Yes, food allergies can cause hives, that's true. I guess I was talking about generally itchy skin and eczema type symptoms, which are not commonly associated with food allergies. However, as I DID say, allergies are not totally predictable and people can have very individualized reactions to allergens. But you can never just assume that something is a food allergy. And while your suggestion to focus on fresh & raw foods is an excellent one, your assertion to not bother seeing a doctor is NOT.   Any time you have an unexplained symptom or any health concern at all, it's a good idea to call your doctor to discuss it. Your doctor is the medical expert and can help you decide if a symptom is serious or needs to be treated. It's never a good idea to diagnose yourself.   Also, I did a bit more research on Splenda and found that skin rashes CAN be a side effect. Here is a very balanced report on the so-called dangers of Splenda vs. sugar written by a nurse practitioner: http://www.womentowomen.com/healthyweight/splenda.aspx   To your health, Kathi