I am the exact same. Mine first started at age 22 under very stressful circumstances, now I am 26 and am having them again during a stressful time at work. I have noticed that heat and stress and red wine (odd, I know!) all make it worse. One thing I have found that does help is smoking (not cigarettes but the other stuff). A day after I do it, they are smaller and drying up. My aunt-in-law just found out that I have this, and she said that as she was working on her PhD she experienced the same thing and actually took the same resolution that I take. She's in her late 60's and hasn't had them since.
Cortizone creams helps with the itch..but that's about it. Ice packs help me sleep and drinking LOTS of water.
