Mystery Allergy

Have you ever broken out in hives? My wife has-- about six times this week to be exact. No facial swelling or inability to breath, so we haven't rushed her to the hospital or anything, but she has been having an allergic reaction to something.

All week we've been trying to figure out the nature of the mysterious allergen. My wife is allergic to several things, so we had a few strong candidates at first. Detergent was the first culprit. Normally we use Purex, but since our washing machine hasn't arrived yet, we've been washing clothes at the laundromat. The laundromat machines, with all the different types of soaps getting used in them, may have been the source of an allergenic residue.

However, through a completely accurate method of testing that I shall not explain for brevity's sake, we have determined that the laundromat is innocent. It had motive and opportunity, but in the end its story held up.

Doctors say that in 70% of cases of temporary hives, the source is never discovered. They just pump you full of Benadryl and you drive on with your life. However, we are determined to find the culprit. If you have any suggestions, leave a comment or call the Unsolved Mysteries helpline. The number is 1-800-876-5353.