Itching/Hives Options

[christinalee]

I was reading through the posts and noticed this subject was posed fairly recently by SharonLH.  For about 6 mos. now I have the most annoying and frustrating itching all over my body, except my face.  When I scratch, I get terrible hives, which fade within about 30 minutes or so.  The itching is driving my crazy, as I can't seem to relate them to anything.  I am wondering if it is related to estrogen or progesterone imbalances?  I've heard these hives can mysteriously stop as quickly as they came on.  Can anyone reassure me that they are meno related?  I have many of the typical other symptoms, including irregular periods, hot flashes at night, anxiety (really bad), palpitations, etc. etc.  'thanks for any insight you can provide!

Itching in CA

[Kalanie]

Hi Christinalee...  From what I have learned at this site, this could be a meno-related symptom, but it could also be just a plain old allergy.  I have had hayfever and hives for most of my life, and that is the exact reaction I get.  And, yes, hives can appear and disappear quickly.... with myself, they usually appear after continuous scratching at the original itchy feeling.  They are the result of your body releasing histimines to irritants.  I have been able to control my hayfever somewhat for the past few years with Zyrtec. I see you are in California... I am from there, but am living in the Seattle area right now, and the allergy season is in full swing here.  A visit to a dermatologist, if for nothing more than to "rule out" an allergy, might be helpful.  

[Snowbird]

Christina, Hi!!

Gosh Sakes, hon!! Sounds like you're having a nasty time with this!! I hate hives...iching...rashes, etc.,etc. "Had them all!!"

It could very well be allergies!! Sounds like it to me!! As Kalanie suggested....a visit to the doctor wouldn't hurt!!

The only time my hives became an issue was when the HRT....Provera and Premarin started to give me problems!!  It turned out my system had become sensitive to most hormone type supplements!!  Then again....I'm a complicated gal....with complicated problems!! :biggrin:

It's realy hard to say, just how menopause could be the cause, etc.,etc!! It wasn't the fact that there was a hormonal imbalance that triggered hives, (with me)....it was the METHOD I used to balance the hormone fluctuations!!

Soooooo....having said that....Yep...I think it's allergies...and you may never realy know!! It can be very frustrating!! However a little trip to the doc...is a good idea to rule out or even pin point the cause in a

Take care and Godspeed!!

((((((((((Hugs from Snowy))))))))))                    Nancy

[jeanne]

It really does sound like allergies to me too. I also have allergies. Have you tried taking any antihistimines while all this is going on ? (Benedryl , or the generic brands) It sounds like the culprit might be a contact allergy. Try using only frangrance and dye free detergents, bath soaps, and no perfumes or lotions for a week or two and see if that helps. I am allergic to dyes an fragrances and can wake yp ithching all over if I don't use the stuff that says "Free" on the container. That's a place to start, I think. Hope this helps , hugs ,jeanne

[HSpec]

For almost a year now I have had the same problem. Went to the dermatologist, had all kinds of tests-all negative. Use all the fragrance free stuff-always have. For my entire life I have had very sensitive skin. This year with the start of perimen the dry itchy rashy skin has increased. I use moisturizer just to try to keep it from getting totally out of whack. I am dreading this winter. Any one have any further suggestions? H

[NancyV]

Hspec,

Dry itching skin can be helped with l T. of flaxseed oil a day.   I would think dry skin gets irritated more easily.

At least this is what helped my dry skin.

I got hives once when I tried bee pollen....it was pretty obvious what that was.

But the regular dry itchy skin did get worse in the start of perimenopause....including dry eyes.

Just an idea....

[jeanne]

Hi Hspec,Only other thing I have heard is to drink lots and lots of water. I also have dry skin and live in low humidity area so have a problem with that too. I also lather on the moisturizer. Also don't take a shower everyday as that washes away the oils, that is what my doc says anyway. Just stay stinky? :biggrin: Actually that did help a bit. hugs , jeanne

[HSpec]

NancyV and Jeanne, thanks for the feedback. I will try the flaxseed oil and drinking more water. The shower scenario is another story. Living in NYC does require a daily washing. I do love living here but the grime of the subway and the streets is another story. Hope all is well with you guys.H

[jeanne]

Hmm I lived in NYC. Never mind the shower idea LOLhugs, jeanne

[Nancy B]

Suddenly, I have rashes,  itching at the back of one leg, on my back, inside of my thigh.  I was going out of my mind.  My GP said it was a heat rash, then ring worm!  He gave me antibiotics but nothing helped.  So I went to a dermotologist.  She put me on more antibotics for one week and various kinds of steriod creams.  She advised me to take Reactin during the day and Benadryl at night for the itching.  I am to have a follow up appointment in a month.  Is all this due to menopause?  A friend of mine who is  a nurse said so.  All I know is that I am very uncomfortable!

Any other ideas?  

Nancy B

[jeanne]

Hi NancyB,Having been an allergic person from birth, my first thought ,Nancy , is allergy to maybe some bath soap, washing detergent, even bleach. I can't use most of those. I use fragrance and color free products, no perfumes, glycerine soap for bathing, and never can use bleach. Something  to consider I think,Hope you are an itchfree person soon I really hate itching!!!hugs, jeanne

[Nancy B]

Dear Jeanne:

This itching and these ugly bumps really came on so suddenly.  My bath soap is the same I have used for ages; unscented and for sensitive skin.  The detergents and bleach I use is also no different than from before.  

Could it be stress related?  Hormonal?

Thanks.

NancyB

[Kalanie]

Hi Nancy...  

It really sounds like an allergy to me also.  Like Jeanne, I have had many allergic reactions to alot of things in my life, too, and long before meno.  And, just because you have been using a product for many years without reactions doesn't mean that can't change-- it can and often does.  

You didn't describe the bumps that suddenly appear...  hives can develop with the itching from allergies.  They will often look like welts, raised and reddish, and can often get kind of big.  If, however, you are talking about very tiny bumps that sort of cluster, that does seem like the bumps that can come with a heat rash, although it could also be from an allergic reaction of sorts.  I have hayfever, and when it gets going, I can have itching similar to what you describe at various sites on my body.  If it gets bad enough, I will also get hives.

Did you know that they can draw blood and test for abnormally high readings?  I have forgotten exactly what they check, but they did that to me once when I got itching and rashes that they suspected was an allergic reaction to Lipitor, which it turned out to be.  

If you are having an allergic reaction, you could also ask about a prescription for Claritin or Zyrtec, which might clear it up if it is an allergy.   It probably wouldn't hurt anything to try that, and may help.  

[jeanne]

Yes Nancy it could be from stress and hormones , but before you rule out allergies.....I became allergic to all these different  scents and chemicals in the last 2 years. Before that it was mainly foods. My doctor told me that a person with allergies can suddenly become sensitive to things they have been using for years.For example - I have been using Dawn liquid detergent forever it seems. Now if I put my hands in it, I have the worst rash almost instantly. Like I said , it was just a thought , but maybe cortisone cream could be tried? It stops the itching if it is allergy related . You can buy it at any drugstore and it might do the trick. Only thing that stops my itching. Sorry to nag about this , I really can be a nuisance at times :biggrin:hugs , jeanne

[maureend]

Nancy, I had the same problem last fall. I would break out all over the place. I had trouble wearing anything around my neck or tight around my waist.Mine got worse on the bc pill--which was to regulate my periods. I stopped the pill and the only thing that helped was flaxseed oil.  You can buy it in the health food store. I put 1 tbsp. in my oatmeal every morning.I  also worked very hard to lower my anxiety level. Every time I started to itch and get red I would panic.Good luck to you-- it will get better.Also, I think Bcomplex is supposed  to be good for itchy skin.

[SylvryMoon]

Hi Nancy,Try some body oil (unscented!) after each bath or shower - dryness causes itchiness and redness.  I used to use body oil religiously in the winter - now that I am peri-menopausal, I find I need it on the hottest summer days, too!  Neutrogena is a good one, also Jafra Royal Almond Body Oil is fabulous, soothing, and although scented with almond, I haven't had any problems.

Good luck!

[christinalee]

First, I'd like to thank Kalanie, Snowbird, and Jeanne for their responses!  It's nice to know there are people out there who care and respond.  I really don't think my itching/hives are related to allergies because I've never had allergies to anything.  I, too, get more anxious when I have the itching and hives and still wonder if it is hormone related.  It could be stress, too, I think, I've always been stressed by things at work to the extent that I get panic/anxiety attacks that have been worse since i've been in the peri stage.  I will mention the itching/hives next time I see my dr.  I take Benadryl at night which sometimes helps, but it really knocks me out.  I also get upset because I read on the net the itching can be caused by a host of other serious illnesses, such as lupus, or some kinds of lymphomas.  My overactive imagination gets going again.

Again, thanks so much for your responses, and I'll continue to eliminate possible allergans from my environment!

christinalee

[Nina Bellanti]

i too have developed a hiving sensation this year. My face kind of gets numb but just the sensation of numbness then it gets hot and then burns and itches. but i dont get welts all the time. I was tested for allergies and they cant find much so unless im allergic to some chemical i dont think its allergies. I do know when im more stressed out it is worse. anyone else get this weird sensation?

[Crow]

Hi christinalee,I too have been bothered by itching, but no hives.  After suffering with this symptom for 3 years, I KNOW that it is hormonally related!  I take diphenhydramine (generic Benadryl).  It makes me sleepy but the itching stops.  I have been using an estrogen / progesterone gel once per day since May 2001.  Now I have bad itching about once a month.  When I was using other forms of HRT, I had itching spells much more frequently.  Good luck to you.      

[Joannaran]

Also have the itchies, I joke with my husband it's HIM - it started within months of us getting married!  It's a daily thing, pretty severe, I notice more and more of it every year.  I can't say I've ever found much that works, but I have learned to stay away from perfume, there are only two I can use, I RUN from women at parties, ha, either that or I'll have a headache and get queasy within about 5 minutes!  I have also been told you can become allergic to anything literally overnight, even things you'd never suspect and have been in contact with forever.  Good luck, the itchies are just awful.  

[lulu]

under side effects of premphase:  "...check w/your doctor as soon as possible if  you experience...rash, itching..."

[sweetface]

Sweetface here, I have always had sensitive skin, from a small child in Calif. to now. But what I'm experiencing now is different. I have bumples on my back. And also a little bit on my neck. I never had that until I was post meno. My bumples itch terrible. I'm always asking my husband to scratch my back please.I think it's a form of heat rash from sweating from hot flashes at night. I could be wrong but it makes since to me. Also could be mixed with no hormones in ones body. Eeeeeek! Hope we all get over these itchies soon!Take care all!Sweetface(with bumples)

[AtinaLee]

Hi All! I just joined thig group today. A friend told me about this site and that you had a topic on itching. I am an expert on this. LOL!

This is my story. I am 54 and have been in perimenopause now for 4 years. I now have gone 95 days without a period so I think I am getting closer to menopause. I have suffered from terrible itching for the past 4 years. It seems to get the worse in the winter when the heat goes on. In the summer I get it occasionally but not as bad as this. Right now it has been at the worse. I get the itching primarily on my feet and yes I get hives and I scratch so much. I know this makes it worse but I can't help myself. I use Eucerin, Baby oil, and olive oil. I find these are the best. I also don't bath as much and when I do I use cold water. I also use Cetaphil instead of soap.I have been taking O/C antihistamines and I have a catch 22 situation. They really stuff me up and then I get awful sinus headaches. Right now I am coming off a week of headaches so I haven't taken any anthistamines.

I do believe this is menopause and not an allergy. But I am going to check that out. I use to have hay fever but haven't suffered for many years now with that. I recently found out about a allergy test called ImmunoCap that has a 98% accurate reading on what you are allergic to. My doctor is going to get this test for me. You can read about this at ***

I am just going to rule some things out but I think it is hormones. I also had a blood test recently that said I was very low on estradiol, estrone and progesterone but still had some. But what was strange it said I practically had no estriol which is associated with the skin.

I also have been taking compounding estriol at 6mg. every day and progesterone at 225 mg. This just got increased due to this blood test. But I still suffer so. I suffer mostly at night. During the day I can manage pretty well.

It also seems to be associated with foods. ASfter I eat I can start itching een if it is just water. I thought it was an acid problem but if I take any acid meds I itch more. This is so weird.

It is so great to have found this board. I can relate to all of you.

I am going to try that flax oil and B complex. My skin is just so dry.

Anyone can email me if they want to. I believe they show your email here right?

Thanks for listening.

Anita

*** (Board Administrator Note: commercial URL has been removed -- if you wish more information please email the poster)

[sweetface]

Anita,  I think you are right in thinking that it is hormonalbecause some days I'm ok and don't itch. And other days I just itch with a passion. I always have these little bumps on my back though. It's just some times they itch and sometimes they don't. And I think when my hormones are going nuts then I'll itch. It's hard to know really, but if you find a solution, please post it for us.Take Care,Sweetface

[AtinaLee]

For Sweetface: Thanks for your reply. It sound hormonal to me. I know your hormones go up and down. Every day they are different. I really do think this is hormonal. Sorry you have to go through this. I don't wish this on anyone.

One thing I forgot to mention was when I was on birth control pills many years ago I had a similar situation. When I went off them I broker out in bumps all over my body. Never did figure out what it was but I just looked up some dates recently and think I can relate it to the birth control pills. I was getting more hormones and then when I went off them my body reacted. Just like it is now. It took 6 weeks to get over the itching. I had to take a cortisone cream and take atarax. In fact I am going to try some atarax again as soon as I knock these headaches. My doctor said I should try that.

One thing I do know is to keep where you itch very moisterized. I just can't get over how dry the skin is.

I thought this was a thyroid problem but I just had thyroid tests and everything is fine. I am on a low dose of synthroid.

I sure wish I could find an answer. If I ever do I'll post it of course. I just wonder how long this will last?

Good Luck!

Anita

[AtinaLee]

For Sweetface! Thanks for your letter here.

I agree it is hormonal. Another thing happened to me many years ago. When I was on birth control plls and then went off them I broker out in rashes. It took 6 weeks to get rid of the itching. The same thing is happening now but longer of course. I was given Atarax and cortiosone cream at that time.

I sure would like to know when this will end?

Of coures if I ever figure anything out I'll let you all know.

Hang in there. We are all in this together.

Anita

[wildflowers]

i've not had this yet...but years ago..our daughter was bitten by mosquitoes..she's really sensitive to them..the dr. then said to try a product called (OTC) Itch EX..its in a bright yellow tube with a red circle with a line thru it..a clear get..it really stopped the itch..stings a little then goes away..i still have that tube..it still works..maybe if you try it one one or 2 itch spots and see..got it at Walgreens..the Doc. was a firm believer in this product...best dr. i ever had..but he passed on several yrs. ago...

[AtinaLee]

For Widflowers. Thanks for the tip on the Itch EX. I will see if I can find it. I don't have a Waldbaum's here. I have tried many OTC itch stuff and nothing really works. The Gold Bond really burned me and I couldn't handle that. I find the bes thing is to keep it moisterized with Eucerin. Then I put my feet in ice water a lot to get relief. I think this is different than mosquito bites because it is hormonal. But I will look for this. I'm willing to try anything at this point.When I get bad mosquito bites Iput on desenex cream. That really stops the itching but not for what I have now.

Thanks,

Anita

[wildflowers]

Atinalee..good luck on the itching..i thought maybe if you got a hive you good try just one spot..and see..you've probably tried the aveeno oatmeal baths?  just to calm down the skin..maybe, from the itching you're doing to the skin.., although you can buy a generic aveeno..store brand..works equally as well ..for me anyway..i used to use it years ago..just for skin...

[sweetface]

Anita, I've also tried the cortisone cream. It helped alittle, but I found that good ol bactine helps me. At least it calms the itching down so I don't scratch myself to death! For some reason just yesterday my bumps started disapearing, like they're drying up. Who knows why.....I won't ask either......Taboo.....Good luck on finding something that helps you.Sweetface