Chronic "hives" that come and go

[AnonChick]

Originally Posted by NikonChic

As of today I have had chronic hives since my second year of college (2000). I have been to an allergist, dermatatoligust, have had blood taking, nothing....really frustrating. Took Benedry the first time around but made me drowsy; took this topical white cream every time the hives started flaring. Now I'm only taking Zyrtec which it controls; every 2 days it flares up.

At first I thought it was apples. I stopped eating it for a few years and I was still itching. I haven't tried acupuncture yet which someone told me to try as well as Yoga which I haven't continued for the last few weeks!

I'm at a point where I just want to be free of this thing!

If Zyrtec is controlling it, then it's definitely an allergy. Did you ever get an allergen patch test? If you didn't, you should. It can rule out any common allergens that trigger hives. You can also try your own elimination testing - buy some UNscented clothes detergent, and buy a bar of UNscented vegetable glycerine soap. For a week, shower, wash your face and hands, even your hair, ONLY with that soap. And wash your clothes in the unscented detergent, and do -not- use a fabric softener or dryer sheet. Not even an unscented one. You could be allergic to the anti-static ingredient.

Now - after a week - if you're still experiencing the problem, then you know it's safe to go back to using normal shampoo/soap/fabric detergent, and it's time to eliminate something different. Eliminate all citrus foods, and any body lotions, or solvents (like kitchen countertop sprays or window cleaner) containing citrus oil. Keep away from that for a week. Any change? No? Then it's okay to eat/use that stuff - and eliminate something different the next week. All dairy products, for an example. Butter, milk, ice cream, whey protein powder, etc. etc.

If you find a noticeable improvement after a week of eliminating something, then you know that there's something in that category causing the problem. Slowly add it back into your regimen - for instance, if it's something citrus - try using ONE product that you eliminated, and and see if there's a change within 24 hours. If the problem seems to be going away, then that eliminated item was -not- the problem. If the problem is getting worse, or staying the same, then it might be that one product. Eliminate that product again, and add a *different* product in that category. Such as - a glass of orange juice. If the problem doesn't return, or gets better - then it is not only not orange juice, it is also not citrus oil, specifically. So you can now feel safe about returning citrus oil to your regimen. And it was probably just the hand cream, and maybe anything else made by the same manufacturer, with that scent.

It can be a long, involved, drawn-out procedure, to learn what you're allergic to. But if it gives you peace of mind, it's worth it!

The only other thing you can do, really - is just keep taking the Zyrtec. That's what I do. I can't imagine avoiding grocery bags for the rest of my life - just touching them gives me welts, so that means I can't lean against the counter when I'm doing my own grocery shopping, because the bags are at the end of the counter.

[NikonChic]

Good lord I can't even spell for nothing!! I must have been tired or frustrated when I was typing!!

Originally Posted by AnonChick

If Zyrtec is controlling it, then it's definitely an allergy. Did you ever get an allergen patch test? If you didn't, you should. It can rule out any common allergens that trigger hives.

Nope..never...the allergist just used this metal prong and scraped it along my skin. One time he actually witnessed my hives in full blown mode. He was giving me these shots which was not helping any. Not even for my sneezing. The nurse even told me.

I currently don't have insurance but I will have to try to see a specialist anyway to try the patch test.

You can also try your own elimination testing - buy some UNscented clothes detergent, and buy a bar of UNscented vegetable glycerine soap. For a week, shower, wash your face and hands, even your hair, ONLY with that soap. And wash your clothes in the unscented detergent, and do -not- use a fabric softener or dryer sheet. Not even an unscented one. You could be allergic to the anti-static ingredient.

Now - after a week - if you're still experiencing the problem, then you know it's safe to go back to using normal shampoo/soap/fabric detergent, and it's time to eliminate something different. Eliminate all citrus foods, and any body lotions, or solvents (like kitchen countertop sprays or window cleaner) containing citrus oil. Keep away from that for a week. Any change? No? Then it's okay to eat/use that stuff - and eliminate something different the next week. All dairy products, for an example. Butter, milk, ice cream, whey protein powder, etc. etc.

If you find a noticeable improvement after a week of eliminating something, then you know that there's something in that category causing the problem. Slowly add it back into your regimen - for instance, if it's something citrus - try using ONE product that you eliminated, and and see if there's a change within 24 hours. If the problem seems to be going away, then that eliminated item was -not- the problem. If the problem is getting worse, or staying the same, then it might be that one product. Eliminate that product again, and add a *different* product in that category. Such as - a glass of orange juice. If the problem doesn't return, or gets better - then it is not only not orange juice, it is also not citrus oil, specifically. So you can now feel safe about returning citrus oil to your regimen. And it was probably just the hand cream, and maybe anything else made by the same manufacturer, with that scent.

I keep entertaining the thought of trying this. I think I'm going to have to just bare and do it! I kept thinking that I should have wrote a journal from the moment it started. I thought nothing of it as i thought it was stress from college. Took a quarter off to see it helped and nothing.

The only other thing you can do, really - is just keep taking the Zyrtec. That's what I do. I can't imagine avoiding grocery bags for the rest of my life - just touching them gives me welts, so that means I can't lean against the counter when I'm doing my own grocery shopping, because the bags are at the end of the counter.

The only negative with the Zyretc is that it dries my skin. Thank god I don't get drowsy or I would have been in trouble! And what a mission about the plastic bags. Do you have to use paper? Or use the stores shopping bags?

Thanks for the reply and tips.

[anni16]

I suffered from hives and angioedema for 16 years. I had been to dermatologists and allergists and I had gone for allergy shots for 8 years. They found me allergic to grass, mold, dust mites, trees, ragweed and cats and dogs. After 8 years of shots, I was tested again and my levels of allergic response did not decrease and I still had hives so I quit the shots. The hives were under control with zyrtec and occasionally I would take a second antihistamine to control it if needed. I could not live without this medication. None of my doctors could find out the cause and my only symptom was hives. They diagnosed me with autoimmune disorder. At this point, I believed them and thought I would live sick for ever. I even got hives from pressure if anything was tight on my skin such a a shoe or a belt. I went from being perfectly healthy to sick every day with no others health problems, but chronic hives. I tried diets and eliminating things from diet and from my contact. But, nothing helped.

Then one day, I realized I had parasites. They hid from me and my immune system for years. I had no symptoms of the parasites other than the chronic hives. My immune response of hives was to the waste products of the parasite but my body could not detect the parasite itself. I did not have the textbook case.

I received treatment for the parasites and it was effective. I felt better right away. Immediately the terrible hives I had got better but were still there however, they were mild. I only needed 1 zyrtec every other day. About 2 to 3 weeks following treatment the hives went away completely.

I wanted to post my story to give those suffering from chronic hives hope that they may be cured. Don't give up on trying to find out what is causing your problems. In my case, my doctors were all wrong, and not one brought up parasites as a cause of hives or even offered a test on parasites or even offered education on parasites. I had no clue I had parasites. It is easy for a a doctor to diagnose you with an autoimmune disorder, as at the end of the visit you are still sick and they don't know why, itstead of them still searching for a real cause.

[NikonChic]

@anni16, parasites?? OMG....so what was the treatment?

[Tanya Taylor]

I have read alot of your stories about hives. My daughter has been breaking out in extreme hives now for two years. She first started when we were outside in 100 degree weather. I looked over at her face and it as welped up pretty bad and she begin to break out all over here body. I rushed her to the emergency room. They looked at her throat and and ran a strep test on her. She did test positive and I went with it and allowed them to treat her for the strep. She than turned around and broke out in hives the next day. I took her in to her pediatrician. Becuase they did not see the outbreaks I felt as if they were not believing me. Finally after two weeks I got her in to the pediatrician and he was able to see her with the break out of the hives. These were not heat rashes. I knew what Heat rashes looked like. Long story short he prescibed her RANATIDINE. I was a little puzzled why he prescribed her this medication. I was under the impression it was for acid reflex. She still gets the outbreaks in extreme hot weather or whenver her body temperature rises fast. The medication works really quick to relieve the hives. The outbreaks really put a damper on her summe rbecause if she is not kept cool she will have several outbreaks a day. I started giving her the medication prior to her going out and it tends to work and keeps her hive free while she is out.

[DeeKoz]

Hello,
I'm not sure if you have resolved your issues with hives as of now. However, I just finally solved mine today after 15+ years of suffering and damaging my skin. After googling last weekend and seeing an interesting article on H. Pylori it matched all of my symptoms and I realized for the first time that my minor stomach issues were related to my hives. I called my doctor Monday and he got me in and took blood. Today the results came in that I indeed have H. Pylori. It's almost certain that has been my issue all along and has caused my hives. I encourage anyone dealing with this to have the blood test done. A course of antibiotics and pump blockers has a very high cure rate. I'm starting the 2 week round of meds today and hope it will immediately improve my hive situation. Good luck!

[Townandcountrygal]

Loves2read: wondering if your husband's hives are due to an allergic reaction or is it an autoimmune condition? To me typical hives are raised, red welts resulting from a allergic reaction to foods, drugs, or something in the environment. I've never had reactions like that but I do get raised, slightly red welts, varying in size, that are a little itchy but more painful. They happen when an area of my skin is exposed to friction (ie., waistbands, carrying a bag over my arm, sitting on a hard surface, and the bottom surfaces of my feet (the worst!). Does your husband get hive-like swelling due to friction?

[coops1387]

Hi.

I know this is an old thread...sorry for bumping.

im so sorry to hear about all your struggles with hives. I too have battled with them since jan of 12'.

I started a blog trying to document my successes to hopefully offer help to a few.

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