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What Causes Hives And Itching All Over The Body?
Hello Sir, I am suffering from hives since last two weeks. I have itching all over my body, most of the time on back, legs and arms with red patches and swelling with some welts on the skin. I consult to doctor and then they have given Atarax 10 mg, Cetzine medicines. Last 1 day back My doctor had given my blood test report in which all of the things was normal except ESR. My ESR 37 shows high little bit higher than normal. I was suffering from cold and cough and when these test has taken. Please consult me, what can be cause to get high ESR in my blood test report. How it can be controlled. Is this related to any cancer or This is to only due to allergy in my body as hives.
Thu, 19 Mar 2015
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I went through your history and would like to make suggestions for you as follows:
1. I would like to know more about your complaints like - a. did you have such hives in past? b. do you have any allergies? c. what was the cause of cough-cold? d. what is your hemoglobim level? e. do you have any digestive complaints? f. do you have any other medical conditions? g. do you take any medications regularly/frequently? h. what is your age? i. any weight loss, poor appetite, etc?
Above details would help me to know about your complaints better and therefore to make more specific suggestions for you. Also, there are many possible causes for hives. It is important to know more about your complaints before determining cause of hives and suggesting investigations.
2. For symptom control, I would agree with hydroxyzine (Atarax) and Cetirizine (Cetzine).
3. I would also suggest you to apple calamine lotion or moisturizing cream application over the itchy areas as well as dry skin.
4. Please do not scratch the itchy areas as scratching would aggravate itching.
5. As long as ESR is concerned, I would like to mention that ESR is very non-specific in general. There are so many possible causes of elevated ESR. Moreover, there is no specific treatment for elevated ESR, rather, treatment of the cause would normalize the ESR.
So please do not worry about ESR at present. ESR can be elevated simply because of anemia (low hemoglobin levels) as well.
6. For patients with hives for more than 6 weeks, I usually suggest my patients investigations like complete blood counts, ESR, CRP, thyroid functions, serum proteins, serum SGPT, serum total IgE levels, urine examination and stool examination. However, detailed history is necessary before suggesting investigations.
Hope above suggestions will be helpful to you.
Should you have any further query, please feel free to ask at HCM.
Wish you the best of the health ahead.
Thank you & Regards.
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I went through your history and would like to make suggestions for you as follows:
1. I would like to know more about your complaints like - a. did you have such hives in past? b. do you have any allergies? c. what was the cause of cough-cold? d. what is your hemoglobim level? e. do you have any digestive complaints? f. do you have any other medical conditions? g. do you take any medications regularly/frequently? h. what is your age? i. any weight loss, poor appetite, etc?
Above details would help me to know about your complaints better and therefore to make more specific suggestions for you. Also, there are many possible causes for hives. It is important to know more about your complaints before determining cause of hives and suggesting investigations.
2. For symptom control, I would agree with hydroxyzine (Atarax) and Cetirizine (Cetzine).
3. I would also suggest you to apple calamine lotion or moisturizing cream application over the itchy areas as well as dry skin.
4. Please do not scratch the itchy areas as scratching would aggravate itching.
5. As long as ESR is concerned, I would like to mention that ESR is very non-specific in general. There are so many possible causes of elevated ESR. Moreover, there is no specific treatment for elevated ESR, rather, treatment of the cause would normalize the ESR.
So please do not worry about ESR at present. ESR can be elevated simply because of anemia (low hemoglobin levels) as well.
6. For patients with hives for more than 6 weeks, I usually suggest my patients investigations like complete blood counts, ESR, CRP, thyroid functions, serum proteins, serum SGPT, serum total IgE levels, urine examination and stool examination. However, detailed history is necessary before suggesting investigations.
Hope above suggestions will be helpful to you.
Should you have any further query, please feel free to ask at HCM.
Wish you the best of the health ahead.
Thank you & Regards.
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Itchy rashes over skin or hives could be due to eczema,allergic hives,atopic dermatitis, tinea corporis etc.
The important thing is to diagnose first rather than treatment.
You can go to skin specialist for detailed history and inspection of rashes to have a clear diagnosis.
ESR is very sensitive test to detect any inflammation in body like infective (bacterial or viral) or allergic.In your case it might be due to cough,cold.It will come down to normal after the treatment.
For hives,you might require topical corticosteroid like beclomethasone, clobetasol or mometasome with antifungal cream like miconazole or itraconazole with antihistamines orally to reduce itching.
Some time oral antifungal once dosage with prednisolone are also effective.
So,you must consult dermatologist for further advise.
The important thing is to diagnose first rather than treatment.
You can go to skin specialist for detailed history and inspection of rashes to have a clear diagnosis.
ESR is very sensitive test to detect any inflammation in body like infective (bacterial or viral) or allergic.In your case it might be due to cough,cold.It will come down to normal after the treatment.
For hives,you might require topical corticosteroid like beclomethasone, clobetasol or mometasome with antifungal cream like miconazole or itraconazole with antihistamines orally to reduce itching.
Some time oral antifungal once dosage with prednisolone are also effective.
So,you must consult dermatologist for further advise.
I find this answer helpful
1 user finds this helpful
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
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