Question: My skin has recently have been experiencing mild to moderate and relatively sporadic allergic reactions. The reaction/symptoms are relatively short in duration ranging from 15 min - 90 min depending on my level of self control not to irritate it (once area is irritated symptoms obviously get exponentially worse but will virtually disappear if left alone). Symptoms include Hive like red wheals on skin, but most of all moderate to severe itching of the affected area Note: severe is a strong descriptor but I have, on one occasion had to control minor convulsing of my body as it tries to compensate such an intense sensation and urge to scratch . These sporadic reactions have been coming on and off for ~7-10 days. I have taken steps to discontinue use of new products (detergents, shampoos, etc) incrementally to narrow down possible causes, *however i have noticed that the reaction and symptoms primarily begin if I initiate the first physical scratching of a mildly itchy area. This includes direct skin-skin contact as well as non skin-skin ( through clothes) as well as scalp through the hair. Approx 1-2 minutes after the physical action of scratching the symptoms follow (though the symptoms have appeared without any physical initiation to cause irritation). ** Another noticeable and peculiar symptom is the on set of redness, swelling, irritation/severe itch patterned in direct resemblance to the contours and direction of my fingers (nails) very similar to a"Cat Scratch Fever" appearance where irritation and mild reaction of the skin is caused by a the abrasion from a cat's claws. I have yet to find any new products or materials that I have began using in the past 7-10 days I can attribute any direct cause to. ***Note: the symptoms first appeared while i was out of country in the Dominican Republic. Staying in a beach resort for vacation conditions of my stay were what i consider above average (cleanliness etc). I initially attributed the symptoms to overexposure to sunlight and possible sand irritation but since I have been back from my trip since sunday I can't figure out what may be the cause. Thanks for your help

I appreciate the information, ive actually been taking a loratadine based anti-histamine to treat the symptoms on a per need basis. As i know allergies can develop during adulthood without warning ive been allergy free for the most part excluding common seasonal irritations, is it common for allergens to remain active in the body for such a long period of time ?