urticaria (hives)

Five months ago I very suddenly developed hives around my belt line. I went to the doctor, who tried steroids and that did not work so he sent me to a dermatologist who has given me more steroids, antihistimines and more steroids and still I have hives. He calls this condition urticaria.

I have tried everything I can think of to get rid of this problem.

Here is my two part question:

1. what is the best way to serch for the cause? If it is a food how long do I need to elimanate it to see results. If it is something in the environment how do I track it down.

2. I am very afraid of this condition. I am on Allegra 60mg x two each day. For no reason except touch I get a huge red patch on different parts of my body that itches and sometimes feels like it is burning. They only last a short time and then fade. They used to be big welts. Now they are just different size patches. Sometimes small, sometimes huge. Can these red burning itching patches kill me. I am truely afraid of something bad happening. My doctor says that they are uncomfortable, but not dangerous or anything to worry about. Maybe in a year or two they will go away.

Please help I am really going crazy!!! also, should I consult an Allergest? or stick with the Dermatologist? I am 50 years old and this is really hurting my life...

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Sorry that the original answer got cut off.

First and foremost--this condition is NOT in any sense dangerous.  It cannot do you in.  It is a common and annoying condition which almost never has a specific dietary or environmental cause.

Your dermatologist may want to try other antihistamines to suppress the symptoms.  Steroids can't be used long-term and don't work well anyway, as you learned.  You can consult an allergist if you want, but probably won't learn more than you already know.

Even after all this time, it's possible, even likely, that the hives will just go away as mysteriously as they came (though they may return some day.)

Meantime, try applyong OTC Sarna lotion to deal with itch, and don't worry about dire outcomes.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[cren40]

I had this type of urticaria long time ago. It developped every time when I visited my grandparent's home and I slept over.  It turned out that I was alergic (allergic) to a fungus that grew in the walls of their house.
My advise is to check if anything new happened when you first got the rash..like new detergent or new belt or change of address..and try to avoid that happening again. I know how annoying this condition can be. Good luck!

[irvin]

all of that is just fine but you did not answer my question!

can this condition kill me?

[irvin]

please does anyone have more information or experience with this condition that could offer more help than this?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Irvin:

This is what I said in my answer:

First and foremost--this condition is NOT in any sense dangerous. It cannot do you in.

I thought that was explicit enough, but in case it wasn't:

No, this condition cannot kill you.

I hope this clarifies your concern.

Dr. Rockoff

[irvin]

Thanks Doc,

I think you saw this concern after you posted your reply and may have misunderstood.

Its just that this is truely ruining my life and I am begging the world for some kind of help or direction.

I am sure that cancer and death are worse, but burning hot ichy rashes every darn day are pretty tough also.

Lastly, if you where me what would you do?????????????

[electricfrank]

I had hives for six months, at first doctors told me I was having a reaction to something, so we tried to figure what it was.  Finally gave up and told me I had cronic (chronic) hives.  Was on predisone which cleared them up but came back when I stopped taking it.  What finally worked was to clear them up with a five day treatment of predisone and during those five days I was taking allegra 1/day, zyrtex 1 or 2/day and zantac 150mg 2/day.
The zantac made the difference in my treatment and was told to me by my pharmacist not my doctor, it is a h2 histamine blocker where as the allergra and zantax are h1 blockers. I was on the above and only had a small amount of hives.  After they went away I stopped one medicine at a time to make sure they did not come back and now I am off all and no hives.  Also if they tell you it is caused by stress, tell them the only stress you have is caused by the doctors and the hives good luck

[irvin]

thank you so much frank! what strength allegra were you on and what about the details of the other meds.

I need all of this to beat this.

[ItchyGirl]

aw aw aw! Please someone, anyone help me. I'm 18 yrs old and have Urticaria. Its very painful, I'm constantly itching, to the point I make myself bleed (I know doctors have told me not to, but I cant help it, I need to itch it to try and stop it driving me mad!) As I've read on the other posts on here, they come up in raised red patches, burning, very soar and infact are preventing me from sleeping.
I had the same systoms about 9 months ago, they went and they came back about 2 months ago. I cant remember what I took last time (as I was told I'd only get it once in my life so I never noted the tablet name down, and my doctors have tried everything since and nothing it working).
I am also itchy down below but the doctors have told me its just skin like the rest of my body and its just itchy like everywhere else, so its not linked to something wrong down there (i hope).
I've tried loads of antihistomines and nothing is working, I'm booked to see a dermatologist (but I dont know when that will be) and my doctor says next thing is to try steroids - but I've read they dont work!
I've got a wedding in a weeks time and I know I wont be able to go to it because my skin will flare up during the day and I'll be constantly asked what it is and why have I got it.
I feel I spend most my time explain to people what it is and they think its some disease. I'm desparate, any help, advice or direction will be taken with thanks

Thank you