For the last week I m itching like crazy in my knee pits, on the bony parts of my hips, and my upper butt cheeks. There is no rash or bites. Best I can figure is some kind of allergy , but why only in those spots? It started around the time I ate raddiccio. I m not allergic to anything else from the lettuce family, so that would be strange to be allergic, but possible I guess.
Hello, Cruciferous (lettuce) vegetables such as cauliflower, radicchio can have high levels of salicylate that can explain the itchy hives that you are having. However, this is usually a secondary trigger for people with idiopathic urticaria (medical term for red, itchy hives that can feel swollen under the skin) and is occasionally generalized (i.e., whole body may be involved in hives). I would not suggest going on a strict low salicylate diet as it is a very difficult diet, but you might want to stop radicchio in your diet and start taking either cetirizine 10 mg (max twice daily) or Allegra 180 mg for the next 2-3 weeks until all the hives have cleared up. Sometimes the treatment needs to be continued for 3 months so check with your doctor on the right antihistamines. If you do not high levels of salicylate sensitivity (i.e., can tolerate other foods high in salicylates) then do NOT go on a strict low salicylate diet. Sometimes in people with salicylate sensitivity, one may be able to tolerate some foods but not others in the high salicylate list which may be the same with you.