Chronic Urticaria

jimmy rodgers

Hello.

I have this because of an allergy I recently developed to asprin.

Does anyone else have it? What do you think causes your flare-ups? What medication / anti-histamines do you take? Do you find it is "stress related (read this on the internet) or do you find that comment intensly patronising? How bad do you get it - eg:pressure urticaria / mad rash / anaphalactic face-swelling etc.

For the Docs - are there any effects of taking daily anti-histamines long term?

Its a really really annoying condition cause its a "fly by the seat of your pants" type of thing - eg: "we think it was caused by asprin but we arent sure and there is no treatment except anti-histamines...." ANNOYING.

DrIndy

Certain antihistamines have side effects and can be quite toxic, but have mostly been withdrawn from the market. (terfenadine being an example)

Generally side effects that are common are drowsiness - which is less with the newer third generation antihistamines like zirtek. There are few others. I have not heard of any problems with antihistamines in the long term use.

nando

I have urticaria that's set off by lots of things and also other allergies (basically hayfever all year). I find certain washing powder is a problem and I also started developing swelling and a rash on my face from kiwis which i never had before. It's definitely worse when I'm stressed.

The only antihistamine I have found to control both problems successfuly is Xyzal. It is supposed to be non-sedating but I was literally unconscious while taking it. Slept on the bus, through all my college lectures, on the bus home then straight to bed. It was like taking a sleeping tablet only more effective. :rolleyes:

Neoclarityn controls my hayfever well but not my urticaria. Zirtek controls my urticaria but not my hayfever. I've settled for the Zirtek with a nasal spray (Nasocort) to help the hayfever. Don't have any problems with Zirtek or Neoclarityn, no drowsiness etc.

It's all a pain in a** though!

Faith

nando wrote:

The only antihistamine I have found to control both problems successfuly is Xyzal. It is supposed to be non-sedating but I was literally unconscious while taking it. Slept on the bus, through all my college lectures, on the bus home then straight to bed. It was like taking a sleeping tablet only more effective. :rolleyes:

I take Xyzal when I'm in Ireland for normal hayfever and it works like a charm. I've never had any problems with drowsiness on it.

DrIndy

10% of people will get drowsy on the third generation antihistamines, which is better than nearly everyone who takes the second generation ones like piriton.

eth0_

I get hives as a result of hayfever...I had loads this summer, mostly on my back and chest. Had to take zirtek every day to stop them coming back.

I get them when i'm feeling really stressed as well.

cojomo2

I get horrible breakouts all over my body after I exercise when my body heats up.

It's incredibly depressing..the rash is very severe..heaps of raised red dots everywhere.

Condition appeared about 10 months ago out of nowhere:mad:

No I no longer exercise with the exception of cycling to work, which results in a breakout after I get there:mad:

Anyone else have this?