Hello,

I would be pleased to answer your question.

Your symptoms are suggestive of Acute Urticaria. This is usually caused by either intake of a new prescription drug like penicillin or an OTC drug like aspirin, systemic infection (either bacterial or viral), food additives, seafood or intestinal worms. The last is usually only of significance in children. Stress is also a major cause of an outbreak. Now about the drugs you are on - they are unlikely to be the culprit since you have been on them for so long.

Many times it is not possible to find out the cause, though the strawberries may be the cause. We do not recommend determining the cause unless symptoms are recurring, as most often episodes of acute urticaria are self limited within 4-6 weeks of onset of symptoms - it is not imperative to do so.

I understand your concern and your efforts to get off the rashes at the earliest, but sometimes these rashes may last for few weeks. I would suggest taking Tablet Claritin 10 mg once or twice a day for 2 weeks + calamine lotion over the affected areas. They might help you recover soon.

I would also recommend you the same medications whenever symptoms occur and seeing whether they recur on stopping the medicine after 2 weeks. If they do, restart treatment for another four weeks and then stop and see. If they still recur then you will require some blood tests and will need to see a doctor in person.

Please note that if you have any lip swelling or difficulty in breathing you should see doctor right away.

Hope this information is useful; please feel free to ask if you have any queries.

Thanks and take care

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