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Elizabeth Anderson Responds:

Thanks for your question. It sounds like this is a very problematic rash. While there is, of course, no way to make a firm diagnosis without seeing the rash I am very suspicious of chronic urticaria (sometimes called hives). While hives are typically transient, in some cases they may become chronic. Urticaria can have many causes, most commonly foods, medicines (including OTC medicines), chronic infections, and internal diseases. Most cases, however, are idiopathic (ie without a known cause). The main diagnostic criteria for urticaria is that each individual lesion lasts less than 24 hours. Urticaria will usually respond to oral antihistamines (Benadryl), avoidance of triggers, and only in severe cases prednisone. I would recommend you come in for an examination, possible biopsy, and testing.

-Dr. Anderson

Answer Published on 10/9/2009 at 4:55 AM