I am getting hives along with joint pain. Could it be due to allergy or lupus?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have hyperthyroidism. I also have tendonitis in both my shoulders. I have been having joint pain for years and I work a lot of physical jobs. Lots of bending, kneeling, lifting, and twisting. I hang my hands quite a bit as well. I have been getting hives for the last two months, I have been using washing po and gain in my laundry for eight months. My mom is allergic to Tide. My endocrinologist mentioned lupus because of joint pain and hives. I have an appointment with a rheumatologist in four months. I am considering changing my detergent back to see if the hives stop. Could it all be coincidental? How long would an allergy take to show? I have always thought it was the onset of arthritis. I never got a butterfly-shaped rash on my face. I am currently taking Methimazole 10 mg, Multivitamins, and Gianvi birth control.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Well, the hives do go in favor of urticaria. It can be a part of lupus or can be independent as well. But usually, it is an autoimmune process triggered by some allergen (it is possible it is detergent in your case). But the joint pains you have do not really point towards lupus since it is only restricted to the shoulders. Most of the time, shoulders have a mechanical cause, that is you are overusing it in the wrong way. But never the less, since your appointment is far away, I would suggest you get a few tests done. Even with urticaria, we do these tests. Meanwhile, change your detergent and take a course in antiallergics and see if it improves. You can let me know the results when available.

Thank you.