Hives, Feet Red And Itching After Hot Shower. Is It Treatable?
5 ft 9.5
125 lbs
Type 1 Diabetes
Asthma
Allergy to Dairy, Penicillin, Sulfa
Several months ago before the summer, I met with a pulmonologist and was diagnosed with pneumonia. Given my diabetes, the doctor advised Avelox for treatment. Being afraid of taking a relatively potent drug, I tried Zithromax first. After three days of suggested use, I began developing itchy, raised hives over my legs and arms. My cough also wasn't subsiding so I decided to switch to Avelox. I do not remember exactly how long I treated myself with Avelox, but after what seemed like a week, my pneumonia was more or less gone. I felt much better. Hives continued throughout the week when I was using Avelox, but I thought it was the residue from the Zithromax rather than from the Avelox.
Here I am, six months later. The pneumonia is long gone, but unfortunately the hives keep coming back. Since the day I noticed it after taking Zithromax, the hives have been coming back sporadically and I can't seem to identify the source. After I take a warm~hot shower, my feet get red and I feel them itching. I also get hives after wearing warm clothing or long-sleeve shirts for prolonged periods of time. In other words, the hives seem to arrive upon exposure to heat. I never had this before! Sometimes, the hives arrive after I eat some food. I ate an XXXXXXX the other day and got the hives half an hour later.
What is going on? Why am I getting hives? Is it treatable? Any guidance greatly appreciated!
Thanks for posting your query.
Getting hives repeatedly specially on exposure to heat is suggestive of allergy and cholinergic urticaria.
It is characterised by a hypersensitive response in the skin as a result of the body increase in temperature (passively or actively), or the release of sweat.
Some common treatments include taking antihistamines (such a Allegra, Zyrtec, or stronger ones), avoiding known triggers (such as hot weather, physical activity, and spicy foods), corticosteriods (only for extreme cases), anabolic steroids, UVB therapy, sweat/exercise therapy, diet changes (such as avoiding known trigger foods), and more.
You can get the appropriate drugs prescribed from your dermatologist.
I hope this answers your query effectively. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal