Hospital IV treatment not helping

My wife had what we think was a food allergy about 24hrs ago, after eating melon and then exercising, characterized by severe hives all over her body.  She has lots of grass/pollen allergies and has sometimes gotten a raspy voice and mild red spots after eating melon before.  She took some OTC antihistamines but couldn't sleep, and the hives were really bad this morning, so we went to the hospital, where they gave her an IV with antihistamine and cortisone.  The Dr. prescribed two type of antihistamines, loratadine and dexchlorpheniramine, as well as a once daily steroid prednisolone.  A couple hours after returning from the hospital, the hives worsened.  They are spreading across her body and the itching in unbearable.  Solarcaine, aloe, cool baths, etc. have little effect.  This evening we returned to the hospital, and they gave her the same antihistimine and steroid IV.  Tonight, the hives are still moving around and the itching is terrible.  Her voice is raspy, but no breathing problems.  Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

The mainstay of treatment of hives is antihistamine which may be necessary for prolonged periods (in excess of 6 weeks). Double conventional doses of these non-sedating antihistamines such as Cetirizine, Loratadine, Acrivastine and Fexofenadine may be needed to get symptom relief. Sedating antihistamines such as Chlorphenamine or Hydroxyzine are used at night to get urticaria control. Short courses of oral cortisone or steroids are taken for short periods (one to three days) to settle more severe symptoms.
You may take Vitamin C along with the prescribed treatment. Vitamin C is a general anti-allergy supplement. It helps stabilize mast cells so they are less likely to release histamine.

So the doctors are prescribing the right treatment to your wife.

If the symptoms persist, then you can consult an immunologist. He may start with immunosuppressive drugs.

If the hives don’t go after 6 wks of treatment also, then it can be a case of chronic urticaria which needs further evaluation as it may be due to auto antibodies.

Take care and God bless.

[dpvwia]

I didn't know about the Vitamin C - thanks.  It's reassuring to know we're on the right path.  Just today (2nd day after initial reaction), her symptoms are starting to improve slowly.

Thanks very much,

Dave