I think I’ve got hives.
My skin — which has served me well for many years — has gotten a little splotchy in two places: my right forearm and the back of my left hand.
Living in my own skin
could this be hives? This all started one afternoon in May, while picking strawberries.
Three times this spring, I stopped at Patterson’s farms and picked a gallon of strawberries. After picking, I bought an ice cream cone (butter pecan) and drove home — where we washed and ate the delicious berries.
On two of those occasions, the afternoon sun was bright and the fields were full of pickers.
I remember one family that consisted of a father, wife, baby, and daughter. The wife held the baby while the husband picked berries. The daughter, about nine years old or so, picked a few — but she mostly ate the berries her father picked.
On one of those days — a Tuesday afternoon, I think, after two days of rain — the fields were empty and the berries were extremely plentiful.
I think this is the day I broke out, suddenly, as if I had run into a swarm of little biting insects. Can’t be sure, because I don’t really remember — but I think it was the moist day, as opposed to the two hot, dryer days of picking. I do know, for sure, that the rash came on quickly while picking strawberries.
Eric, at GNC, read to me about symptoms. I Googled it. I think it’s hives.
It’s possible, according The Internet, for hives to be brought on by an allergic reaction — while stress is the underlying cause.
I could go to the doctor and get a prescription. Most likely, I would get a little advice: 1) don’t pick strawberries, and 2) take antihistamines (which I don’t like because they make me sleepy and dry-mouthed).
I do have good health insurance, but I’m not going to the doctor. I don’t want to spend the time breathing germs in the waiting room. And I don’t want to spend the money. And I don’t want to take any drugs. I wouldn’t mind getting rid of the hives (if that’s what it is), but I don’t think going to the doctor will help with that. I may be wrong of course. According to some estimates, I’m wrong between 30 and 70 percent of the time.
I’m guessing, with decent nutrition, plenty of good water, and a little yoga, the hives (if that’s what it is) will leave about the time the weather begins to cool.
It might also help to use a 30 foot pole in regard to a few stressful situations involving, shall we say, siblings.
In fact, I’m going to plan on having clear skin, once again, on September 21. I don’t want to stress about it, but that’s my goal. If not, damn. Don’t know what I’ll do about it.