ENcourage Connection

I have been stressing over a potential new job, and the idea of being on unemployment for the next school year.
I broke out in hives on my forearms and back Iyesterday. I happened gradually. I have no other symptoms (other that the maddening itch), I have an appointment to see my Derm on Tuesday. This is an appointment I made a month ago...he doens't know about the hives.
Of couse I'm catastrophizing that I have a serious illness. I had hives before. They went away.
Any advice? ANyone have them before? Can anyone talk me out of the catastrophizing.

• Re: HELP WITH HIVES 11:04:19 08/11/2009 KerryAnne In Tassie (1)
  • Wow....Out of *All* the cRaZy, nutty things I have had in my life......... (m) 21:31:31 08/11/2009 Debbie IN California (0)
• Hi Meg 12:48:43 08/10/2009 Anna Banana (0)
• itching to know :) 22:39:01 08/09/2009 Pat at ENcourage (0)
• Re: HELP WITH HIVES 19:29:13 08/09/2009 Judy (0)

In Reply to: HELP WITH HIVES posted by meg on August 09, 2009 at 07:56:50:

Hi Meg! I've only ever had hives twice in my life. The first time was when I was in a car accident and my face and jaw were wired up for 3 months. While I was in hospital I lost masses of weight as I couldn't eat so the Dr's ordered milkshakes and custards etc to fatten me up. After a few weeks I broke out in hives and the Drs said it was from too much milk. When we cut it back the hives went away.

The second time happened when I was going through a very stressfull time just before I left my first husband. I had been breaking out in terrible hives and went to the DR. I didn't have them at the time and he asked me a lot of questions and then he asked me how was the state of my marriage. And low and behold I started breaking out in front of him right there in the surgery. The Dr immediately came to the conclusion it was high stress from my marriage. When I told my ex husband what was causing them he bcame abusive to me and I started breaking out right there in front of him...pop pop pop lol. The hives continued until I left and they never came back.

I didn't get hives again until I experienced my first full-blown panic attack. It happened several times when I had the agoraphobia. As time went by and I was able to get the stress under control the hives disappeared...although I later would have a rash break out across my chest if I experienced an attack...but that hasn'thappened for a long time. Anna gave good advice...I use an Aloe Vera plant for leech/wasp/spider bites etc and it helps to stop the itching for 3-4 hours.
I hope the hives stop soon I know how itchy they can be.
Hugs, Kerry :)

In Reply to: Re: HELP WITH HIVES posted by KerryAnne In Tassie on August 11, 2009 at 11:04:19:

I have never had hives.
However, I have cared for many patients who have had hives.

Meg, a antihistamine, like Benydry, should help with your body's reaction to its own reaction (the most common cause for hives).
It's nuts how our own body's turn on their selves.

The other thing that *I* would do if I had hives would be to apply ice, or take a cool bath. That should relieve the itching and reducing the inflammation of the hives. Heat and scratching will only make them worse.

All will be well. : )

In Reply to: HELP WITH HIVES posted by meg on August 09, 2009 at 07:56:50:

When I started having panic attacks, long ago, I used to have rashes on my wrists. I thought that it was an allergy, because I have allergy to dust, and by that time I lived in a very dusty house, but now I think that it was the anxiety. A year ago or so I went through a very stressing period, and a new rash appeared just above my ankle.

When it happens I usually put some talcum powder on them, and it seems to help the itching a little. Also, if you happen to have aloe gel at home, or a plant of aloe you can cut to get some of its gel, I'm sure that would help too. But the best thing is to try and relax, think positive, do breathing exercises... well, all those things you already know.

You'll be seeing your dermathologist soon, so no need to imagine weird illnesses now, he'll take care of the problem. But it's anxiety, one of those weird shapes that it gets from time to time. It could be worse, long ago somebody told me about a girl who couldn't stop belching whenever she got anxious! just imagine! it seems she belched for hours until she managed to calm down. Anxiety is so weird...

I hope you feel better soon. The itching will go away, and the potential new job will be alright too, you'll see :-)

Hugs,

Anna

In Reply to: HELP WITH HIVES posted by meg on August 09, 2009 at 07:56:50:

Just to let you know I've had hives and a few bizarre rashes over the years. Never knew what caused them as they were so random. You'll be glad to know they just disappear and have no serious repercussions....

Perhaps you have an allergy to something? We all have those and they can come and go.

Let us know how you are doing!

And, for what it is worth, some folks believe there may be a metaphor to any illness or symptom. For example, in this case, you can ask, "What am I itching to do?" or "What is getting under my skin?" or "What is irritating me?" and so on. Just food for thought if that sort of thing sounds intriguing!

Be well,
Pat

In Reply to: HELP WITH HIVES posted by meg on August 09, 2009 at 07:56:50:

Sorry I can't help, I don't have any advice to offer. I know that my grandmother had hives a few times and she was very uncomfortable. I hope someone who has information can help. Sending healing thoughts, Judy