The Itchy and Scratchy Show

I think that if someone wants to slowly torture me to get state secrets out of me, the best way would be to let me scratch myself to death. Forget waterboarding. Hives like these would make be rat out my own mother (love you, Mommy!). I have never had hives before this summer and now I have them again (the first incidence was from the ghetto insect repellent that I used, remember?). I have been racking my brain to figure out what could have caused this. Then I remember that about 40-60% of cases of hives are idiopathic, meaning that you never figure out what caused them. Here are the top four contenders:

1. The zoo - we were there for a birthday party this weekend. I have been there before, but who know what the giraffes may be trying to get me with.
2. The deli - I met up with a friend from college for an impromptu lunch and had a Reuben sandwich. I have had these before, but maybe they used something unusual to prepare it. Food allergy...say it ain't so!
3. Flu shot - got this last week at work. I get them every year and never had a problem before. Of course.
4. Exercise - I have been running more this week and now I am wondering if I am allergic to exercise, just as I have always suspected. Seriously, there is a condition where people get hives after exercising. At least I would have an excuse...
5. Something random. It would figure.

Anyway, luckily I have a armamentarium of all kinds of anti-allergy, antihistamine-y goodies at home (Claritin, Zyrtec, Benadryl, Atarax, Prednisone, Zantac...)

For some reason, I am feeling sleepy...