Skin a complete mess

My rash wasn't as bad as yours but I got it under control with Fucibet cream and an anti-histamine called Hydroxyzine (25mg a day) which stopped me scratching, both on prescription here in the UK

I hope your appointment comes through soon

xxxxx

So sorry to hear that you are going through this.....no you are not alone.  Are you taking any anti-histamines?  Here in the US there is Allegra, Zyrtec, Claritin. As Lizzie mentioned Hydroxyzine .....I took that at night as it helps the itch and helps to sleep. Natural ways are to drink lots of water and stay away from foods like carbs. Some have recommended checking your blood for low vitamin D....if so add Vit D-3 daily....it has helped and is a new study that was done for Chronic Urticaria sufferes. Doxepin at night is also good...it's actually a anti depression medicine but helps with the hives.  I hope you find relief soon.  Can you see your GP until you see the dermatologist? 

I wish you well!

Wendy

In addition to what the other folks have said, you could add quercetin to your regimen.  It helps stabilize the mast cells.  Up to 500 mg daily, maybe with some bromelain and/or vitamin C. (But you're not supposed to take bromelain continuously.)  Hydroxycine is powerful, but made me too sleepy to work.  I'm a fan of vitamin D, if one has a deficiency.  Often goes away with time.  

There are some powerful meds to hold in reserve--in particular, the asthma medication omalizumab (given by injection once a month).  Not sure how safe, but it seems to clear the hives if you end up needing it.

You might also see an allergist (and not just a dermatologist).  Some cases of chronic hives have an allergic cause, though the whole etiology of it is uncertain. ("idiopathic"= docs have no really good idea of the cause!)

While I was waiting for my Derm appt., one of my GPs prescribed Hydroxyzine, she told me that it was an old fashioned anti histamine, which is also sedating.  I ended up taking 25mg at night but I found that I had to take it at 7pm, in order to wake up at a civilised time the following morning!

After taking it for 18 months, I found that it started to cause restless legs.

It made me sleep deeply, so that I didn't scratch during the night.

It was only after I saw the Dermatologist initially and she started me on Prednisolone, that the itching went away.  Then we moved on to the diagnosis and that is another story!

I would imagine that it would be better, from the Dermatologists point of view, if you didn't start steroids prior to your Derm appt..

I would also suggest taking photos if you do start steroids before seeing your Dermatologist, or maybe your GP could ring for advice.  I know the lists are very long.