Itching face

[carley1510]

Over the past 5years, i have been suffering with itches on the right side of face. It feels like crawly worms. I've been to a  dermatologist and tried all kinds of creams but the itching continues. Sometimes it is unbearble. It is often triggered in any condition, during the day or night. As a result pimple like bumps appear and my face looks less than attractive as it used to be.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm without examination but the symptoms that you are having can be due to hives.Hives (medically known as urticaria) are red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes. They have a tendency to change size rapidly and to move around, disappearing in one place and reappearing in other places, often in a matter of hours.

Take non sedating antihistamines like Claritin or Zyrtec to get symptom relief. Sedating antihistamine such as Benadryl is used at night to get urticaria control. Short courses of oral cortisone or steroids are taken for short periods (one to three days) to settle more severe symptoms.Also apply calamine on the rashes.
You may take Vitamin C along with the prescribed treatment. Vitamin C is a general anti-allergy supplement. It helps stabilize mast cells so they are less likely to release histamine.

If the symptoms persist, then you can consult an immunologist. He may start with immunosuppressive drugs.

If the hives don’t go after 6 wks of treatment also, then it can be a case of chronic urticaria which needs further evaluation as it may be due to auto antibodies.

I hope it helps. Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[jagesh50]

A course of Atarax 25 mg at bedtime for two weeks.May make you little sleepy,but safe.Hydroxizine is the chemical name for atarax.