Hives Support Group
Hives is a relatively common form of allergic reaction that causes raised red skin welts. These welts can range in diameter from 5 mm (0.2 inches) or more, itch severely, and often have a pale border. Urticaria is generally caused by direct contact with an allergenic substance, or an immune response to food or some other allergen. Hives can also be caused by stress.
Posting to see if these symptoms/solutions seem strange to anyone and if anyone has any useful advice in regards.
CU appears on lower extremities below the kneecap, typically on shins and/or backside of knee joint.
CU also appears on forearms, below elbow joint (hands, wrist, palms, whole forearm region).
CU appears on lower stomach, breast, entire back region from shoulder blades to glutes.
CU also effects eyes, lips and can progress to anaphylaxis on worse days.
Symptoms start suddenly and can occur during sleep or while awake, typical symptoms include sudden itching sensation of the effected area with wheals appearing soon after itching occurs (roughly 15-30 minutes).
Blood tests come back as normal/anemic (low iron levels), Common allergy test comes back with no signs of intolerence towards typical culprits, current recommended treatment is Xolair (omalizumab).
Sickle Cell Trait present (trait, disease isn't present).
House contains 3 pets, all dogs. Dogs don't appear to have fleas/ticks.
Typical cleaner used for the house were products containing bleach, bleach containing products now substituted with vineagar. Changing from bleach to vineagar showed no improvement in symptoms. House dusted/cleaned regularly.
typical solutions used so far:
Prednisone treatment (steroid) - Complete lapse in symptoms, couldn't be used long term due to side effects. Symptoms return daily if steroid isn't used.
Xolair injection. - Not yet attempted. Effect unknown.
Oatmeal baths. - Minimal effectiveness in reducing itching sensation, if any. No reduction in size of effected area.
Ice Packs. - Applying directly to the effected area "sometimes" reduces swelling after 10+ minutes of continuous use.
OTC antihistamine(s). - Usage can improve symptoms but not completely eliminate. Histamines used include Zyrtec (cetirizine), diphenhydramin (benadryl), Claratin (loratadine), Allegra (Fexofenadine). Both Claratin and Allegra show no effect on symptoms, currently using a combination of Benadryl and Cetirizine to improve/delay symptoms. (Current Dosage. - Cetirizine x1/day, Benadryl x1-3/day) ***Also currently participating in a CU research study involving the use of a combination of a unknown drug and placebo.***
OTC antacid(s). - Recommended to be used in addition to OTC Antihistamines, no noticable effects on frequency or intensity of symptoms.
Iron supplements. - Used to improve anemia, no effect on symptoms.
Short-term monitored diet. - Most food was limited to pre-prepared meals (frozen dinners, canned foods, etc). Food was changed short-term to only white rice and baked, unseasoned chicken breasts. No effect on symptoms in regards to different foods.
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Atypical solutions used so far:
Maximum Strength "Ivarest" poison ivy itch cream. - Typically reduces intensity of itching, sometimes has no effect on symptoms. Minimal if any effect on size of effected area.
Zanfel (Itch cream). - Can either significantly improve symptoms that progresses into total lapse of symptoms or have minimal/no effect.
Increased probiotic intake. - Increasing probiotic intake showed minimal to no improvement of symptoms.
Licorice Root. - Unknown effect, trying it soon. (Will update)
Smoking (starting/stopping). - Smoking for several years, no signs of lung issues. Clicking heart valve present. Smoking seems to improve throat swelling. (yes, this is weird).
Massage of effected area. - Seems to increase bloodflow of effected area and reduce itching/swelling. (also weird to me?) *massage/ice combination seems to work a bit better*
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Background:
Symptoms began several months after moving into a new house. Symptoms began with appearance of wheals on stomach/legs/arms/back and accompanied itching and progressed over several months to include swollen face/lips/throat (anaphylaxis). Anaphylaxis begins appearing as a infrequent symptom, sometimes leading to hospital visits for IV drip benadryl doses (x3-4 in 3 years). IV drip benadryl appears more effective than OTC benadryl, resulting in near-immediate recovery after dose administered compared to seemingly random effect of OTC benadryl. After leaving the hospital, effects of benadryl drip lasts a few hours. Symptoms either fade slowly, reduce to tolerable levels or return to anaphylaxis a few hours later. After several years of symptoms, joined a CU research study for drug testing. Results of the unknown drug, in conjunction with a daily dose of cetirizine and benadryl being used 0-3 times daily as a rescue drug appear to drastically reduce CU symptoms and have made more severe anaphylaxis reactions turn into a extreme rarity. Zanfel ointment was also replaced by Ivarest poison ivy itch cream around this time due to reduction of symptoms. Still participating in the study at this time, however, injections of the new drug have stopped as of now. Results of the study is showing a significant improvement over any currently available solutions. Effects of the drug appear to last quite awhile. (Sorry, I was never told the name and doses were IV injected as either placebo or the actual drug with the knowledge of which being withheld. If I'm ever informed; I'll update this post.)
As of now, symptoms have been made manageable mainly by participating in the CU research. Prior to participation, symptoms appeared too randomly and without any clear cause to attempt to weed out any culprits not covered by typical allergy tests.