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My hives began last August - nine months ago, right after a three week stint with shingles.  I initially thought I'd been bitten by a bug since they started on my scalp.  The hives quickly moved to my entire body and would mirror - that is, if I had a patch on the right thigh front, I'd also get a similar patch on my left thigh front. My allergist tells me this is the normal pattern with hives.  Over the course of the last year, I've seen my GP, two dermatologists, an allergist, a rheumatologist, two naturopaths and finally my chiropractor/naturopath.  I have used chamomile, alcohol, tea tree oil, deep cold (gel muscle ointment), Sensodyne toothpaste (white paste, not gel), apple cider vinegar, bug spray (Off skintastic), calendula oil, chinese muscle ointment, epsom salt baths and baking soda baths.  Internally, I have taken claritin, prescription reactine, benadryl,  and aerius.  7 moths ago, I also did one course of prednisone with minimal effect. Benadryl worked like a blanket effect for about two months, but it no longer works.  I doubled the dosage with no effect.  I changed antihistamines with no effect.  Of the topical applications, believe it or not, Sensodyne toothpaste works.  It cools the itch and reduces the urge to scratch because it feels terrible.  It leaves a crusty mess in the bed sheets however.  It is a cheap effective alternative. Recently, I have had some success with the Off Skintastic.  It also cools the burning itch but only for a short while and requires re-application. My chiropractor/naturopath took one look at me last week and diagnosed menopausal urticaria.  I have no other menopausal symptoms but I will be 50 this year so it is inevitable.  I have severely low iron and am now on supplements to increase iron and ferritin levels.  Thus, I am also on Yasmin (low dose birth control) to minimize iron loss through heavy periods.  My chiropractor suggested I visit an ob/gyn who specializes in this (but is off the OHIP plan)  His wait time is nine months.  No cure in sight for now.  In the mean time I desperately try to not scratch myself raw, but the feeling of having  bugs crawling under my skin persists and my stress level is high, which, perversely, probably makes the hives worse.