The First Signs of Urticaria or Hives

The sound of fingernails scratching across skin woke me up. To my great distress it was me doing the scratching. I jumped up and went to a mirror. Yes, a bumpy red rash was forming across my upper torso, along with the insatiable, mind-numbing itching.

By noon, the rash covered my abdomen and the back of my scalp. The itching was so intense I couldn't stop scratching though it wasn't helping at all, just making things worse. Red welts were appearing everywhere.

I called my primary care physician who was out of the office until Monday. No luck there, so I looked online searching for pictures of my symptoms on WebMD. Several articles later, I still had no answers so I headed for Wal-Mart. The pharmacist kindly steered me away from one lotion I had chosen and recommended Benadryl "Itch Stopping" cream.

The next morning, with the tube of Benadryl nearly gone, I was rapidly becoming a basket case from the constant itching, scratching, lack of sleep and worry over whether I had measles, bed bugs or something worse. I tried to imagine what caused this, perhaps walking through a field of poison ivy or dipping myself in a vat of itching powder or eating Sushi. Nope, none of the above.

By noon, I was beyond my limit so I looked up the nearest CVS Minute Clinic. Aha, there would be my salvation. I headed into town scratching my way across the miles.

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After filling out the information at the kiosk and waiting for my turn at the back of the drug store, I tried not to embarrass myself further by my scratching like a dog with 10,000 fleas. Soon enough the mysterious door opened and I was ushered into a small room where a Nurse Practitioner took my blood pressure (elevated) and my temperature (slightly above normal).

I explained my symptoms and watched for her reaction when I revealed a patchwork of red itchy bumps now enhanced by my long and dutiful fingernails. True to her call to professionalism, she didn't flinch. She immediately referred me to the Care Facility across the street explaining that I needed a cortisone shot which she could not administer. She didn't charge me for the advice or the visit which took about 2 minutes.

At the new clinic, there was more paperwork to fill out. While I was writing out my medical history, a small child emerged from the depths of the clinic. His wailing and tears told the whole story. I recognized the doctor who was speaking abruptly to the child's mother, as the same guy that gave me my flu shot last year. I had vowed never to return following his rough 10 second shot which left a huge welt on my arm for 2 weeks. The name on the building had changed but the same people were on staff. So I ripped up my forms, collected my ID cards and left the building.

I walked back across Highway 78 and returned to CVS where my ride waited patiently outside the closed door of the Minute Clinic. We returned home with no solution while I scratched madly on more body parts.

Fast forward to Sunday morning after another sleepless night. By now I'm at the point of hysteria; I've been unable to eat or sleep for two days and the itching has intensified to the point where I feel like screaming. I had hoped to hold out and wait for my family physician to return. But no, there was absolutely no way I could hold out another 24 hours.

After more web searching, I found a Care Now Facility a mere 16.2 miles away and off we went. I was pleased to see other people in the clinic which was clean and modern and even had a movie playing on a big screen TV starring "The Rock". Mmmm Eye Candy, scratch, scratch, itch itch. I refrained myself the best I could from scratching the welts that have now taken over my arms, legs, ears and neck.

After a little waiting and a happy ending to the movie, I was called into the back where another Nurse Practitioner asked me the same old questions as I scratched my answers out to her. Within moments I was diagnosed with Hives or Urticaria which are red bumps on the skin that usually itch. (No JOKE). After administration of a Decadron, 8MG injection, I received a patient instruction sheet which detailed my condition.

What Causes Hives? "The hives of short duration are sometimes caused by foods, insect bites, medicines or some other substances." (Really? That narrows it down, not.) Drugs and infections are common causes in children. In chronic urticaria, we are unable to find the cause in most cases. Stress and anxiety or other emotional factors are felt to play a major role in some chronic types. Pollens that are inhaled and parasite or some infestation may also be involved. There is also a type of hives . . which is known to be triggered by heat, emotions, exercise or cold."

Here it is Tuesday morning and I'm still itching, although the spread of red bumps has slowed down the intense itching remains. The prescription was for Atarax aka Hydroxyzine HCL 25 MG which does slow down the intensity of the itch, but so far, no cure.

The clinic said the hives will eventually disappear on their own, that skin testing is rarely helpful and to avoid scratching as this will make the itch start to feel worse. Really? Thanks. As my typing is yet again interrupted by an avalanche of intense scratching I'll stop here and head for the bottle of anti-itch pills.

On a happier note, I'm somewhat better today although the spots are not completely gone. Towards the time when another pill is due, the itching increases and I begin to notice the scratching becomes automatic and rampant. I haven't found what may be triggering the rash although I've eliminated everything I can think of that may be the cause.

Ok, Uncle. I give in and head directly to the office of my Primary Care Physician who knows what to do in an instant. Five minutes later I have a prescription for a steroid pill which I take to the original pharmacy where I started off. Within minutes the itching has stopped and I feel like a kid again, thanks to the steroid. Okay, maybe I feel like a middle aged person again.

Ahhhh. Yes, blessed relief. Thank You.