Strange swelling of palms, fingers, and underside of wrist

[Bruceleroy]

Since I was young I have had trouble with my hands swelling, usually when exposed to extreme heat or cold.  Lately though it is getting worse.  My palms, fingers, and the underside of my wrists are developing what look and feel like very large mosquito bites.  About the size of a quarter or larger in diameter.  I know for a fact that I am not getting bitten by anything.  Using aspirin does not help.  Ice does nothing either, just makes my hand cold.  Rest works to a degree... they break out randomly.  If I have it when I sleep, upon waking the itchiness is gone, but sometimes the swelling remains.  The frequency has increased in the past few days, so I have decided to look for answers.  Does anyone have any ideas or advice?  
Thanks.
Bruce

[Bruceleroy]

Thanks for the advice doc.  I have tried topical ointments before but they had no affect.  Will try the anti-histamine though.  Thanks for your time.

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
This is a condition called hives.Urticaria (or hives) is a skin condition, commonly caused by an allergic reaction, that is characterized by raised red skin wheals (welts).
Wheals from urticaria can appear anywhere on the body and vary in size.

They typically itch severely, sting, or burn, and often have a pale border. Urticaria is generally caused by direct contact with an allergenic substance, or an immune response to food or some other allergen, but can also appear for other reasons, notably emotional stress. The rash can be triggered by quite innocent events, such as mere rubbing or exposure to cold.

The skin lesions of urticarial disease are caused by an inflammatory reaction in the skin, causing leakage of capillaries in the dermis, and resulting in an edema which persists until the interstitial fluid is absorbed into the surrounding cells.

Urticarial disease is thought to be caused by the release of histamine and other mediators of inflammation.When an irritant comes into contact with your body, your immune system sends chemicals, including histamine, to fight it. The sudden spike in histamine levels can cause an outbreak of hives in the upper layers of the skin.

Comfort is the main goal of treatment, since most hive outbreaks are relatively minor and short-lived. To soothe itchy skin, try cold compresses, calamine lotion, a cool shower, or a tepid bath.

You could take an over-the-counter antihistamine to reduce your body's response to the irritant and to relieve pain.
ref:http://www.myonlinewellness.com/topic/hivestreatment
ref:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticaria