# These hives are making me angry! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 4, 2003, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085 "2003-05-04T22:54:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![hardygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@hardygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hardygrrl)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085/21 "2003-05-06T00:14:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crunchy Frog \* > \*\*First, thanks for all the advice but we’ve already looked at materials the clothes are made of… \*\* Did you tell the doctor about the latex suit? Or the Swan Lake costume? How about the Jar Jar Binks ensemble? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085/22 "2003-05-06T00:25:52Z")
**hardygrrl** , don’t you ever listen to what I say? For the LAST TIME it’s not a Swan Lake costume, I just happen to like dressing as waterfowl! ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085/23 "2003-05-06T00:57:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hardygrrl \* > \*\*How about the Jar Jar Binks ensemble? 😃 \*\* :eek: ☹ I thought he only wore that for me! WAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!! ::running away crying:: ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mermaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@The\_Mermaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mermaid)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085/24 "2003-05-06T01:14:28Z")
A nice cool bath with Aveeno or similar powdered oatmeal bath. And try to keep nice and cool. Hire a couple of virgins to fan you with those big feathered fans. (or maybe that’s not such a good idea after all . . … . .) ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085/25 "2003-05-06T02:22:46Z")
The hives do suck, and they itch, but I can offer up from personal experience that scratching is so not a good idea. Scratching opens up the individual hive welts and spreads histamine all over the body, creating more hives. No matter how nuts they make you, and they do make you nuts, that constant 24/7 itching all over every part of your body, don’t scratch them. The more you scratch, the more histamine you’re getting everywhere, the more they will itch. I’ve had this for over 2 years because of a hyperactive immune system, and found out that during the really bad periods the only relief I get is from a drug called Atarax. It’s not an antihistamine, it’s actually an anesthetic. When I’m not conscious, I don’t know I itch. You really should see a dermatologist and start eliminating possible allergens, avoid scratching and rubbing, cut down the hot water in showers and baths, and watch for when things are worst. In my case, I found out I have a steroid allergy which is what damaged my immune system and led to the whole problem. Every time I’d take steroids, I’d be fine for a day or two and then would have an even worse rebound, so it is possible for that allergen to be anywhere. Only other thing I can say is, I empathize. ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085/26 "2003-05-06T02:25:14Z")
**bobkitty** - I didn’t know she was watching my cam when I did that Jar Jar thing for you! It was all for you, sweetie, honest! (now see what you starting, **hardy**!) **Mermaid** - ok, aside from me asking why the hell I rarely see you online anymore, can’t I get some nice slutty chicks to fan me instead of virgins? Any nice slutty chicks willing to fan a bumpy itchy frog? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085/27 "2003-05-06T02:29:01Z")
I’m a slutty virgin-does that count? ---
**Author:** ![Payton\_s\_Servant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3da27b/32.png) [@Payton\_s\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Payton_s_Servant)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085/28 "2003-05-06T02:53:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crunchy Frog \* > \*\*Ok, first of all, with the title of this thread, everyone get the Seinfeld reference out of your systems. All together now… > “These pretzels are making me thirsty!” > > There, do we all feel better? Good. As I was saying: > > Fucking hives! Little red welts of demonic itch-itude! It started a couple months ago, I saw a doctor who informed me that the cause of hives can be very difficult to track down. Hives can last from 6-8 weeks and then go away, never knowing the cause. On the other hand, it’s not uncommon for hives to last more than a year, in some cases more than 20 years. All the while never knowing the cause. > > So my own little itchy beasts lasted about 6-8 weeks and went away. Oh JOY! I’m one of the lucky ones, it was just a fluke thing! I’m cured! The relief lasted about a month and now the little itchy bastards are back. > > And they brought friends. > > And I think they’re throwing a party. > > The back of my neck itches, my forehead itches, my cheeks itch, my arms itch, my shoulders itch. I’m scratching myself _all the time_ in places I don’t normally scratch _all the time_. The itching wakes me up at night. It keeps me from being able to concentrate at work. I can’t concentrate on what I read either, re-reading the same paragraph 2 or 3 times between scratchings. I’m popping Benedryl like M&Ms and soaking in oatmeal baths. Then there’s the lotion I was given, which is practically useless when my back breaks out. Ever try to apply lotion to your own back? After dislocating both shoulders trying to reach around my own body, the only options available are either getting a paint roller or just filling up a tub and having a nice lie-down in it. > > Not to mention all the little bumps on my forehead makes me look like there’s Klingon blood in the family. Are there any special scholarship programs available for Klingon-Americans? \*\* And you watched **Exorcist II: The Heretic** quite recently, didn’t you? Hmmmmmm, I think you’ll need an old priest and a young priest. ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085/29 "2003-05-06T03:16:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Payton’s Servant \* > \*\*And you watched Exorcist II: The Heretic quite recently, didn’t you? \*\* Good point, the hives weren’t too far after watching that movie. Then last night I had to watch _Crossroads_ starring Brittany Spears. Maybe I’m allergic to the bad movies! And **Guin** sweetie, how exactly does being a slutty virgin work? I’m all confoosed now. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085/30 "2003-05-06T03:23:03Z")
My mistake, I’m using perscription Allegra not Claritin. I may be looking at a new choice when this runs out. I’d advice folks to try the allergy testing first. It does work for lots of people, and you can become allergic to something that hasn’t bothered you before in your life. ---
**Author:** ![hardygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@hardygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hardygrrl)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085/31 "2003-05-06T03:26:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crunchy Frog \* > **hardygrrl, don’t you ever listen to what I say?** Last time I did _that_\*, I woke up next to Jim Edmonds wearing half a Phillies Fanatic suit…was that my outside voice? Shit. ---
**Author:** ![FabioClone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5f8ce5/32.png) [@FabioClone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FabioClone)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085/32 "2003-05-06T03:35:20Z")
Hives are one of those rare afflictions that make you miserable, while making you oddly amusing to everybody else. I know from personal experience that those who are not immediately repulsed are laughing behind your back. Just thought I’d clue you you in. They’re laughing _at_ you. I used to get them pretty bad a few years ago. Turns out I’m allergic to 2 things in this world: cigarettes and guinea pigs. God help me if I ever run into a guinea pig that smokes. Find out what’s causing them. Only then can you be free. I will add the cost of this advice to your bill. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085/33 "2003-05-06T14:49:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crunchy Frog \* > \*\* > And **Guin** sweetie, how exactly does being a slutty virgin work? I’m all confoosed now. \*\* Meaning, I haven’t had the opportunity to be a slut. ---
**Author:** ![evilhomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/43a26b/32.png) [@evilhomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhomer)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085/34 "2003-05-06T15:51:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DeVena \* > \*\*I didn’t think mine where a problem until my tongue swelled and I ended up in the emergency room. “Pweed hep me - I’m aww idchy amd my tong ith swolled.” Not pretty. > \*\* [Dr. Nick]Holy cats man! You need booze![/Dr. Nick] **Crunchy Frog** , as far as putting lotion on your back, if the offers of help don’t pan out, what about using a back scrubber? If the sponge on the end isn’t great for applying the lotion you’ve got, attach a washcloth to it and put the lotion on that. It might not be as messy as a paint roller (even the [Pro Trim Paint Roller](http://www.buyinnovations.com/pro_trim_paint_roller.html?cms=bd121c85d84e1eac2954ebee55c2667b) - As Seen on TV!) ---
**Author:** ![heresiarch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@heresiarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heresiarch)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085/35 "2003-05-06T19:26:01Z")
Hey **Crunchy** , when you watched [Crossroads](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3382972#post3382972), did you wash your hands thoroughly after handling the DVD? ---
**Author:** ![guava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/71e660/32.png) [@guava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guava)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2003, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085/36 "2003-05-06T19:50:51Z")
Yesterday, I discovered hives on my two-year old. We’re suspecting it’s the strawberries. Will she ever be able to eat strawberries again? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/these-hives-are-making-me-angry/173085.md?page=1)