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Suggest Remedy For Dizziness And Fatigue While Having Itchy Welts On Body

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Posted on Sat, 16 Jan 2016
Question: I have itchy, hot welts on my body in hot, red areas of skin. Started at pit of one knee (day 1); next morning top of opposite foot, then scalp above ear. Later that day itchy welts at other temple in scalp on both hips, and then inner thighs, next other knee pit, over about 24 hours (day 2). No new washing detergent, no new clothes, didn't change sheets, Antihistimine had no real effect. Today (day 3) I feel low energy and a little dizzy. No fever. Does not look like bites. Have not slept anywhere else in months. Any clues? I had shingles about two years ago; it was nothing like this. This is not painful, just crazy itchy.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Hives

Detailed Answer:
Well this sounds perfectly miserable. I have had hives myself so I know first hand what this is like.

Hives is an immunological reaction that can be started by many causes - everything from food coloring, herbal supplements or medications, food reactions (common ones are shellfish and peanuts or nuts) and even autoimmune disorders such as problems with the thyroid. A recent viral infection can do it too. So it may take some sleuthing.

Now - what to do about it:

A regular dose of antihistamine is unlikely to help much. For histamine problems involving the skin, 3-4 times the regular dose is typically used. Zyrtec (ceterizine) is a good one for histamine skin problems like urticaria (hives).

In addition to a higher dose of antihistamine (which are H1 receptor blockers), you may also want to add an H2 receptor blocker as some (although a smaller number) of the histamine receptors in the skin are of this type (most H2 receptors are in the stomach). Zantac (ranitidine) is a good H2 blocker. You can get this without prescription and take up to 300 mg/day. Beyond that dose it doesn't help much.

Singulair (montelukast) is a different type of anti-inflammatory-mediator allergic response medicine, but usually doesn't provide nearly as much help as the antihistamines. It is only be prescription. I would only add this one on if the hives continue unabated for a long time.

BUT, if these do not start significantly helping the hives quickly (within a day) then you may want to go to a doctor who will likely give you a short course of corticosteroid (prednisone or solumedrol) to shut your immune reaction down. Steroids do have significant side effects, but long term concerns are not an issue when taking a short course (7 - 14 days).

I am wondering - did you recently start the Immune Defense tincture? Does it contain mushrooms? Sometimes these sorts of things (immune defense supplements) can stimulate the immune system in ways we don't want in some people.

I hope this information helps and that you are soon better. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.

Also, if you would like me specifically, to respond to future questions you may have, you can write my name at the beginning of the first line of your question.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Dizziness And Fatigue While Having Itchy Welts On Body

Brief Answer: Hives Detailed Answer: Well this sounds perfectly miserable. I have had hives myself so I know first hand what this is like. Hives is an immunological reaction that can be started by many causes - everything from food coloring, herbal supplements or medications, food reactions (common ones are shellfish and peanuts or nuts) and even autoimmune disorders such as problems with the thyroid. A recent viral infection can do it too. So it may take some sleuthing. Now - what to do about it: A regular dose of antihistamine is unlikely to help much. For histamine problems involving the skin, 3-4 times the regular dose is typically used. Zyrtec (ceterizine) is a good one for histamine skin problems like urticaria (hives). In addition to a higher dose of antihistamine (which are H1 receptor blockers), you may also want to add an H2 receptor blocker as some (although a smaller number) of the histamine receptors in the skin are of this type (most H2 receptors are in the stomach). Zantac (ranitidine) is a good H2 blocker. You can get this without prescription and take up to 300 mg/day. Beyond that dose it doesn't help much. Singulair (montelukast) is a different type of anti-inflammatory-mediator allergic response medicine, but usually doesn't provide nearly as much help as the antihistamines. It is only be prescription. I would only add this one on if the hives continue unabated for a long time. BUT, if these do not start significantly helping the hives quickly (within a day) then you may want to go to a doctor who will likely give you a short course of corticosteroid (prednisone or solumedrol) to shut your immune reaction down. Steroids do have significant side effects, but long term concerns are not an issue when taking a short course (7 - 14 days). I am wondering - did you recently start the Immune Defense tincture? Does it contain mushrooms? Sometimes these sorts of things (immune defense supplements) can stimulate the immune system in ways we don't want in some people. I hope this information helps and that you are soon better. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification. Also, if you would like me specifically, to respond to future questions you may have, you can write my name at the beginning of the first line of your question.