forced to get a series of anthrax vaccines (yikes, I know). I'd gotten one three days before I ate the lobster, and it lowered my immune system enough that I reacted to something I never had before (or since).<br><br>
I know that pregnancy, especially early on, can run you down. Perhaps you are experiencing something similar because of a lowered or weakened immune system? Kind of a shot in the dark, but perhaps you might find it helpful? In any case, I hope you're feeling better soon!

 

[gabysmom617]

Wow, I'm sorry you're going through this.<br><br>
I had hives when I was pregnant too. (I gave birth in Oct, and just was heading through here to get to my due date club, but couldn't ingore your post.)<br><br>
Mine were pretty miserable, and always started in the evening around sunset, but they never got as bad as yours sound.<br><br>
My nurse midwife put me on regular claritin (not claritin D). I just took it when I got miserable. I too didn't know where on earth the were coming from, and never had them on a very regular basis until I was pregnant with my second. Nothing I did could ease the itch, aloe, lotion, baking soda and oatmeal baths, nothing. Only the claritin could give me relief. It wasn't PUPPPS because they came and went, and they started well before my 3rd trimester, and were not in any way similar to PUPPPS.<br><br>
I still have them sometimes now, even though he is 2 months old but they are slowly but surely fading away...I get them less and less frequently and it has been quite a while since I've seen any.<br><br>
How does your hcp feel about you on claritin? I don't know if it would work, though, since yours seem to have gotten pretty bad.<br><br>
Those things are miserable. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> I hope you feel better.

 

[Vegan Princess]

I broke out in hives the day after my first midwife appt. I think I was 10 weeks. They lasted for about 2 full days and I had them everywhere. I paid a visit to my derm and she suggested it might have been a reaction to having so much blood drawn. Have you had any sort of medical procedures or visits recently? I don't know if it was that for sure though. My mom broke out in a rash when she was early on in her pregnancy with me and they never knew what it was from - so maybe it's just from hormones. I hope it goes away soon for you!!<br><br>
Cindy

 

[babydanielsmom]

Well, this has to be some sort of food allergy. I was admitted into the hospital yesterday for going into into this SEVERE reaction. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> My throat closed, my tongue was swollen, my body was covered in hives. They had to give me a shot of Epinephrine. I was terrified !! I have an EPIpen to keep w/ me at all times now, and I have to make an appointment w/ an allergist on Monday. I am just so worried about this pregnancy. This is so much to go through in the early stages of pregnancy. I did go to my OB appointment ( this was before the attach began) and my OB said I was measuring 5 weeks and everything looked fine. But like I said this was before all of the other stuff began. I'm not having any cramping/bleeding....I am taking this as a good sign. So now I'm back home and just praying that this is all over b/c the doctors do not know what is causing it .My next Ob appointment is this coming Friday so please send some good vibes my way mommas !!

 

[MOMYS]

Jess! Big (((HUGS))) to you! Please keep us posted!

 

[Critty]

I have chronic autoimmune urticaria (hives) and have had for the past 4.5 years and I react to food, chemical smells and various other things, but none are a true allergy. My immune system just got tripped up one day and it has been over active ever since. Keep your epi-pen with you at all times, I know taking epi is awful, but it is a life saver. I am not sure what is considered "safe" in pregnancy (ironically, whenever I go off the BC pill I start shocking like a mad woman, so we are having our baby with a surrogate), but I believe prednisone is, as well a Benadryl - there is a dye free version. I take zyrtec and zantac (much higher than regular does) 2 a day. If zantac is safe in pregnancy, you might want to add that it in, it is a h2 histamine blocker. Keep a diary of everything you eat or touch or go to see if you can see a pattern. So sorry you are going through this <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad">

 

[sunnydays6]

did you ever find out what was causing them? are they still happening... it's been 10 days since your last posting. I am 7 weeks pregnant and broke out with hives 4 days ago. they started on my face, eyes were so swollen, red, itchy patches, some raised, everywhere, neck, chest, belly, legs, butt, you name it. during the last 4 days it has moved around a bit, clearing in some spots and then starting up again. i have to been to my GP, the ER, an allergist and a dermotoligist. I am now on a few meds, 1 being Zyrtec, atarax(spelling?) and a stomach med that I forget the name right now. I hate taking all these because I am very worried about my developing baby. eveyrone is in communication with my Gyno and everyone swears this is safe, but how can anyone be that sure? I will do this for 2 more days and then reevaluate everything. i was tested today for food allergies, so we'll see. oh and my dermotoligist says with 100% confident it is happening inside my body, not from shampoo, degergent, blankets, etc. either it is the pregnancy or a food. cant be anything else. so that is refreshing to know. would love to hear what is happening to you now.

 

[bedheadmaestro]

as for me, my hives patch went away as quickly as it came. it had to have been an allergic reaction to bengay. I was never sensitive to it before I got pregnant, although I probably used it once a year. People keep telling me that allergies develop/intensify during pregnancy, so...

 

[Dahlea]

perhaps you have puppps? i had it and it is the worst thing ever. i even went so far as to immerse body parts in ice+water! if that is it nothing cures it but delivery...even then it took a while to go away =(