Hives

I have been getting very itchy, raised hives almost daily for about 9 months now.

When it first started we had just moved offices at work, and I thought maybe it was drywall dust in the new space or something similar that I was allergic to, because I was getting them mostly on my arms and hands.

But then I started getting them TERRIBLY on my back. Even before I have touched them it looks as if someone has scratched all over my back (they look just like raised scratch marks)

So now I'm thinking it must be a food allergy or something but I haven't felt like going to my Dr about it because I know it's not going to be a quick and easy answer.

I already had blood tests done for hormonal issues earlier last year and she said everything was normal (which I still have a very hard time believing) so if it were a thyroid issue or something similar you think she would have caught that?

I didn't get them for a few weeks and then now for the past week I've gotten them everyday. And now i get them all over in various places - even on my lip and the bottom of my foot. They're really uncomfortable. :/

I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced this?
What did it end up being?

Also numerous people have said they could be stress induced.

I have always gotten "hives" on my chest when I'm stressed out - but they were never raised or particularly itchy - mostly just blotchy and red.

I haven't noticed these hives I'm getting now to coincide with any specific stress or anxiety but maybe it's from internalizing?

New office chair?

Just going for the obvious, first.

Yes to the new office chair...but I don't think that's it because they happen a lot at night when I'm at home.

Also, no I haven't been to dermatologist

But I guess that might be worth a shot. ..at least they could rule out a skin irritant

I did do a little googling and I'm praying it's not a gluten intolerance :\

I don't want to be one of those people

Are you sure its hives? Have you changed laundry detergent? Does you water smell like chlorine.

Drywall dust is drying the dust will irritate you skin because of the lime in the gypsum but I doubt that is causing it.

I would go see a dermatologist as suggested already.

No, haven't changed soaps or detergent...idk about the water. I've lived somewhere where the water was over treated and my eyes would even burn if I was in the shower too long, but I haven't experienced any of that where I'm at now.

I really don't think it's a skin irritant anymore because it happens so randomly in all types of environments. But a dermatologist could definitely rule it out for me so I can move on to a solution.

You need to see a dermatologist and maybe see an allergist (whatever they're called). They can do allergy tests and figure out wtf is going on.

Gluten intolerance? No. I'd be surprised if that were the case. :/

WHAT IF YOU'RE ALLERGIC TO YOUR OWN SWEAT?? :o

Also, are you on birth control?

No not on birth control. I was from the time I was about 16 or 17 til I was 21

I finally went to the allergist....I have CIU (chronic hives)

They don't know why. It's kind of like an auto immune thing.

I'm not allergic to anything...I'm allergic to myself basically...and things touching me.

I'm trying anti histamines twice a day for a couple weeks to see if it helps at all...my next option is getting a shot of xolair once a month but we'll see what happens !