Getting hives only at night-is it from my dog?

I have a Boston Terrier who sleeps in bed with me. Several months ago I began to get hives at night on my body or legs, usually on my back or chest. I figured that I might be having a reaction to his hair. I wash my sheets and blanket every week in hot water but that doesnt seem to help. I have tried to get him to sleep in his crate again at night but that usually results in him starting to cry at 4am and I loose more sleep than I would have from the hives.

All I've been doing to prevent the hives is sleeping in a shirt and taking an antihistimine. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to what I can do to prevent these hives from happening. Its a weekly occurance.

Thanks for your help

I forgot to add- I use a hypo allergenic laundry detergent (and since I only get them at night) I doubt its from the detergent. My dog is on Frontline so I doubt it's fleas. I had a dog growing up as a kid and never experienced this.

First, since you have been suffering with urticaria (hives) for over 6 weeks, they are now considered chronic.. The good news is chronic urticaria is very rarely due to allergy, so it's not likely due to your dog. The bad news is they could continue for a long time.... One reason the hives are occurring at night is because that is when our cortisol levels are at their lowest, and most chronic hivers find they are worst at night, and some even hive only at night like you.

Another problem which causes hiving to worsen at night is that people often have their bodies too warm, and heat is a known mast cell degranulator - mast cells are a special type of immune system cell which contain a bunch of different chemicals, including histamine, which is what causes hives and itching. When mast cells degranulate, they release those chemicals, and being too hot will cause that to happen. Try to sleep in a cool room with minimal covers, that may help.

Third, since you are getting the hives mainly on your chest and back, it is possible the hives are pressure-related. Just the act of lying in bed all night can bring on pressure hives.

You say you are taking an antihistamine; when are you taking it? What type? How much? For people with chronic urticaria, some antihistamines, such as Zyrtec, seem to work better than others. And many of us are prescribed off-label dosing, higher than what is used for simple allergies. Plus adding an H2 antihistamine such as Zantac, Tagamet or Pepcid may give you better control of the hives. Some hivers also need a leukotriene blocker (Singulair, Accolate, Zyflo). Others find that adding a mast cell stabilizer (cromolyn, Ketotifen) is very helpful. Approx. half of all chronic urticaria sufferers are autoimmune, and for them a course of Cyclosporine can force a remission.

There is a recipe at the www.chronichives.com website for a lotion you can make using cromolyn which soothes the itchies and calms the rash. And for even more suggestions and information about chronic hives, check out the urticaria support group at yahoo groups - http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/urt...

Your best bet is to see an allergist/immunologist; they have the most experience in dealing with chronic urticaria. They (usually) know what tests to run, what to rule out, and which meds to use based on what type of chronic urticaria you have.

sleep in pajamas, wash your dog with different soap, but dont trade in your dog for a cat.

yeah!!! my dog used to sleep in my bed too...and I had to get this lotion stuff had to use it for about a week think it was scabies or I have head people call it chiggers...my dog dosn't sleep in my bed anymore