Q: On getting up in the morning, I have itching on my head, in the palms and ears. Itching is mostly at the areas prone to rubbing, like neck, collar, head with pillow, belt area, shoes etc. After itching red spots appear over the hand and around the neck. I don't know the cause of the allergy. How should I solve the problem? I am taking medicines such as histic 150 (Ranbaxy), zaditen (Novartis), aerius. The problem has come under control after taking these medicines but it reoccurs if I stop them. I also feel a little feverish after taking these medicines.

A:Your problem seems to be that of urticaria which has a number of causes. They are: 1. Ingestants: a) Foods - cheese, eggs, nuts, fish, mushrooms, etc. b) Food additives - tartarzine dyes, etc. c) Food preservatives d) Drugs - penicillin, salicylates, sulphonamides, etc. 2. Injectants: a) Insect bites b) Injection - drug, sera, blood, etc. 3. Inhalants: - Pollens, animal dander, etc. 4. Infestation by parasites: - Amoebiasis - Giardiasis - Hookworm - Round worm 5. Infection - focus in teeth, tonsils, sinuses or elsewhere. 6. Physical causes/factors (urticarial attacks are brief lasting for 30 to 60 minutes): a) Dermographism (write-on-skin) - stroking the skin with blunt metallic instrument results in an exaggerated triple response. b) Pressure urticaria - pressure c) Cholinergic urticaria - decrease in core body temperature (small intensely pruritic papules) d) Cold urticaria - cold air or water e) Heat urticaria - heated object f) Solar urticaria - sun exposure g) Exercise induced - exercise h) Aquagenic pruritus/urticaria - contact with water i) Vibratory urticaria - handling vibratory instruments 7. Contact urticaria - On coming in contact with potato, onion, nitrogen mustard etc, develops urticaria at site of contact. 8. Rule out underlying collagen vascular disorders, malignancy or any psychogenic cause. 9. Idiopathic - no cause found. At present, you and your doctor need to explore the causes of uricaria. Many a times, it is short lasting event and may require symptomatic treatment with antihistamines for a few weeks.