Question: Hi-

I’m a 44 year old female. I have had what I think is hives for about 9 days. They start as small red dots and by the end of the day, they have turned into larger welts. They last about a day to 2 days, but don’t really itch until the welts start to go away and even then, the itching isn’t horrible. It has been around both armpits, under one of my breasts and along the left side of my waist.

After about a week, the larger area by my waist faded away and then I saw a couple of little red dots. They came back again.

The rash doesn’t have any blisters, scaly feel to it or any rough patches. The skin stays smooth and when it goes away, my skin goes back to normal.

I’ve had hives a kid, but those were skin colored welts and extremely itchy. I went to the doctor, they gave me a shot and the itching and hives disappeared within an hour.

I work with brass, copper, nickel and ferric chloride, I have pets (dogs, cats, and farm animals). The dogs and cats are allowed on my bed and couch. I’ve never had allergic reactions to them or the metal.

Before I got hives, I have been feeling very sleepy throughout the day and sometimes needing to take “power naps”. I work at home and long hours on the computer and hands on work with the metal.

The only medication I took prior to the rash was the occasional ibuprofen. I also started my period about a week after I had this rash.

I started to take 2 generic benadryl 2x a day and then stopped because it was making me feel too sleepy and not myself. I take an allegra in the morning and another at night and then 2 benadryl before I go to bed. I think it helps a little with the itch, but the rash is still there.

I’ve attached photos of what it looks like a day apart and then a few more during the same day. Are these hives? Is it bad enough to go see a doctor or will it just go away on its own?

Thank you!

Thank you very much for your speedy reply!

I will try the Cetrizine and if that doesn't work will make an appointment with the doctor.