The Itchy and Scratchy Show

Day Three of the Attack of the Monster Hives... they've been coming and going as they please, these ridiculously large itchy welts I keep getting, with no apparent rhyme or reason. One appeared on my knee yesterday afternoon that, over the course of two hours, would spread to cover a full third of my leg before the swelling started to dissipate. 

[Much to my mother's dismay], I haven't gone to see a doctor yet. Our insurance doesn't kick in for another couple months, and we just don't have a hundred bucks just sitting around for me to hand to a doctor so he can tell me "more than eighty percent of the time, the cause of hives remains undetermined" and offer me prednisone (because that's exactly what an Irish-Italian woman with a pre-existing temper needs when she's already working really hard to keep the itching from driving her bonkers-- STEROIDS). 

I'm going to keep getting all the immune boosters I can, keep using the oatmeal bath, start taking some OTC diphenhydramine and hope my sanity outlasts my histamines...

Comments

[Erin-erin-bo-berin]

Okay. From one Irish-Italian mother to another - prednisone is not a STEROID. You won't look like Popeye after one or two doses, I'm almost certain.
Prednisone is a CORTICOSTEROID (close, but no cigar) that tells your overreacting immune system (which is freaking out and causing repetetive hives) : 'Enough with the swelling and the itching. OY!'

Personally, I'd stick with the Benedryl equivalent. I love you, my seester!

[ann]

Yea, I wouldn't go tot he doctor either. What do they know?

[J. Lo]

Erin, I guess you've never had corticosteroids injected in you. This is an interesting experience (don't do it).

Kelly, at least your neck isn't jerking :)

[Erin-erin-bo-berin]

Actually J. Lo, I'm allergic to lots of silly stuff. Certain metals (I have to flush the toilet at my own house with my stocking-clad foot), certain fragrances, even a basic component in commercial shampoo. I HAVE HAD A CORTICOSTEROID SHOT. I was six or seven at the time I developed severe hives and my mother took me to a clinic. I remember that the shot hurt like H-E-double-hockey sticks, that the medicine made me feel like I could chew through my own leg if I needed the sustenance, and I think I even told my sister, "Don't make me angry, Kelly. YOU WOULDN'T LIKE ME WHEN I'M ANGRY!"

I know what you mean when you typed 'DON'T DO IT!'?
I recommended sticking with the OTC Benadryl equivalent.

Just so you know where I'm coming from.

[Ami]

I'm sorry you still have them, but you don't need no stinking doctor! Run, don't walk, to get some sublingual B12 and add that to the mix. Also key is dealing with the root cause. If it is stress and now these are stressing you out too your hives are just going to get their own little baby hives and you might die.
Haha. Seriously, just Phil 4:4-6. I love you, you welted, itchy fallen being, you!