What Causes Itching At The Back Of My Hands Followed By Itching At The Arms And Abdomen?

Posted on Mon, 21 May 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 21 May 2018 Answered on

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : About 6 weeks ago, the back of my hands started to itch. Over the last several weeks, my arms and sometimes abdomen start to itch and I get hives or minor welts....usually go away after taking Benadryl. What could be causing this. No change in diet or laundry detergent.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Urticaria, its causes, start antihistaminic

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I have gone through your complaints and you seem to be having urticaria.
It is an allergic reaction which has many causes.
It could be due to infection in the blood, urine and stool; food and drug allergy, thyroid disorders and sometimes it occurs without any cause.
I will recommend you to take antihistaminic like tablet cetrizine 10 once day at bedtime for 10 days.
If the itching and hives persist even after 10 days consult a doctor and go for routine tests to find out the cause of hives.
Regards
Dr Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad