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Chronic Hives..driving me nuts!!

I'm a 29 y.o female who has had hives 9 months.  When I first saw my doctor he gave me a course of steroids, that didn't help at all.  I have tried all sorts of antihistamines... Zyrtec, Claritin and now i'm trying Chlor-Trimeton. All of them not helping much anymore.  I have read article after article about hives and the more I read the more down I feel about it.. not being able to find a cause.
I have had an allergy test and I have high allergy to dust mites.  How can you totally free your home of dust mites!  I have used Tea Tree oil in my washing machine for my towels, bed sheets and clothes.  I have had a blood test, which was pointless.  I'm not sure what else to do.. you forget what it was like to be itch-free!  My hives started on my back.. extreme fiery red itch.  But recently it hasn't been on my back at all.. its now my arms and my legs, occasionally my chest and tummy.  Extremely itchy, very warm and alot of welts.  Its driving me nuts!! People say "it will take its course", well i can say for myself and i bet alot of others, its not that easy.. it is EXTREMELY uncomfortable.. extremely!
I have read about Quercetin, a natural antihistamine.  Has anyone tried this at all and has helped relieve there hives?  I have also read Mint helps and also Sandalwood oil helps too.  I prefer natural remedies personally but I will do whatever for them to go away for good.  
Has anyone had relief from doing a Total Detoxification program at all? A remember reading a gentleman's log and he had gone to India for AYURVEDA treatment.. i can't seem to find his log anymore though.  He left a website http://www.ayurveda.org/

I would appreciate any help or information that anyone can give me. I know how you all feel out there!  It's not fun. Best of Luck everyone.
Thanks again.
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Avatar universal
Ask your dermatologist about Clobetasol Propionate Cream, USB 0.05%. You need a Rx.
I’ve found some relief with it.
Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I broke out in hives about 4 months ago when I had Candid v6 antifungal medication. And ever since the hives doesn’t seem to go away. It pushed me to take an antihistamine daily and I even tried steroids for over a week. after the dosage was over the hives came back again. I was luckily referred to an Ayurveda doctor by one of my cousins. He put me on a low histamine diet. Sure I lost almost 6 kgs in just one month which am not so happy about but atleast now I know  what to eat and what not to. Before this diet , even with xyzal or Allegra the previous night I used to break out in the morning due to the foods that I ate which am not supposed to. But with this low histamine diet for over a month now am able to avoid that morning episode of hives. My hives is not yet cured or gone and I still have to take an antihistamine along with the Ayurveda medicines but am hopeful than before because I know what’s causing my triggers even when my antihistamine dose is still on. That part is controlled atleast.
No tomato
No lentils
No legumes and pulses
No citrus
No fried foods or packaged foods
I personally gave up dairy  and coffee/tea

I just eat mung bean (mung dal or moong dal) and vegetables that grow above the soil. With rice and wheat.

Am Using only coconut oil for tempering, sautéing. Strictly no fried stuff

I am just sharing this here hoping some one may get some idea from my reply. But pls do required research and due diligence before following any diet as some diets may lead to mal nutrition, I heard. Please talk to your doctor for your own low histamine diet. That may help to an extent.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I tried herbal remedies with no relief. The only sort of homemade remedy that relieved the itch for me was oatmeal baths. I would put steel-cut oatmeal in a nylon, tie it up and hang it over the faucet.
The only total relief I have got was when I started the Xolair injection. Have been doing this now for about 8 months and have only had 3 or 4 hives since.
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Avatar universal
i see no one has mentioned this..... XOLAIR. it is meant for people who have chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives for no reason that last longer than 6 weeks). It is a subcutaneous shot, you get one in each arm once a month. I dont have CIU, i have solar urticaria... hives from the sun, and the XOLAIR did not solve my problem, it helped me be outside longer than 3 minutes, but it did not solve my problem. But i did not have CIU. My friend had CIU and took xolair and it was cleared up within a week of the first dosage. Look into it and see if its right for you.
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Avatar universal
After reading all the problems listed below it seems that nobody has read "Flood your body with Oxygen" by Ed McBain.  15,000 doctors in other lands have cured millions of people with O2 Oxygen and O3 Ozone.  The cures are listed as Cancers, COPD, Skin Problems, Stomach problems, Urology problems, AIDS, Ebola, Liver and Kidney problems, Alzheimers, Senility, etc., and a host of illnesses.  He cites studies and testimonials for all the above.
I, personally, have cured my own prostate cancer with my Oxygen Concentrator feeding my Ozone machine with the Ozone bubbles in a glass of water for an hour. Every day.  My (Gleasons Score 9 of 10) meant it was metasticizing rapidly and a PSA of 135!!  Now my PSA is 3.9 and I'm still taking my ozone water each morning with my vitamin pills. The way I see it, O3 has saved my life.  Checkout the book and see what it can do for you.
***@****
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Avatar universal
Did you get your test results? I have chronic hives and anxiety as well. Are they related? I have tried ex anti histamines lotions and remedies. I have managed to get rid of them for a week only. And they are back now . It's weird I don't know how I got rid of them. Hope you are well.
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Avatar universal
It is a difficult concept but 90% of the sufferers here have auto immune urticaria, our own bodies are attacking our sub dermal layer of skin, it's basically a runaway immune system response like many other that cause a variety of hard to treat diseases. The triggers for this are very unlikely to be foods, infections etc or if an infection has triggered it then it has a life of its own, curing the infection won't stop the urticaria. There may be no obvious cause or a variiety of causes. I found mine which is the hormone insulin produced in hypogylemia but everyone's can be different. There is no cure, i control mine, more or less, bya low cal diet and taking anti histamines. Unless you want to risk your health by taking meds that dampen down your immune system that's the best you can hope for. cheers
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Avatar universal
I am a type one diabetic and went my first 10 month round of chronic hives back when I was in college.  It followed being scratched by my friend's pet iguana, though no doctor's could find any connection.  They assured me the only thing iguanas are known to carry is salmonella which doesn't manifest itself in hives.  After taking so many benadryl a day my hands were shaking (I was also on perscription strength hydroxyzine, allegra, and zantac), I finally convinced my university doctor to give me a medrol dose pack.  The other doctor's I was seeing in two different states would not perscribe steroids due to my diabetes.  This doc just told me to watch my sugars and we gave it a shot.  After the five day treatment, the hives were gone for about a week.  Then they came back.  He gave me a second five day course of treatment.  They disappeared for a little over ten years.  I've gotten married and had two children...no hives.  Then, out of the blue, in August 2011, I broke out again.  I've had hives pretty much every day since then.  This batch of doctors have told me that in 90%+ of all cases of  chronic hives, they never determine a cause.  I'm being treated with hydroxyzine and zantac again with benadryl when necessary.  They tried me on three different types of steroids, one I took for over three months which was a blood sugar nightmare and caused me to gain over 20 pounds.  Nothing seemed to be helping.  Then my sister mentioned reading something about aspartame being linked to cases of hives.  I figured I'd give it a shot and cut it out of my diet.  It's almost like magic--I stopped drinking diet sodas and consuming any other food products that contain aspartame and viola--no hives.  I have an occassional bump or two, but nothing like the head to toe coverage I'd been experiencing for over a year.  It's only been six days so far, but I have hope that once the rest of the aspartame gets out of my system I may remain hive free.  Here's hoping.
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Avatar universal
  I also have what the ARMY called Urticaria Angeiodema. I never during my active outdoor life had this prior to service. I joined in 2001 and was discharged for this in 2003. During my career I was told I was getting bit by spiders for a while then they told me they didn't know what it was. Up until I was getting ready to deploy to Iraq they didn't care they noticed when I have a prescription for 20 epi-pens they wouldn't let me go. So I was discharged. Now 10 years later I continue to get them chronically almost everyday. The only fix is prednisone (steroid) pills which I've been told is bad for the body. I've talked with my current doctor and he saidhe can't say the military caused this but something they gave me could have effected my system in a way I get this now. The first time I had this was after getting the row of shots in 40th AG prior to basic. So with time they do not go away mine has only gotten worse.
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Avatar universal
I just started developing this hives and at first I freaked out.
This is a quick fix atleast stops the itching and burning for a while and must the times the hives go away.
They do come back,that's why it's a quick fix but you can continue with your day.
Splash white Vinegar on your body or go in the bathtub and pour a good amount in there.
I usually apply it where the welts and hives are and they stop itching immediately.
Just be careful because your body is absorbing the acidity of Vinegear.
It says to use apple cider but a Dr. Friend of mine advises I use reg white vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar,contains to much sugar.

Good luck to you all!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi have you noticed a connection between insulin levels and your urticaria, i say that because insulin is a powerful (and very necessary) hormone that in excess can 'shock' the body and is a possible urticaria trigger, i'm not suggesting you stop maintaining insulin but that you work on better regulation and see if that helps
cheers
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Montgomery,

Its not the depression that causes the urticaria but the other way around, the release histamine affects the brain chemicals, it lowers available seratonin
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Avatar universal
Hi here from Montgomery.  Have had chronic hives going on 18 years now.  Will try to abstain from soft drinks altogether.  Only thing that keeps me from itching is Zyrtec.  Been taking that all of these years after going through countless medicines that didn'work.  Went to a dermatologist who thinks depression causes this and had me on all kinds of stuff - well the itching continued.  Went to an allergist here in Montgomery and he said that was garbage and immoral to think that depression causes this.  It's like you are the cause of this and it's all your fault.  He said continue what works to keep the itching under control.  But being on Zyrtec all this time worries me.  I will try that approach w/ the soft drinks.
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Avatar universal
my husband has chronic hives for 30 years we have tried everything i mean everything. at this moment it is ok he has been taking homeopathic remedys  weleda urtica  you can take up to six tablets a day andalso quercetin one tablet twicw aday we think this is helping but dont know time will tell. i know how you feel. keep trying homeopathic remedys anything else  that we think will help we will keep you informed so good luck keep  your chin up from josie and gus
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Avatar universal
What's. Hives?
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Avatar universal
What is this website about? Really? I'm doing a science fair project about chlorophyll and this came up!

This is really confusing!!!!!!!!!!
I don't lke doing science fair project.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yeah, I hear ya. Bestoink here in Atlanta. I was drinking lots of Diet cokes along with coke zeros thinking they were ok since from experience I know the yellow and clear ones-Mountain Dew,Sprite,etc. give me hives and swelling big time. It took a while, I love sodas, but the hives and swelling started from the Diet cokes. My lips and face swelled up like a monster! My cat ran from me! Listen people, quit drinking sodas all together!! Don't take a chance. I've even gotten hives from drinking lots of regular sugar cokes. For some people-me- sodas are poison! I love sodas more than anyone,too much, but they give me hives. You want to stop the hives? QUIT DRINKING SODAS! THEY ARE POISON!  Drink water only and your hives will go away in a few days.
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Avatar universal
Did you ever get tested by Genova Diagnostics?  Did they find anything?
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1510811 tn?1290140466
Please try an ayurvedic medicine called KYNATOMINE from a company called J&J DeChane from India. It is 100%herbal (ayurvedic) with NO SIDE EFFECTS. Check online for it. Order it on the net. You need to have 2 tablets 3-4 times a day for at least a month. It is actually a medicine for the liver but it CURES hives especially of unknown causes. There is another medicine called HEMOPLEX from the same company which helps in hives. You need to have 2 tablets 3 times a day with hot water and honey. Don't try both simultaneously. Try the Kynatomine first. Believe me, TRY IT!
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Avatar universal
Hello everyone.

This looks like a great site.

I thought I would share with you the story of our suffering over the last 8 months. My wife has had some intense itchy tiny bumps on her legs and arms and eventually her torso. It seems to have started with some bed bug bites that she picked up in New York city. Initially, the bites were on her legs. She described it as intense itching. She went to her doctor and was recommended the usual OTC topical steroid creams. She tried all of them with little benefit. She found that Sarna helped a bit to "cool" things down.

Eventually, she saw a dermatologist who diagnosed her with idiopathic urticaria. The MD gave her a steriod shot and some doxyclicline antibiotic for 4 weeks. It seemed to help a little, but once the antibiotics was completed, her itch was back in full force.

After a few months of continued suffering, she started to sneeze and have congestion problems adding to her already itchy condition. After suffering for 7 months, trying all of the OTC antihistamines and a few prescription antihistamines, her symptoms continue if not worse.

A few weeks ago she saw an allergist who did a skin allergy test. The test showed her to be allergic to grass and certain trees, so the allergist is recommending allergy shots. Don't know if this will help her.

Just wanted to know if others have had this problem stemming from bed bug-type bites. Anyone?
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Avatar universal
It just occured to me that I have been taking an Acai supplement and maybe I had an allergic reaction to that?

I just found this link to other acai berry sufferers and they are all breaking out in hives!!

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-Social/Allergic-Reaction-to-acai-berry-supplement/show/594244
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Avatar universal
I am so happy to have found this forum I can't believe it goes back 3 years.  I have always had allergies, but 3 weeks ago I had flu like symptoms that I took Coricidin (similar to Nyquil but for people with high blood pressure) for.  I was able to sleep without coughing or sneezing but woke up feeling more fatigued.  The past 3 weeks I have been feeling really weak.  Then, with some co-workers we had lunch at a Swedish restaurant in Greenwich village and I had some raw herring which came plain, with a yogurt looking dressing, and another with pickled dressing.  A few hours after I ate there, I broke out in hives around my arm pits from walking around the city.  The hives started to grow all over my back, buttocks, arms and legs.  By 9pm I was covered in hives.  I got home and took 2 benedryl which helped me sleep and the hives seemed to settle down.  I got up at 5am for work and the hives came back full force.  I took Benedryl 4 times during the workday probably every 2 hours which seemed to be when it would wear out and the hives would start showing up all over my body.  I woke up this morning with chills and I thought fever, went to my Dr. in Elmwood Park NJ, Barry Greenspan.  He said since I didn't have a fever and had no color in my cough, he was not going to prescribe me antibiotics.  He said it sounds like I got a food allergy, but he thinks the Coricidin I was taking for my cold might have been the culprit too.  Then he said there could be other causes and the only way to find out was to take blood tests.  He will be running my blood tests for allergies, food poisoning, lupus, etc.. I will keep you posted.  Dr. Greenspan prescribled Bromfed to me for my cough and hives and it keeps the hives down but it comes back in about 3 hours.  

I am mortified at the idea that this issue could last for months or years as I have read you all talk about.  It is probably one of the most painful illnesses I have ever gotten.  Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and I will keep the blog up to date on my findings to see if I can help out.
Helpful - 0
1474975 tn?1287064017
I have had cronic hives for years and all doctors do is prescribe steroids for me, about 8 rounds and 20 pound weight gain later they are gone for maybe a year and then back they would come.  This last time a new doctor told me to also take Benadryl and Zantac 150.  Last week I started to have hives so I decided to go to a natural health store to try natural ways to get rid of the hives. They suggested the Quercetin and Betaine Hydrochloride so I took the Benadryl, Zantac, Quercetin and Betaine Hydrochloride and NO steroids.  Insted of taking months to clear up they cleared up in 10 days and have not spread to another part of my body.

A product I have found that stops the itchy, burning, stinging  is a product from LUSH it is call Fresh Farmacy and is a cleanser bar for sensitive skin it has powdered calamine, cammomile, and tea tree oil.  I wet it and  rub it to a paste over my skin and let it dry.  Stays on for hours and also dries up the hives.  I had hives on my hands, at home I would have the dried pink paste and by morning the welts were down. Washed my hands because I didn't want it on my hands at work.  8 hours later the welt was starting to come back, got home put on a thick layer of Fresh Farmacy and the next morning the welt was down and it never came back. And no steriods.

I do not drink diet pop.  I do drink diet tonic water that has saccarine in it because I am a diabetic and the quinne it keeps me from having leg cramps and helps greatly with my restless leg syndrome.  Arn't nerves a wonderful thing!
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Avatar universal
I just read all the above posts from 05/15/2007 until the last one in 2010.  I have been suffering for one year and don't know that I can offer any suggestions, but one treatment was very effective.  When my symptoms began a year ago, they consisted of itchy skin with red skin and/or red bumps  --- large raise areas, not small discreet bumps.  After several months, the intense itching led to a burning sensation -- like an intense sunburn.  By this point, I had visited several dermatologists and tried all the usual suspects of anti-histamines -- Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra, Doxepin, Hydroxyzine.  Then my symptoms became quite debilitating -- the water from the showerhead HURT, my jeans hurt around my waist, a bra was uncomfortable.  I ended up with a dermatologist at Duke - who prescribed Cyclosporine, an organ, anti-rejection medicaiton.  I took 300 mg daily and it worked.  I was back wearing clothes, exercising, and being a normal person.  My aunt is a pediatric allergist/immunologist at Duke, so she referred me to an adult allergist/immunologist.  Also, back when this started, I saw an allergist  (no allergies) and did blood work and was found to have hypothyroidism and am now on Synthroid.  My doctor is now weaning me off the Cyclosporine, which was serious side effects with prolonged use.  I am suffering miserably now -- it has been two weeks since I started to taper down the dosage and my skin burns, itches, and hurts! So I am very frustrated and disappointed that my symptoms returned with a vengeance when I tried to wean off the meds.  I have e-mailed my doctor with photos this Labor Day weekend to see if she can work me in this week.   Good luck -   I, too, would like to find a definite cause or etiology but am hopeful.  There is a good article on chronic urticaria on American Society of Doctor of osteopaths website -- basically it agrees that rarely a cause is found and you just have to accept this - I'm not ready too yet!
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