Delayed Pressure Urticaria

[nikki787]

I am a 35 year old female and started getting chronic hives and angiodema 10 years ago.  It's always worse in the hot summer months but pressure is definitely a factor.  If i sit on a hard surface for long I get hard raised lumps on my buttocks, my hands will swell when i carry heavy bags or use a paintbrush but the worst thing is my feet!  The intense itching on the soles is unbearable!  Then they will swell to twice the size and go red, hot and painful so i can't walk.  When i have a bad flare-up i feel generally unwell and tired with stiff achy joints that you could liken to arthritis but 24 hours later everything is normal again....until the next time.  This whole vicious cycle is getting me down.  I saw a dermatologist 5 days ago who has prescribed 30mg cetirizine each morning and 300mg ranitidine each night.  So far so good.  Apart from feeling a little thick headed in the mornings, no hives or swelling at all this week!  Is this safe to take long term?

[KatieLow]

I'm 30 years old and about 4 years ago I was diagnosed with DPU. I really started seeing it get worse when I was pregnant with my son, he will be 6 this summer. If I know I'm going to go for a walk outside, or clean I take a Zyrtec so I don't swell up. It has gotten worse I have noticed. Especially when I'm on my period. Sometimes my eyes and lips swell up and notice it when I wake up. I think I might go back to the doctor to see what else there is to do. I hate the pain and itching. It's so hard to explain to someone who doesn't have it. Thanks for listening!! :)

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Delayed Pressure Urticaria presents as erythematous swelling of the skin that develops 4 to 6 hours after pressure has been applied to the area. It can be diagnosed by dermatographometers, if available (almost absolete). You need to avoid such activities which will trigger the event like  wearing tight clothing (affecting areas of constriction), sitting for prolonged periods of time on a hard surface (affecting the buttocks), an extended period of walking (affecting the soles and feet), or carrying heavy bags of groceries (affecting the palms and hands). Anti-histaminic and/or Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist (may be added if not controlled by antihistamines) will help to relieve the symptoms. You can go for the long term therapy; side effects will not be matter of concern except for mild sedation and sometimes headache. I suggest you to consult a dermatologist for more info. Take care and regards.