Help with dealing with skin allergies...?

A couple of months ago I had a really bad "outbreak" of contact dermatitis; I was covered in hives all over my chest, arms, legs, and stomach. I try and avoid the things I know I'm allergic to (silver and nickel in jewelry, etc) but I don't know what caused the massive outbreak. Since then I've had chronic itchness and frequently have smaller scale outbreaks of hives. I've tried switching everything from deodorant, detergent, not using any perfume, changing soap, etc. and am still having problems. I take Zertec for a everyday anti-histamine and I have really bad "outbreaks" on the days I don't take it. And the high humidity lately is only making things worse. Anyone deal with this and have any good remedies? anyone have any good advice?

Help with dealing with skin allergies...?
One of the biggest triggers of contact dermatitis is fabric softener sheets for the dryer.If you are using them you need to stop and have to re-wash everything.Use a laundry soap that is "free and clear" of dyes and perfumes.There is a lotion you can buy over the counter for the outbreaks,it's called Sarna.It's a sensitive skin anti-itch lotion made especially for eczema,dry and sensitive skin. Your pharmacist can order for you if you can't find it on the shelf.I hope this helps and good luck.I know from personal experience what you're going through.
Reply:I had that too. I got it from the tanning bed. If you tan maybe you did to. I got eildel http://www.elidel.com/info/elidel_ppi.js...
Reply:I had a similar problem where I was breaking out in painful hives (doctors called it acute and cronic urticaria) it felt like I was being stuck with thousands of needles and it was leaving red welts on my body. It seemed to be brought on by heat and when my blood pressure would suddenly spike. I tried everything from allergy medicine to topical creams and nothing worked. Finally a doctor prescribed Singulair (it's an asthma/breathing medicine) but apparently it's prescribed for many other things. That combined with the daily Allegra I was taking for seasonal allergies made it go away. I kept taking the medicine and eventually the hives never came back.