Chronic Hives - Need answers

[hivie14]

I have been suffering from chronic uticeria (hives) for the past 4 months.  I have seen my PCP, dermatologist and OBGYN.  I have a copper IUD, however everyone tells me this is not the reason for the hives.  I have worn a copper ring and have had no reaction.  I have had two skin biopyses along with numberous lab tests.Predisone does not help nor does benadryl seem to work.   The hives are on my back and torso and are now starting to go down my legs.  I can't sleep at night (about 2-3 hours an night), and sleep with ice packs on my back and neck.  Needless to say, what a love life!! :)  There are no triggers for the hives either.  They are there all the time & it is not detergents or food either.

Anyone have any ideas???  I will take any advice or anything.  I am at my wits end.  I cry all the time.

Thanks for your help!

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

'Chronic urticaria refers to hives that persists for 6 weeks or more. There are no visual differences between acute and chronic urticaria.

Some of the more severe chronic cases have lasted more than 20 years.

A survey indicated that chronic urticaria lasted a year or more in more than 50% of sufferers and 20 years or more in 20% of them.

Of course this does mean that in almost half the people it clears up within a year and in 80% it clears up within 20 years or less.

Urticaria is generally caused by direct contact with an allergenic substance, or an immune response to food or some other allergen, but can also appear for other reasons, notably emotional stress. The rash can be triggered by quite innocent events, such as mere rubbing or exposure to cold.'

You could take some oral antihistamine or antiallergic medications like loratadine or cetrizine and see if it helps with your symptoms. Apply calamine lotion at the site of the lesions to help soothe the itching.

Have you had allergic reactions in the past? Are you allergic to any specific substances?

You could read more about the condition at the following link -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticaria

Let us know about how you are doing and post us about what your doctor advises.

Post us if you need any further information.

Regards.

[hivie14]

I had allergy testing with no results and Predisone did helped a little, however they never completely cleared up and the itching is very intense.  I have asked several doctors if it could be my IUD and they all say no.  Benadryl sometimes works with claratin, zyrtec does not help.  One dermatologist suggested it could be auto immune progesterone dermatitis, however the OB says no.  I am at a lose of who or what to believe.

I feel like I will go crazy with the itching and welts!  It affects all aspects of life now.