Dancing hives

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Rose1976

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Apr 21, 2014
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I'm rereading The Stand and came across a term I didn't understand. When Colonel Deitz is at the CDC (where they are holding Stu Redman for observation) giving his report on the findings of the disease, he states that people only go to the doctor for certain things, one of those things he lists is "a bad case of the dancing hives". What is/are dancing hives? I tried looking it up online, figured it could be a slang term for an STD or something, but couldn't find anything about it. So, I figured the best people to ask are Stephen King fans. ☺ Hopefully someone has some insight on this that they would be willing to share.
 

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
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Apr 11, 2006
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It sounds like a reference to an STD doesn't it? The only other thing it might be that I can think of right now is that Stephen has spoken in the past of having had a bad encounter with some Poison Ivy... perhaps it is something like this?
 

Rose1976

Member
Apr 21, 2014
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It sounds like a reference to an STD doesn't it? The only other thing it might be that I can think of right now is that Stephen has spoken in the past of having had a bad encounter with some Poison Ivy... perhaps it is something like this?
That's a good thought. I didn't think of poison ivy. That would make sense, a rash that "dances" across your body if you're not careful. I'm still leaning towards an STD because Deitz is basically trying to make a point that people only go to the doctor for more serious ailments. Poison ivy, although a pain in the rear, is fairly common and easy to handle. My boys had it many times when they were younger, so I should be an expert on it by now. :laugh:
 

kingzeppelin

Member who probably should be COMMITTED!
Apr 15, 2012
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I agree with Flake, in that it is some kind of itchy rash that makes you fidget hence "dancing".
Itchy-smiley.gif

Welcome to the board.
 

Rose1976

Member
Apr 21, 2014
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Survey says?!
Okay, so it looks like the majority so far think it's a rash due to an allergic reaction. Definitely sounds reasonable. I tell you though, this is one of those questions I'd love to ask Mr. King directly just for amusement sake. Well... That among the thousand other things I'd want to ask. Lol.