I would have hives every night if I didn't take my plain 10 mg Claritin (no decongestant-high blood pressure) and my small 4 hr.25 mg Benedryl. I've been taking these two every night and they work; but, if I stay up late before taking the 24 hr. Claritin, I feel it wearing off and I begin getting itchy. I know exactly what you mean about griping a screwdriver and having the palm swell. I used to get big mean irritated hives on the inside of my wrists, too, where the blood is close to the surface. Try at least the cheaper store-brand Claritin and see if the hives go away.
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