Chronic hives

[bwb]

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???

[sharpeshick]

I've had chronics hives for 16 years.  I have a thyroid goiter, but all of my thyroid tests show in the normal range.  My autoimmune specialist is convinced the hives are related to the thryoid.  I have been on every traditional treatment....prednisone, strong antihistamines....nothing works....nothing helps with the intense itch and swelling.  I'm going to ask to go on thyroid meds....I am desperate.  I hope you don't suffer as long as I have.

[mrein004]

You definitely should go to an allergist and get that checked out. Most fermented foods (aka alcohol) apparently have high levels of histamines in them. I'm 22 and having a problem with hives as well, starting a histamine restricted diet today

[mrein004]

I was born with a multitude of allergies so when I had my first outbreak of hives when I was eighteen I wasn't entirely surprised. I just assumed my boyfriend at the time had washed his sheets in tide; however, for the past two years I have lost the boyfriend but gained these unsightly welts into my almost daily life. It started off with once every two to three months and has increased to every day since November 2011. Fortunately for me my hives aren't that itchy but they do make up for it in the dramatics department. They will start out as as small a  pin ***** and eventually the masses swell, redden, and morph in with one another. I get them EVERYWHERE. I have also had it a few times where my lips and eyes have swelled. I haven't found the cause of them yet and as like everyone else on this forum I have been to at least six doctors and they all mostly say the same thing  "switch you soaps, detergents, and makeup, watch what you are eating and it could be cats or dogs". There was a period in 2011 where I was living in London and hive free for those three months. I guess I just wanted to post some suggestions my latest doctor gave me that I am about to try.

1) If you are on prednisone PLEASE do some research. Steroids are really bad for you and I usually refuse to take them (only under the worst outbreaks have I gotten the shots)
2) I have read some of the posts on this forum about green tea and when I was in London I was drinking breakfast tea daily which I had never done before. There is most likely no connection but anything is worth mentioning.
3) Also, I wasn't using and artificial sweeteners when I was overseas (again regular sugar in the tea) which seems to give some people hives.
4) There are websites who link hives to thyroid disease and lupus, check your family history
5). Try all antihistamine brands, they apparently all differ in how they block histamines so it's worth a shot.  
6) See a dermatologist AS WELL AS an allergist. Some people use off the wall treatments that work such as medications for Crohn's disease.

For the past week I have switched to Dreft (baby laundry detergent), haven't washed my hair or body with any form of soap (ya gross but trust me my alternative at the moment is much worse),and  have taken artificial sweeteners back out of my diet (only 48 hours). There has yet to be a break from the hives(I was on prednisone and benadryl for the week and I'm still breaking out) but I started Zyrtec 48 hours ago so hopefully that works. I don't want to be on medication for the rest of my life but as everyone knows hives are really debilitating and I at this point I just feel helpless.

[summer08488]

LORD I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ABNORMAL THING TO GET BUT I SEE THAT IT IS NOT I AM NEW TO THIS CLUB IF YOU WOULD CALL IT THAT I HAVE HAD HIVES FOR 4 WEEKS NOW I WENT TO THE ER 3 TIMES TO THE DOCTORS OFFICE 2 TIMES AND TO THE DERMATOLIGIST 1 TIME AND THEY ARE JUST NOW FIGURING OUT IT IS HIVES THEY WENT FROM AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER TO A FUNGUS IT HAS BEEN A ROCKY ROAD FOR ME THESE 4 WEEKS TO JUST FIND OUT IT IS HIVES THIS STUFF IS NO JOKE MINE IS VERY PAINFUL I DONT KNOW ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE BUT IT ***** I HAVE TRYED EVERYTHING AND THE HIVES MAY GO AWAY FOR A BIT BUT FIND THERE WAY BACK I HAVE HAD TO BE OUT OF WORK FOR 3 WEEKS BECAUSE THEY GOT SO BAD SO THIS IS MY INSIGHT ON THESE HORRIBLE THINGS

[Seanson]

I, too, have been suffering from hives in the last few months. Breakouts of welts mostly on my legs and arms, but on various parts of my body, including some throat swelling and swelling in the inside of my nose. From reading this forum and many others, I believe the causes and reactions are very individual and what may work for one person may not work for another. From what I can gather, hives are a reaction to some minor to major imbalances in the body. I have been a bartender/server for years and like to indulge once in awhile and I think that is catching up with me at 47 years of age. Along with a diet that has included too much sugar, high acid foods, not enough fibre (severe constipation ) and unregular eating habits (that's bar life for you!) has made my body and digestive system take a turn. Factor in some major personal stress over the years and you have a recipe for your body and mind to start freaking out. So, I've backed off on the drinking almost entirely, consume way less sugar, allow myself that morning coffee and that's it, stay away from junk/processed food off all kinds, eat on a regular schedule, incorporate more fruit and pro-biotic yogurt (a smoothie is an awesome way to start the day) eat less beef/meat, more beans,legumes and veg, whole grains, eggs here and there, and generally 'rotate' what I eat. I like tea in the afternoon, green tea daily, herbal at night. I don't drink milk and have switched to vanilla soymilk, or any other kind of milk that is not dairy. I take Cal/mag tabs, a daily vitamin and make sure I excersise and get lots of fresh air. Lots of water with or without lemon juice, flush that shite out! Generally, getting healthier, and definitely seeing results. It may take a few more months or longer, much longer, to detoxify and re-balance the liver/organs, digestive system etc, but I'm inspired and the breakouts are becoming less and less. I feel wicked, sleep better and things seem to be improving. When I do get them I find Reactine 24 hour works wonderfully with no side effects. To stop the itching rubbing baby oil and/or calamine lotion on the affected areas gives me some major relief as well. We live in fast times these days and I believe all this 'modern' living is kicking many of us in so many ways and our bodies just can't cope, thus conditions like hives, allergies, candida (a big one) etc prevail. Hope this helps anyone because I'm not used to dealing with this and it ***** big time! Help your body and then let it help you! Good luck!

[Seanson]

I, too, have been suffering from hives in the last few months. Breakouts of welts mostly on my legs and arms, but on various parts of my body, including some throat swelling and swelling in the inside of my nose. From reading this forum and many others, I believe the causes and reactions are very individual and what may work for one person may not work for another. From what I can gather, hives are a reaction to some minor to major imbalances in the body. I have been a bartender/server for years and like to indulge once in awhile and I think that is catching up with me at 47 years of age. Along with a diet that has included too much sugar, high acid foods, not enough fibre (severe constipation) and unregular eating habits (that's bar life for you!) has made my body and digestive system take a turn. Factor in some major personal stress over the years and you have a recipe for your body and mind to start freaking out. So, I've backed off on the drinking almost entirely, consume way less sugar, allow myself that morning coffee and that's it, stay away from junk/processed food off all kinds, eat on a regular schedule, incorporate more fruit and pro-biotic yogurt (a smoothie is an awesome way to start the day) eat less beef/meat, more beans,legumes and veg, whole grains, eggs here and there, and generally 'rotate' what I eat. I like tea in the afternoon, green tea daily, herbal at night. I don't drink milk and have switched to vanilla soymilk, or any other kind of milk that is not dairy. I take Cal/mag tabs, a daily vitamin and make sure I excersise and get lots of fresh air. Lots of water with or without lemon juice, flush that shite out! Generally, getting healthier, and definitely seeing results. It may take a few more months or longer, much longer, to detoxify and re-balance the liver/organs, digestive system etc, but I'm inspired and the breakouts are becoming less and less. I feel wicked, sleep better and things seem to be improving. When I do get them I find Reactine 24 hour works wonderfully with no side effects. To stop the itching rubbing baby oil and/or calamine lotion on the affected areas gives me some major relief as well. We live in fast times these days and I believe all this 'modern' living is kicking many of us in so many ways and our bodies just can't cope, thus conditions like hives, allergies, candida (a big one) etc prevail. Hope this helps anyone because I'm not used to dealing with this and it ***** big time! Help your body and then let it help you! Good luck!