*IF YOU HAVE A WEAK STOMACH YOU MAY NOT WANT TO READ THIS*

This morning at 5am I began scratching my knee. It was red and after scratching, a big quarter size red welt appeared. I assumed at first I had been bitten by a mosquito or spider. 20 minutes later I was covered in those big welts on both my knees, down my legs, my butt, lower back, and both arms.
I took a shower thinking I should clean the areas then slathered on Dermasil but right after the shower I had MAJOR diarrhea and vomiting to the point where it was both coming out really runny and I fell asleep right afterwards and slept until 6pm.
Now that I am back awake, I do not feel sick at all but the welts are still extremely itchy and covering the same areas.
I don't know if the welts and sickness are related other than they happened around the same time.
I have not been outside in days since I recently got out of the hospital with a kidney infection so I don't think it is poison ivy, I have not changed any soaps or detergents, have not eaten anything differently, and we have 1 dog but she stays outdoors and I have seen no fleas in our home.
Has anyone else had this problem? Is it something associated with pregnancy (this is my 6th one but I've never had this happen before) or have any of you had this and not been pregnant.
I've been googling all day and even looking up staph infections since I was in the hospital recently but I can't narrow it down since most sites are of people also asking what it is.
The itching is driving me nuts and if anyone has had this and know what I could use to get relief I'd appreciate it.

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Mommy to Nolan 7, Trevor 5, Kayley 4, Jessica 2, and Rebecca 1, and the newbie not born yet. Don't have a name picked out.

Have you called your doctor? If not, do that first.

When I got poison ivy while pregnant, I was allowed to take Benadryl. That helped me. But call your doctor.

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I get very itchy but it is like little mosquito bites not big welts. Extremely itchy but I think it is called pregnancy rash. I try not to scratch too much! When you find out what it is let us know!

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Since you are pregnant, I definitely don't think it would hurt to run this by your OBGyn. They may want to see you and/or could tell you what is safe to take to help with the symptoms.

Could you be having a reaction to a medication you are on for the kidney infection? I had a peritonsillar abcess when I was 19 and after several days on very high dose antibiotics (which included IV antibiotics), I developed a red rash over my entire body. It went away after I stopped the medication. I never found out for sure what caused it, but I am assuming that I had developed some sort of sensitivity to the medication (or a combination of the medications). As a precaution, I now tell doctors and pharmacists that I am allergic to augmentin/amoxocillan, but I know that isn't necessarily true since I have taken lower doses of antibiotics in the penicillan family with no reaction since that time.

I hope it's nothing serious and that you find relief soon. By the way, you can also get hives from a viral infection. They're not dangerous (as long as they're not associated with any breathing difficulty) and they'll go away on their own (this happened to my son last summer).

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Stephanie
Mom to: Caleb (8/03), Ian (9/05), & Baby Boy #3 (EDD 11-9-2008)

I wouldn't take any chances and call your DR. Keep us updated

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

You poor thing! I hope you feel better soon. I also thought maybe it was a reaction to the medicine you're on for the kidney infection. Do get it checked out and keep us updated. I'm praying for you and your baby!

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~~Amanda~~
Mommy to one Little Man (3 1/2 yrs old), FINALLY expecting #2!!! (due around Memorial Day 2009) *adoption has been put on hold*

Maybe you were bit by some type of spider. It sounds like a spider bite reaction to me. Many spider bites will do that to you.

If you're on anti-biotics, you're probably having an allergic reaction. Sounds like you have hives. DO call your doctor.

If no anti-biotics, you probably have a viral rash. Yes, viruses cause these weird skin reactions.

How do you know if you have hives? Scratch an area with your fingernail where you're not already welty. If that area pops up, it is hives. One doctor even signed his name on my arm to prove this to me. Gee, thanks doc.

If you have hives, it is worth a call to your doctor. You could have external and INTERNAL reactions and medical personnel like to keep gestating mommies alive so you might need to take something.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."