Chronic Urticaria...Anyone else affected by this?

[boxercurl]

I was diagnosed with this about 5 years ago. Basically, I become one big walking hive for no reason at all. The doctors put me on steriods for about a year and all that did was make me gain weight. Eventually the hives did go away.

Well now they have returned and they are ten times worse. If anyone has any suggestions as to how they have dealt with it or any ideas I haven't tried would be greatly appreciated.

I have tried Benedryl, with no relief, as well as a allergy pill that I take daily. I refuse to go back on the steroids, for reasons such as weight gain, horrible heartburn and the list goes on.

Please, Please help if you can. This is not only uncomfortable but can be somewhat painful at times and is all the time down right embarrassing walking around with big, ugly hives.

 

[user79]

I get urticaria as well, mainly due to allergies. It was so bad in the springtime due to hayfever, I hope it won't be like that again. I would wake up everyday with a swollen face and hives on my eyelids.

I've had outbreaks of it all over my body as well, due to food intolerances. I went to an allergologist and was diagnosed as having a fish intolerance. I haven't eaten any fish products in about a year so the urticaria went down a great deal.

I used to also get it as a kid in the cold, and due to strong temperature changes on my skin. It was really terrible.

I would get allergy testing done to find out what is causing it. Urticaria is triggered by mast cells overreacting, usually to something which the cells think is harmful. It could be a food intolerance, or an allergy (there is a difference). I think going to see a specialist is your best bet, and also keeping an urticaria diary helps. In it you note down when you get urticaria symptoms, the strength of the outbreak, and list what you ate that day. If you do this over a longer period of time, it can really narrow down to what might be causing it. For me, it was mostly food!

I have allergy pills and cortisone pills for when it gets really bad.

 

[Kuuipo]

I use 24 hour Claritan (loratadine-generic)-its an antihistimine that doesn't dry the mouth and make one feel dopey.

 

[TUPRNUT]

I was diagnoised with Chronic Idiopathi Urticaria in February. It was one long week before I was finally diagnoised - I had hives EVERYWHERE, swelling of my lips and eyelids as well.

I found a terrific allergist who has taken a considerable amount of time discussing this conditions with me. Currently I'm on Xyzal twice a day and Rantidine once a day. Xyzal instantly did the trick for me. It's normally prescribed for once a day, but my hives have been so bad, that I need it twice.

It's good to know I'm not the only one dealing with this. It's so frustrating!!!