Urticaria

MistressPandora

I was just wondering if anyone else has ever had this before and what has helped them before.
Urticaria (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticaria) is basically histamines being released by the body itself, causing extremely itchy and painful lumps (hives) over various parts of the body. It can look like several bee stings and is just as painful and itchy. It's generally a "random" cause (i.e. doctors don't know what causes it) and can last from 6 weeks to 3 years to having it permanently.
I've had this now for roughly 2 and a half years and found only a few temporary solutions. I've changed clothes detergent, closely monitored my diet to eliminate the cause (nothing I was eating or drinking was causing it) and cut out a lot of stress in my life (it was initially caused by me being under a huge amount of anguish). The only things that do work are taking a few antihistamines like Zirtek (which is the non-drowsy stuff) and putting on a lotion like Eurlax to soothe the pain.

Most allergy tests cost between €450 and €650 to figure out the cause (if any) but luckily I found a far cheaper place in Rathmines so when I get a bit of cash next I'll be dropping in there.

So, as you can see, I've done my research as best as possible but I don't know many other people who have also had it so I'd appreciate your advice.

Thanks in advance.

Das Kitty

I've had it in the past from my body's own hormonal changes. One of my ovulation hormones got really high and I was covered in hives. Thankfully it settled down as this was a result of coming off the pill with me. Could you have some hormonal imbalance?

I would recommend an alergy test either way though, I know it's expensive but it would be worth it to take control of the condition. From my experience, the itch is maddening.

MistressPandora

Hmm, hormonal imbalance wasn't something I had given thought to before.
I'll definitely be getting the allergy test (thankfully, the most it will cost me will be €350) when I can, so I'll definitely mention that.

And yes, the itch is maddening. My boyfriend has to put socks on my hands sometimes, otherwise I'll unintentionally keep scratching at my skin until it bleeds

An Ard Ri

Hello,

I thought it was just me that had it. Have had it since i was around 15/16 and am in my 30's now. When i was younger it was quite bad especially after exercise or a shower/bath. A shower the morning after a night on the beer was a bit worse. Went to the doctor but there does not sem to be a cure. Used to take an anti-hystamine every day (Clarityn). It seems to get better the older you get. Only take 2 or 3 Clarityn a week now. The only thing about taking anti-hystamine every day is that i think i became mentally addicted to them. Its not the worse condition in the world to have but it is a bit upsetting at the start. It will get better for you with time but it may just be something you have to live with. Best of luck with the allergy test and keep posting of how you got on.

Oh The Humanity

My Mother (in her 60's) has had it all her life. They have done every test under the sun and not found the cause.

She is violently allergic to even mild sun so has to keep totally covered and use high factors all the time.

She takes an antihistamine every day for it which seems to be the only thing that helps.

Glowing

I've had this once before ... I don't envy you OP because it was unbearable. I think mine was triggered by a minor sweat rash from wearing a sling, then I was supersensitive to the heat and came out in hives all over my legs and arms every morning and evening.

If you've had it that long, I'm sure you've tried everything. I had to take anti-histamines every day for a few weeks and I found that a cold shower helped take the edge off the itch. It went away eventually .... I'd recommend trying a few different anti-histamine brands, as they're not all effective for everyone. I took Histaclar.

Hope it ends well for you!! Good luck!

MLE

I've had it going on 8 years back then I did every allergy test, skin prick test etc and found nothing. I thought it was in my mind and that I must be stressed as I was learning how to drive when it first started and so I even did hypnotherapy.

Eventually I did one of those vega tests in a health food store and they said it was wheat, I didn't believe it as first as I had blood tests and skin prick tests for wheat and they came up negative. But when I cut out wheat it stopped happening.

So since then I knew wheat caused it and tried to avoid it as much as I could, so got my doc to send me for ceoliac blood tests which were all negative, but this year I got referred to a gastroenterologist did the colonoscopy and gastrology a few weeks ago and they spotted that I have some irritation on my Oesophagus. Any way long and short of it seems to be so for that this irritation was causing my urticaria, so maybe this is a route you might go down to solve your issue. I am currently on some medication for this and can at the moment anyway eat wheat and get no urticaria.

I hope you find out the reason for yours.

sweet-rasmus

I had hives for a few days last year and I never figured out the cause. I would also recommend the vega allergy tests. I did one and found that by avoiding the stuff that came up in the test, I stopped having the related ailments. I don't know the ins-and-outs but if it can pinpoint your issue, it's worth it. Get someone recommended (TBH I wasn't impressed with my guy and what he tested for etc.).

LegacyUser

I would recommend Eucerin shower gel (get it at the chemist). I had it for a few weks and it was so badI could not sleep. An allergy test might show up something. I also had a few sessions with a kniesiologist who detected a build up of toxins in my body - worth a try.

LegacyUser

Hi OP. I had urtecaria myself for over two years. Thankfully it has cleared up completely for a year now. I would highly recommend the Slievemore clinic in Stillorgan if you can get to it. They have a fantastic team who specialise in allergies and allergy testing. I know what a depressing condition it is and also how painful it can be (particularly when the itch dies down and the skin is very tender) but it can be controlled by medication and also by avoiding your trigger (ie: dust, pollen, wheat, stress). Calomine lotion is very good to control the itch aswell. Best of luck and I hope you will find your trigger and prevention soon!

MistressPandora

Thanks for the advice everyone, I really appreciate it.

My doctor did recommend the Slievemore clinic before but they're one of the places that charge between €450 to €650 for full tests so I'm going to try Bourke's pharmacy in Rathmines (€30 for the initial test, €350 for the full test) when my dole finally comes through (hopefully I'll soon be able to get a medical card too).
I find Zirtek and its generic pals to be the most helpful, I get very drowsy and sleepy on the other types.

I'm now at the point where I don't/can't even hide it anymore because it's appearing all over my body (at different times though, it moves around) and people do get a little frightened if they see it on my face, neck, arms or back because they think I've been whipped something awful. This is ok, I can live with that but when it's on my scalp I get REALLY freaked out and start thinking that I have lice when in fact I don't!

I'll give that Eucerin shower gel a shot and see if it helps though.

Thanks again everyone! I'll let you know how I get on (and if I ever find a cure!).

jobucks

Hi OP, how did you get on with the tests?

I've been suffering from chronic urticaria now for over a year and find it very distressing, not only does it affect you physically it also makes a big dent in your confidence.

I've been taking zirtek every day for about 10 months now but am having some pretty rough side effects with it so have decided to ditch it.

I'm wondering does anyone know of any natural alternatives?

I have booked in with a kineseologist next wednesday so we'll see how that goes!

SerialComplaint

Strawberries were a big problem for my daughter - she hasn't had any problem with rashes since we cut them out of her diet.

Odaise Gaelach

Oh, yeah, I get them once every... two months or something, I think.

I actually didn't get them until I got my pet rabbit. I think there's something (not fleas!) with her that's causing the urticaria with me. But the outbreaks are so few and far between, it's difficult to pinpoint the cause (and it's not something I'd be pressed about following up).

Though yes, they are very annoying. Let us know how you get on, MistressPandora.

mcyclist

Go to your GP. All blood tests in Ireland are free. Ask your GP to do careful histor, identify likely causes and specify these in the test request. Having lots of tests as a screen are unlikely to be helpful without careful clinical history.

A referral to Immunologist might also be considered by GP.

amdublin

mcyclist wrote: »

All blood tests in Ireland are free.

Really???

My GP charges me for my blood tests....

OP - this has just started for me about 3 mths ago. I take an anti-histamine everyday. Only thing is they make me v tired (even the non-drowsy ones)

mcyclist

"Really???

My GP charges me for my blood tests...."

If testing is done at public laboratory which is the norm. Your GP is guilty of fraud if he/she is charging you for blood tests. I suggest you ask them why yey are charing when they do not have to pay for the test being done.

MistressPandora

I still haven't had the test yet (welfare people are putting me through the wringer) but hopefully soon.
In the meantime, I'm still on 2 antihistamines a day and putting on a lot of lotion. There's a new Irish version of Zirtek out called Cetirelief, which is made by Eireceutica. 30 pills for a tenner, which is a bargain!

The other lotions I'm trying with some success is a shower gel called Arveeno (should come with a warning though, it's like pouring liquid butter on yourself and makes the shower a bit of a death trap), Dream Cream from Lush and Burnshield, which works best of all.

Sadly, these are all temporary solutions and I would really like to find the cause. I'm beginning to believe that maybe I'm allergic to myself. On the other hand, I've learnt that I can make art on my skin!

EDIT: Amdublin, the only antihistamines I found to be non-drowsy are Zirtek and its ilk, like the one I mentioned above. Again, sadly, if the itchies (as I call them) are really bad, it'll wear you out anyway.

jobucks

MistressPandora wrote: »

I still haven't had the test yet (welfare people are putting me through the wringer) but hopefully soon.
In the meantime, I'm still on 2 antihistamines a day and putting on a lot of lotion. There's a new Irish version of Zirtek out called Cetirelief, which is made by Eireceutica. 30 pills for a tenner, which is a bargain!

The other lotions I'm trying with some success is a shower gel called Arveeno (should come with a warning though, it's like pouring liquid butter on yourself and makes the shower a bit of a death trap), Dream Cream from Lush and Burnshield, which works best of all.

Sadly, these are all temporary solutions and I would really like to find the cause. I'm beginning to believe that maybe I'm allergic to myself. On the other hand, I've learnt that I can make art on my skin!

EDIT: Amdublin, the only antihistamines I found to be non-drowsy are Zirtek and its ilk, like the one I mentioned above. Again, sadly, if the itchies (as I call them) are really bad, it'll wear you out anyway.

Hi OP, I've been doing a lot of research lately on Zirtek and the like, I've been suffering with chronic idiopathic urticaria now just short of 12 months and have been taking zirtek every day. Within this time I have found that I have gained nearly a stone in weight along with other digestive problems and would nearly say that depression was creeping in also. It only came to my mind the other day to google " zirtek weightgain" when I did this I came across thousands of posts from people who had suffered terrible side-effects from it, although the zirtek did appear to be doing it's job. http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=19835&name=ZYRTEC An interesting affect is that there are also withdrawal symtoms attached with zirtek if skipped for 24 hours... the biggest withdrawal symtom was ITCHING... I found this absolutely unbelievable!!!
I stopped taking zirtek nearly 2 weeks ago now, for the 1st few days my urticaria was intense (or was I just withdrawing from zirtek!) now nearly 2 weeks later I am having fewer and fewer attacks a day.. Food for thought!... I'm now thinking my urticaria might not have been chronic, but maybe acute and could have dissappeared months ago and I might not have known it due to the itching brought on almost certainly by zirtek ???

Anyway on another note I went to see a knesiologist (think that's how you spell it) yesterday and she has put me on a course of homeopathic thingybobs for a month so I'll report back on that in Nov

Sorry for the long post, but thought you might find the info interesting!:D

MistressPandora

That's an interesting thought, I never considered that before. I generally try to put off taking the antihistamine unless it's REALLY bad (I'm the same way with aspirin). I noticed an increase in hunger alright but no major weight gain.

I'm going to try a 3 day detox on Monday, no antihistamines for 3 days. I have the weekend to prepare myself for an incredibly itchy and painful 72 hours but I'll let you know if it worked or not.

Just out of curiousity though, if withdrawals symptoms from Zirtek can cause itching, then I wonder why the intensity of the itching varies from day to day? Some days I don't need to take antihistamine, other days I'm back up to 2 of them.

Has anyone else noticed this with their own urticaria?

jobucks

MistressPandora wrote: »

That's an interesting thought, I never considered that before. I generally try to put off taking the antihistamine unless it's REALLY bad (I'm the same way with aspirin). I noticed an increase in hunger alright but no major weight gain.

I'm going to try a 3 day detox on Monday, no antihistamines for 3 days. I have the weekend to prepare myself for an incredibly itchy and painful 72 hours but I'll let you know if it worked or not.

Just out of curiousity though, if withdrawals symptoms from Zirtek can cause itching, then I wonder why the intensity of the itching varies from day to day? Some days I don't need to take antihistamine, other days I'm back up to 2 of them.

Has anyone else noticed this with their own urticaria?

Yep I used to notice the same myself, but doc said sometime the antihistamine will last longer than other times... sometimes 1 pill would last 2 days, sometimes half a day!

I'd say if you want to give it a go at the detox thing, you'll need to try for more than 3 days, they say it can take up to 3 weeks for an antihistamine to totally leave your bloodstream...that's coming from some of the web-sites i've read

littlefriend

My friend had this BADLY for about a year and a half. Had seen various Doctors and been on lots of medication but nothing helped. She ended up going to a homeopath and was completely cured within 2 weeks. It was an incredible turnaround. She had gotten depressed with it and dressed to hide it etc. Anyway, the homeopath cleared it up for her and she has not had 1 flare up since.
Worth a try anyway. She's like a different person.

MistressPandora

Jobucks: 3 WEEKS? Whoa! I'll attempt the 3 day detox first, to see if I can handle that hurdle first!

littlefriend: did you friend ever find out what the actual cause was?
I've been advised by loads of people to do various things but not all of it works.
Some days I do get depressed about it but I try not to let it get to me too much.
I'd consider homoeopathy but I'd still have to wait for a while until I'm sorted for a bit of money.

jobucks

Got my homeopathic remedies in the post today from New Vista and Kineseologist told me to take them for a month... so will let you know how I get on.. I'm feeling 100% more positive though since I gave up on the Zirtek even though I am breaking out it's not as often as I used to and it's a lot tamer... fingers crossed

littlefriend

MistressPandora wrote: »

Jobucks:
littlefriend: did you friend ever find out what the actual cause was?

I'd consider homoeopathy but I'd still have to wait for a while until I'm sorted for a bit of money.

Hiya, first off I think a visit to a Homeopath is around 60 euro..I'd say you could get a reduction on that price given the current situation with the economy etc. Your remedy should be included in that price.

I think the Doctor told my friend that it was stress related - which might make sense as she gets very stressed about things from time to time. The homeopath agreed with that as far as I can remember but also said it had something to do with mosquito bites. [my friend gets eaten alive by them when abroad].

MistressPandora

I'm on day 2 of a 3 day detox from antihistamines and I'm so incredibly itchy

I'm going to try the 3 week detox next month, when I don't have a score of birthdays and weddings to attend but I can tell you this, I'm not looking forward to it. I could barely sleep last night because my back felt like it was on fire and the swelling on my hands kept reminding me of the Galapagos Islands.

littlefriend: my urticaria did start out as stress initially, but I removed most of the stress factors. I'm actually extremely relaxed and chilled out these days which is why it's very infuriating.

Jobucks: good luck with that and please keep us updated on how you're doing!

MistressPandora

Well, financial issues have finally been sorted out and yesterday I was all excited about finally getting the test done. It turns out that I was grossly misinformed, the test only checks for food allergies and nothing else. Which is hugely irritating because I already went through the list of foods and through deductive reasoning, I've crossed all of them off my list (apart from milk and coffee).
It p*ssed me off a little truthfully, I thought I was getting somewhere.

I've considered homoeopathy and I've researched it but I just really doubt that'll work for me.
It would seem like I'm back at square one, but the next time I'm at my doctors, I'll see what can be done with the medical card.

On the upside, thanks to jobucks, I'm no longer on 1-2 antihistamines a day. I can go 2 and a half to 3 days before I *have* to take one. I'll keep it up!

How's everyone else doing?

MizzLolly

I am allergic to E colours in food and to bio-washing detergent. I cannot have sweets or food with E numbers and I can only sleep in sheets which have been washed in non-bio detergent. Suffering with it like a mofo at the moment after having a bag of jelly tots this week

Maybe watch your diet and keep it as pure as you can, no foods high in colours and preservatives etc. And don't use much conditioner in your wash. I can now use the white comfort but a few years ago I'd have been in a bad way from it. Just try keeping everything you come into contact with as pure as you can have it.

MistressPandora

Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know that I went back to my doctor and he prescribed Ucerax (which is hydroxyzine hydrochloride) for my uriticaria. I've never heard of it before so I did a bit of research and found out that it's a first generation antihistamines and it has treated urticaria since the 50's, so hopefully some good will come of this!

Apparently I better prepare to be very sleepy though, it's 25mg per tablet!

Mizzlolly, I actually don't use conditioner for my clothes so I'm ok there and I've gone through my diet over and over again but still can't find the source of the issue. I've changed the washing liquid back to something I know doesn't irritate my skin (I have sensitive skin anyway).

Still, I'll see how this stuff works and keep you updated.

CathyMoran

Just a question - do you find that your uticaria varies with your monthy cycle (am guessing from your user name that you are a woman) - I know that it has certainly been the case with me.

MistressPandora

CathyMoran wrote: »

Just a question - do you find that your uticaria varies with your monthy cycle (am guessing from your user name that you are a woman) - I know that it has certainly been the case with me.

Nope, it was pretty bad every day since August, though before that it was sporadic (with no set pattern). However, these new tablets seem to be working a charm, I occasionally get red marks on my skin but it doesn't itch anymore and the marks go away after about 10-15 minutes. The drowsiness isn't so bad and quite useful if I want to go to sleep

CathyMoran

MistressPandora wrote: »

Nope, it was pretty bad every day since August, though before that it was sporadic (with no set pattern). However, these new tablets seem to be working a charm, I occasionally get red marks on my skin but it doesn't itch anymore and the marks go away after about 10-15 minutes. The drowsiness isn't so bad and quite useful if I want to go to sleep

Mine are kind of funny, it took me years to realise that there is a link to my monthly cycle...if it had worked for you it would have been great. I kept a similar daily diary (excel is great) for tracking that and other things.

ash23

Hmmm, I get this but I never knew what it was. Tried explaning to my doctor that it wasnt hives but large, irregular lumps which were itchy and raised. I only started getting them when I was 26.


I get them on my elbows, thighs and buttocks.
I got them every night for about 4 weeks last winter. And nothing then for nearly a year but had a breakout recently. Heat seems to do it. I was leaning on a radiator and broke out all over my arm where I had been leaning. It then spread to my thighs.

No idea what sets it off though. Thankfully it isn't too bad.I can't imagine having to live with it every day.

Haven't tried anything for it but I have Zirtek so must try that if it flares up again.

MistressPandora

ash23 wrote: »

Hmmm, I get this but I never knew what it was. Tried explaning to my doctor that it wasnt hives but large, irregular lumps which were itchy and raised. I only started getting them when I was 26.


I get them on my elbows, thighs and buttocks.
I got them every night for about 4 weeks last winter. And nothing then for nearly a year but had a breakout recently. Heat seems to do it. I was leaning on a radiator and broke out all over my arm where I had been leaning. It then spread to my thighs.

No idea what sets it off though. Thankfully it isn't too bad.I can't imagine having to live with it every day.

Haven't tried anything for it but I have Zirtek so must try that if it flares up again.

They are actually hives (that can join up) and there's quite a few different types and causes of urticaria, like aquaneaous (sp?) urticaria is being allergic to water, which would include your own sweat. Sounds bizarre but it's true! Heat and coldness are normally the main cause of the itching which, from reading your post, would seem to be your main factors.

If you keep a Zirtek with you wherever you go, you should be ok though

ash23

Thanks. It does seem to be heat so I should probably brace myself for a few more breakouts with the winter and central heating etc.

My daughter suffers from allergies so I always have a supply of antihistamines in the house!

MistressPandora

Just a quick update...

Well, the Ucerax worked. Until my prescription ended and the itching came back with a vengeance. It's a short term solution but alas, now I'm back to where I was in the beginning...