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What Causes Welts On Hands And Lower Legs?

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Posted on Wed, 14 Oct 2015
Question: I woke up with welts on the tops of my hands . And I also have welts appearing down the outside of my thighs and along my underwear line on my thighs . I can't think of anything I have eaten that has been different . I did fly this past weekend on Saturday and Sunday is when I woke up with these welts . It looks like welts with no specific pattern.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Hives

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns

You woke up yesterday with welts on your hands and lower legs. From your description this is something called idiopathic urticaria or hives. When we say idiopathic we mean we have no clue as to the cause of the hives. In most cases we don't find the offending agent that is causing the reaction. the most common causes of reactions are from food including peanuts and seafood. I would recommend reviewing your diet for the past 2-3 days and see if anything there would cause your reaction. You could see an allergist who can do skin testing to determine the cause of your allergy. Even with allergy testing we may not find your specific allergy.

I would recommend using an antihistamine like allegra or claritin to help reduce the hives and reduce the itching. If that does not help you may need to be seen by your medical provider for an injection. If you develop any difficulty breathing then you need to be seen immediately as you could be having prophylaxis.

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any further questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (32 minutes later)
Thanks Dr. Schubert. Sounds like what I thought. I am using Calamine lotion and taking benadryl. Is this ok? How long does this usually last? Is there anything I can do anything to facilitate healing?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
urticaria lasts 1-2 days

Detailed Answer:
Your welcome and I hope you get better soon. Usually hives will last 1-2 days only. You can use benadryl but my patients usually get too tired or sedated with it. I usually recommend that claritin, allegra or zyrtec to help reduce the hives.

There is very little else you can do. If the symptoms worsen then you may need to see your medical provider for steroids or an injection to help reduce the hives.

Thanks for using HCM with your health care concerns
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ronald Schubert

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 2407 Questions

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What Causes Welts On Hands And Lower Legs?

Brief Answer: Hives Detailed Answer: Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns You woke up yesterday with welts on your hands and lower legs. From your description this is something called idiopathic urticaria or hives. When we say idiopathic we mean we have no clue as to the cause of the hives. In most cases we don't find the offending agent that is causing the reaction. the most common causes of reactions are from food including peanuts and seafood. I would recommend reviewing your diet for the past 2-3 days and see if anything there would cause your reaction. You could see an allergist who can do skin testing to determine the cause of your allergy. Even with allergy testing we may not find your specific allergy. I would recommend using an antihistamine like allegra or claritin to help reduce the hives and reduce the itching. If that does not help you may need to be seen by your medical provider for an injection. If you develop any difficulty breathing then you need to be seen immediately as you could be having prophylaxis. I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any further questions