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Chronic hives

by bwb, Jul 25, 2006 12:00AM
I have had hives for almost three years now. Every antihistimine and stomach pill (that has a histimine blocker) has been tried. The only relief I have gotten was when I went on Cyclosporine for six moths. This is an antirejection drug. I do not want to stay on this, but have been off of it for five months now, and hives are starting to return. Sometimes they are red splotches on my skin, other times they are thick welts, both itch unreal. My eyes, lips and feet swell also. My eyes and lips swell till I look like someone has beat me...Any sugestions???
Member Comments (36)

by star queen, Jul 26, 2006 12:00AM
It sounds like you have done a lot to control or get rid of the hives, but I don't hear anything about finding the cause of the hives.  Hives are generally caused by something you are eating.  You can see an allergist to get tested, or you can remove one food or food group out of the diet for at least 2 weeks and see if that helps get rid of the hives.  A food group in this instance means "wheat", "rice" or "oats" products.  Products with "splenda", "aspartame", or any other sugar substitutes. Products with common additives, etc.  I am not refering to the food pyramids.  HIves can also be caused from contact with an allergen.  Check out pets, makeup, skin products, soaps, detergents, cleaners, etc.  It may take a long time at one product at a time, but something to try.

by baby1234, Jul 26, 2006 12:00AM
I have chronic hives also. I have had them everyday since May 2005. I am similar to you in that the severity may fluctuate, but the itching stays the same. I get them on my palms, tops and bottoms of my feet, stomach, face, neck, arms, legs, and even on my scalp.



The strangest thing is that I am trying to get pregnant (with little success) so I started clomid and gonal f. I tell you that I didn't have a single hive the entire time I was on them (14 days). It was wonderful. Can't tell me that these things are "stress" when I didn't get them during one of the most stressful times I've had.



Then I went on progesterone, and lo and behold, hives. They aren't quite as bad, and they go away within 10-20 minutes instead of staying for 1-3 days. I brought it up to my doctor and he seems to think that I may be sensitive to hormones or that my levels are out of balance (which also may be why I can't get prego.). Of course he says that he hasn't seen the hives because of this before, but he said that doesn't mean that it can't happen.



My point is that maybe you should check your hormone balance. Three years is a long time to suffer...I totally feel for you. I hope you can beat this soon!

by nurse practitioner, Jul 27, 2006 12:00AM
i recently began to break out in hives nightly  when i evaluated all of my foods i thought i was allergic to fish/shellfish  eliminated those and finally realized that I was allergic to the blue dye in my thyroid medication levoxyl  i changed meds and my m.d. put me on allegra and i haven't had hives since  check the labels on all of your medications and food to see if food dyes are a possible culprit.

by boninclyde, Jul 27, 2006 12:00AM
Have had hives for almost four years now (November). Had ever test imaginable. Nothing. I always believed it was hormone related because they were worst 5/8 days before period and 5/8 days after period. Doctors said my hormone level was fine though. Some doctors said hives were caused by the very thing they were using to treat me with, predinisone.  Had shot in foot for some pain I was having. Broke out that night. I was also on celebrex. Its been 9 months since I have had any prednisone. Still have some hives but a lot less. Doctors said it takes about 10/12 months to get all prednisone out of the body. Waiting to see what happens next. By the way I was also told stress but I baried my father, father n law and brother n law with no hives.

by lazydog, Aug 05, 2006 12:00AM
To: bwb
Hi.  Hives can be a symptom of thyroid dysfunction.  My son had chronic hives and I at first thought he was allergic to something...but turns out it hypothyroid related.

...J

by eirrod, Aug 15, 2006 12:00AM
I have had chronic hives since 1992. I have tried EVERYTHING!!

I have totally stopped eating to see if that would help...no.

I tried cutting out and differentthings such as flowers,soap, laundry soap,shampoos,pets,sheets,only wear cotton. NOTHING works. I HAVE been to an allergist, she did soooo many tests I thought I was a human pin cushion. The ONLY time I get any relief is with a very strong dose of prednisone. ( Other steriods don't always work ) I have tried everything. I take 6 benedryl everyday. At least it helps witht he itching a little.

I swell to the point that I look abnormal. it could be my hands feet legs back head eyes mouth tongue, and they get into my throat. I cannot count how many times I have been taken to the ER because I cannot breathe. THey even get into my internal organs, ( I can feel them inside my stomache and chest ) I often get chest pains because my insides are swollen. What else can I do? I have gained almost 60 pounds from being on steroids.

I feel horrible! I also suffer from Fibro, spinal disk disease,migraines, etc. But it not the meds I take because I have not taken these meds the whole time, only since 2004. I am out of answers and so are my doctors. My hives not only itch but when I swell I swell to the point of severe pain. It feels like my skin is ripping open! Please help me!

by Music, Music, Music, Aug 15, 2006 12:00AM
I battled chronic hives for a couple of years so I would love to help someone overcome it.  I had great results taking green tea tablets.  I don't feel that it was a coincidence, but I have scarcely had a single hive since I discovered this herbal remedy.  I have taken them now for two weeks with a good outcome.  Good luck, everyone!

by parabec, Sep 11, 2006 12:00AM
I have to agree with the last post. since i started drinking green tea..3 cups a day..my hives had dissapeared...but since i stopped taking green tea due to trying to concieve it has returned....so i think its more than a coincidence!

try it

by bluesgirl, Sep 18, 2006 12:00AM
I am allergic to blue dye. Food, drug, cosmetics