I've had unexplainable HIVES (urticaria) for 6 weeks now?

They come and go all the time and I can't think of a single thing that's causing them. Maybe they aren't even hives but they match up with the typical description of them at any rate. I've never had a skin condition in the past. Could it be a sign of something serious? BTW over the counter-creams and medicines (i.e. anti-hystamines) appear to have little or no effect on them.

Hives are like little mesquito bites in patches. They come and go. I get these from lots of different things. If you don't seem to find a cause, it could be from stress.
I get them if someone irritates me or is making me angry. Also, they will appear if I am really stressing about other things that are weighing heavy on my mind. Like a wedding, work deadlines, late bills or my truck is having problems. Maybe you are holding in something you should talk about to someone.
My mom was the first to notice it was stress related. If it is from anger, it will flare up on my neck or face. If it's stress, it is usually on my arms, hands or torso. From work issues, usually causes it on my legs or wrists during my sleep. I use calamyne lotion (generic only) or anti-itch cream (that is exactly what the name is). I've included 3 links for stress related hives that you might consider. Good Luck!

Urticaria can be caused by allergic reactions. Have you seen a physician for evaluation and diagnosis? The physician will ask:

What has changed in your life in the past six weeks?

New shampoo, conditioner, soap, detergent, fabric softener?

New medications? Even over-the-counter medications?

New makeup? New body lotion? New razor? Have you bought new washcloths and towels? New clothes?

New carpet? Have you had your carpets cleaned? Have you just turned on your central heat/air?

New pet? Are you around someone elses' pets?

Do the hives occur at certain times of the day? After meals? After drinking certain beverages? In certain rooms? Inside the home? Outside the home? Just after you get dressed? Just after you shower? At work? After exercise? After being exposed to very cold temperatures? After sun exposure?

Read more at http://dermatology.about.com/od/hives/g/...
http://dermnetnz.org/reactions/urticaria...

For a very professional, technical article, try http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3014.h... (emedicine is a great website for those with a little medical knowledge, as you may have).

Mayoclinic has several good articles at

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chronic...
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/allergy...
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/Dermato... (interesting article)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polymor...
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hives-a...

OMG I have had the exact same thing. I thought it was heat rash, cos sometimes I get it after a really hot shower, but most of the time I get it randomly - and it's winter now, so I'm cold quite a lot. Hmm. I've tried calamine lotion, sudacrem, all that sort of thing. I've cut out certain food groups, but there's not a change... although I might not have given it long enough. I think mine might be related to stress though :S

The only thing that sometimes works for me is having a cold-warm bath. Not exactly pleasant but it cools the rash a bit. I don't know how to prevent it, but that helps it a little. I also found a cream, dermovate cream, which is helping a bit - I think it's quite a strong steroid cream, so I probably shouldn't recommend it. It's still not stopping the hives though, just the itching. I would go to the doctor about it, see what they suggest.

Hmm.

I will have to watch this question for more helpful answers! Sorry not to be of any use.
I hope it gets better for you!

My suggestion to you and other poster on here who said she has a similar problem is to get tested for food allergies/intolerance's. You sound like you have a dead on case of food intolerance's. 98% of skin conditions (psoriasis, eczema, hives, etc etc) are caused by food you are eatting that you actually intolerant of. I HIGHLY reccomend getting tested for wheat/gluten, soy, tree nut, peanut, milk and egg intolerances. This is important to find out now, because if you continue to eat things you are intolerant to it will damage your small intestine and organs over time, causing much worse health disorders. I can almost guarentee you it is something you are eatting. Even though it is happening on the outside, skin conditions originate from something you are putting in the inside. I would wonder if you have anything else going on, like psoriasis (dandruff) or dry patches other places on your body, digestive issues, depression/anxiety, asthma, or any other number of things. You may not have anything else noticable going on, but I would say getting tested for these is very important to find out which one (or ones, as food intolerances for people have a tendency to go in groups. If you are intolerant of you, there is a 50% chance you have a problem with another) you need to stop eatting.

Also, as an EDIT, reading the post above mine saying she cut out all sorts of food groups with no improvement. I bet she did not cut them out for long enough, or completly cut them out. The top eight allergies are hidden very well in food. It takes anywhere from 3 months to 2 years for your body to heal itself and for symptoms to clear when you have been eatting something you are intolerant or allergice to all your life.

You can start by visiting the skin rash page at the source below. It may help you diagnose your skin rash or skin hives.

Are you shure that it is hives?
Maybe you have a condition called Hidradenitis Supprativa. It is a condition of re-occurring boils/ cysts/abscesses , that are often misdiagnosed as ingrown hairs, herpes, being unclean and folliculitis. This is a newly diagnosed skin condition , but there is a lot of info out there.
Here is a link :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidradeniti...
If this sounds like it might be you, READ it, PRINT it out, and TAKE it to your DOC.
Its better to try to start treatment soon, it can spread over the body if left untreated. These boils can become quite large and painful. Sometimes even lasting for weeks or months , do not attempt to POP them they can then tunnel under your skin and spread all over the body. Most common areas are armpits, groin, binkni line, inner legs, and intimate places and basically anywhere that sweats and rub against clothing. Stress is a big inducer.

There is some support groups at MSN , and yahoo, and I am open for questions!
I have had this for 8 years, I was misdiagnosed for a LONG time, It was very embarrassing, painful and scary. I am just trying to help out so you don鈥檛 have to wait as long as I did.