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Posted 12/4/2007 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
Just for the info. of it itching is not the same as hives (urticaria) if you are looking up diseases... for instance you can get itching from diabetes this is def. true.. but not necessarily hives per se. Be careful what you look up and don't add more diseases to the cause of hives then there already are!
Posted 12/4/2007 9:26 PM (GMT 0)

I'm so relieved, my urticaria has completely cleared up, just as suddenly as it came. :-)

I found hydrocortisone cream relieved the itchiness and calmed it a bit and I was taking Ucerax (hydroxyzine hydrochloride) after trying various antihistamines.

It really helped me that the doctor's all took the condition seriously and appreciated how disruptive it can be.

as journeyc, I also was feeling greatly calmed by having a hottish bath - certainly didn't make the rash any worse.

I'm going to keep taking aloe vera gel to see if it helps with general health and immune system, but my rash cleared up before it was delivered.


Good luck folks X

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Post Edited By Moderator (another day) : 12/5/2007 6:27:43 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/5/2007 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all,

I have never joined a forum b4 so bare with me. I have had chronic pain for about 4 months now. I feel ridiculous. I start out my days with very little pain, but by evening hours I ca barely move. I have a 5 1/2 month old son who is a hefty little guy--he weighs 19 lbs. I play with him and carry him around so at first I thought my muscles were weak. Lately, I can't get relief. I have also had welt like lumps everywhere. Some nights I get like 7 of them -- some even on my chin or one night my lip swelled up. But some nights I have no lumps and still--the pain. At first I thought I could deal, but after 4 months it's everything I have not to get upset. I have seen my doctor and he is a good doctor, but he doesn't know what to do. He thought I had tendinitis, but that wouldn't explain the pain in my legs or my back, or my shoulders. Some days it's just my arms, or just my legs. I have had three nights were I was sick to my stomach. It is so hard to get up to feed my baby at 2:00 a.m. when my pain is peaking. And for some reason once I am in rest mode, it hurts more than ever to move! My hubby doesn't understand and I never really talk about my pain. I try to push through it, but lately I am getting so frustrated. I have lots of allergies, but these hives are like knotted lumps. I have had all kinds of blood work done, cbc, celiac disease, autoimmune diseases and Rheumatoid arthritis--all of which have come back fine (thank goodness) but that makes my situation even harder to understand. I am taking ibuprofen and tylenol every day and it isn't even helping. I stumbled upon delayed pressure urticaria a few days ago and it really sounds like what i am going through. I had this reaction about 6 years ago, but i thought i was allergic to aleve. I also noticed that the bottom of my feet or hands sometimes get a sentive spot every now and then. I tried to go the driving range with my husband and hit golf balls and oh my gosh--it hurt! I have a good pain tolerance. Is all this pain from lifting my child? What can I do next? Sorry I sound so desperate, I am just confused and in pain. Do any of you think I could have DPU?

thanks
Posted 12/6/2007 1:45 AM (GMT 0)

Olly Glasgow,

I wanted to welcome you to HealingWell and let you know why I edited some of your last post.  I think your intention was pure and honest and that you wanted to help others.  But, when I checked out the link, they were trying to sell a little bit of everything and trying to get others to come on board as salespersons. You would have had to searched long and hard to have even found the product you were talking about.  We just don't do that on HealingWell.  I truly hope you don't take that as a slap on the wrist or anything like that, it certainly wasn't meant that way.

I truly hope you will stay with us as this is a disease that quite a few of you share and can help each other with.  If you want to let the other members know what you use, you can do that, just don't list the link.  They will find it on their own.

Take care!

Carla

Posted 12/7/2007 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
smurf broken mom

I am not sure if you have hives... knots?? Hives do raise up and can merge into with each other. Hives are varying pink tones they can have lt. centers skin tone- whiter, and sometimes the outside of them will have whiter then your skin color. Picture a donut with the inner lt. flesh tone the "donut" pink , and the background glow of it white. I don't know if that gives you a better vision of it?! But mine start at night or in the morn. (I'm sure not everyones does) they are pink.. varying shades depending on how bad or size of them are.. my smaller ones seem to lean more towards red, then they start to itch and when I scratch they raise .. welt up maybe an 1/8th of an inch.. later they calm done (if I'm lucky) they go flat and then back to invisible. Obviously there are different triggers for different people. Mine is getting cold, sweating , restrictive clothes.. (pressure) I didn't start getting these til this fall so I am not sure how I will be in the summer. When my legs get cold and kind of purple that is when I can really see the varying colors like I stated above. Sometimes hives will just be the pink color though. They can have various forms , not necessarily just round circles. They can be in one area for a while, and then travel to another area for a while. I notice if I am out and about I feel better and face it I can't scratch like crazy like I do at home or look like a flee varmint.

Angio edema is what the lip swelling is. There are like 4 forms of it. I think. I have hives and angioedema. I am starting to mix up the two at times as far as what is used for what, etc. There is hereditary angioedema not the best to have.. not much to do for it (yet)and more dangerous as your intestines can swell and such. Certain meds can cause it.. diseases of all sorts mostly related to auto immune. I started with a couple lip swells then my face went all out. My husband described it as it looked like "plastic surgery gone bad". I have other posts in here that explains it more and on other threads related to both hives and angioedema. My doc got real scared as it seemed to be when I ate soy, wheat, milk products... and it was increasingly getting worse like it can. But I was tested and it was negative. I still have more to test but uninsured so I couldn't pay for many at once. My doc ordered me prednisone pack and an epi pen. The epi pen is only for emergency if you can't breathe do to swelling of tongue or neck. The prednisone was to be taken if my face started to swell not for everyday hives. My lip did so I started on them it went right away gave me an appetite! but hey no hives for me for a week. I have to say I almost missed them .. isn't that wierd! Its like .. I looked down and what I was use to being there was gone. I had mixed emotions I was so use to itching them and seeing them I almost forgot what it was like to be free and normal. Believe me it was the best week though! My facial swelling went down that night when it usually takes more then 24 hours. With angio edema you can get in in your hands and feet and genitals and facial area.

I too get muscle weakness now and more so soreness. I don't even know whats wrong with me to give you advice.. but there are more tests then what you had. I can give you the list if you request that my doc gave me. You might want to research Fibromyalgia , Angioedema, Urticaria (chronic if it has been more then 6 wks. of it),... Muscular Sclerosis (sp?) , Lupus, Leukemia, Hypothyroidism and see if any of the symptoms fit you. I just go on the search sites type in those words and choose through them. Probably how you found this one anyways... pick the .org or gov. ones and the major well known hosp. or clinics and the major research journals to get most accurate results. But don't let it get you to wrapped in it. If you fit symptoms alot in one then focus on that and get tested for that I would say.
Posted 12/7/2007 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
oh ya broken mom, I forgot to say that ibuprofen and anti inflammatories and aspirin are a no no when you have these issues as they will trigger an attack. I use to love to take ibuprofen for cramps and such and now I have to take Tylenol type products .. what is that acetaminophen? Also, watch tomatoes because I heard it has aspirin like.. properties and therefor a trigger. So you may or may not have had an actual allergy to Alleve.. but it could have triggered it. For example I am not "allergic" to smoke but it triggers my other allergies.
And what is DPU?
Posted 12/7/2007 5:09 AM (GMT 0)

Hivelady, I hope you have checked back in with your doctor.  I am kind of concerned that we haven't heard back from you.  I wish I had some advice for you, but I have personally never had hives myself.  Please let us know how you are doing.

Take care!

Carla

Posted 12/7/2007 5:35 AM (GMT 0)

autoimmune dysfunc,

 I wanted to welcome you to HealingWell.  It seems like you have a lot of knowledge in the area of hives and you should be able to help others.  Unfortunately, I have no expertise in this area.  We are all here to share and learn from one another.  I am glad you are here.

Take care!

Carla

Posted 12/7/2007 5:40 AM (GMT 0)

brokenmom,

I also wanted to welcome you to HealingWell.  Gosh, it sounds like you are really going through a tough time with no answers from your doctor.  Have you checked out our forum here on chronic pain to see if you might find any answers there?  I am by no means trying to run you off, I am just trying to help you find some answers.  I don't know how you are handling the pain while taking care a  baby.

Please keep us posted and let us know what you find out and check back in here, maybe someone will drop in who may have some answers for you.

Take care!

Carla

Posted 12/7/2007 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again brokenmom,
I wanted to say I am fairly convinced re reading your post that you do have Angio Edema. Do please check info. and threads on that out. I once got it on my chin and lip. The lip is obviously swollen if its on the actual pink part of the lip. But you can get it around your lips and cheek/chin area. On the chin (for me) it swelled flat and round like a tiny patty sausage shape. Being you just had a baby and hormones can trigger things... maybe there is testing for that I really don't know. Stress triggers it too. But like I said before I don't believe it is the only cause. The testing for hereditary Angioedema (HAE) there are about 4 of them. I can get the names of them if you want them.
Posted 1/14/2008 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I have chronic urticaria I have had it 2 and a half years my doctor is very unsympathetic and says I will just have to live with it. I am taking Telfast through the day and Ucerax on the night time. It helps a bit but once I step out in the cold I'm incredibly itchy again. I have aquagenic urticaria too so when I shower I come out in a rash which is incredibly itchy. I refused to let it beat me so I went to see an osteopath Initially I thought she only dealt with bone issues but she treats everything. She told me my body is no longer producing its own anti-histamines and the antihistamines I am taking are making my body think I dont need to produce any. She told me to get some bio-flavonoid tablets which make your body produce its own anti-histamines strenghthening the immune system resulting in the body not reacting to the allergens anymore. You should be able to get them in any pharmacy. I am going to get some tomorrow with some B-complex tablets as she said I'm stressed making my symptoms worse so she said these would help boost my body so I can cope. She said I should feel the difference in less than 2 weeks so heres hoping! I will post another comment in 2 weeks and let u all know how I get on. I cook all my own food no microwave meals no artificial colors I dont drink any fizzy drinks cuz she said caffeine overloads ur liver and anything the liver cant absorb is excreted through the skin hence irritating it more, Ive cut out alcohol and go to the gym 3 times a week. So I'm very healthy so hopefully these tablets will work. So you lot should try them they are all natural and inexpensive so hey its worth a try. Speak in a couple of weeks hopefully being Urticaria free!
Posted 1/30/2008 10:26 AM (GMT 0)

Hi everyone,

I just want to share my experience with chronic hives and what caused them in case I can help others. The short version is that I had severe chronic hives and angioedema for six months.  they were so bad that I had to quit my job.  I was on prednisone, zyrtec, singulair, and zantac, and I still had to go to the emergency room occasionally to get a shot or IV of prednisone.  I saw my regular Dr. many times, an allergist/immunologist, and many different emergency room Dr.'s.  I had many blood tests including RAST allergy tests which stated that I was not allergic to anything. THe Dr.'s said I would just have to take medication until it just went away on it's own (why do they always say that?).   I read somewhere that a Dr. would rather see a live tiger walk into his office than a person with chronic hives!  Anyway, I couldn't accept that as an answer.  When you can't sleep because you are being tortured by hives as big as plates and a swollen face you look for answers.  In my case I found out I have Celiac disease.  I figured it out on my own through trial and error and looking around on the internet.  I got lab work to confirm it.  Celiac's is an autoimmune disease where the body cannot handle gluten which is the protein in wheat, barley, rye,etc.  It is not an allergy.  I tested negative for any allergy to wheat.  No Dr. sugggested Celiac. I also tested positive for antibodies to the protein in milk called casein. I stopped eating any foods containing gluten and casein (very hard) five months ago and my hives have gone down to one small patch every other day and I just take one Zyrtec and they go away in 20 minutes.  They have progressively decreased since I stopped eating gluten and casein and they are almost gone completely.  Now I know this will not be the answer for most of you but I wanted to post this because maybe it will be the cause for someone.  If you think this could be a cause for you do some research.  If you get blood work and it comes up negative that does not necessarily mean you don't have it.  YOu can also be gluten sensitive without having Celiac. Also, you have to be eating gluten for the tests to be valid.  I stopped eating it and noticed an improvement and then ate some bread and had to go to the emergency room because of the breakout of hives and angioedema.  Anyway, I remember reading these posts when I was suffering so badly and I vowed that if I ever figured out what it was I would go back and post because I learned so much from the internet that led me to figure out what was wrong with me.  Anyway, hang in there and do your own research.  If I had listened to the Dr.'s and just took steroids and "waited for it to go away on it's own" I would still be suffering.  Good luck.        Tina  

Posted 2/6/2008 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to give a quick story about my hives, and hopefully it might help somebody out there. I suffered with chronic hives 24/7 for 11 months. There was not a day that I didn't suffer from hives and they were the hardest thing I have ever dealt with in my life. Some doctors would refer to them as a 'nuissance' but most days I found it hard to even function never mind carrying on with my day and taking care of my daughter. (I am a SAHM). Anyway, here is my story if anyone is interested:

We moved into our brand new dream house in January 2007. 6 weeks later I broke out in a severe case of hives - now when I say severe, I mean there were more hives on my body than skin. Disfiguring. Anyway, went to my family doctor and he chalked it up to a virus and that they would go away in 7-10 days. Wrong. I was told to give it 6 weeks and if I still had them to come back and he'd do some bloodwork. 6 weeks later blood tests were done and everything came back fine. I was then referred to an allergist thinking maybe it was something in my new house. NOTHING. Then I was referred to a dermatologist who gave me every antihistamine under the sun and the only relief I got was short rounds of prednisone, but by the time I'd get to a lower dose they would flare up again. I tried everything - both over the counter and RX and none of them did a darn thing except make me gain weight - not to mention depressed, moody, and just plain crappy. I even tried hypnosis and self relaxation. I was desperate and at times found it hard to even get through the day wondering if there was ever going to be an end in sight. I would read stories about how people had hives for years and I thought how am I going to survive this? My hives were so severe that I was embarrased to leave my house. It was humiliating and all I kept asking was WHY ME? What did I do to deserve this?

I finally started doing my own research and found a specific blood test to check thryoid antibodies. My thyroid was tested months back and was dismissed because my TSH was normal. However, I read that if you have high levels of antibodies and a normal TSH you could have hives and would benefit from Thryoid medication. To make a long story short (if thats possible!) I found an endocrinologist and he was willing to do that special test. Turns out that the normal range for antibodies are supposed to be between 0-50 and mine were over 400. My Dr. diagnosed me with Hashimotos Thyroiditis and put me on a low dose of Levoxyl and within 6 weeks my hives started to go away. I was on other meds as well, but not until I started taking Levoxyl did things seem to calm down. This was my regimen:

Prednisone every other day 20mg
Zyrtec twice a day 10mg
Allegra 3X day 60mg
Doxepin 50 mg
Levoxyl 75 mg

I was finally able to ween off the prednisone after a couple months (dropping 2.5 mg every 2 weeks until I was off it completely). Then I started stopping the antihistmines one at a time and right now I am only taking Levoxyl & Zyretc. I have been virtually hive free for over a month and I hope and pray it continues. I sure hope I am not going to jinx myself for posting this, but I just wanted to share my story with someone in hopes that it helps them. PLEASE get your antibodies tested even if your doctors dismiss your thryoid as a problem - my TSH was perfect which is why they never looked into it anymore. If I had not asked for the special blood test, it would have never been done. Sometimes I think we know more about this stupid disease than our doctors. It's very uncommon and to be honest I don't think they know very much about it so they just keep filling us with drugs and antihistamines and telling us that they will eventually just go away. Well, when you are living in hell everyday of your life that is the last thing we want to hear. We want answers.

If you are still reading this - thank you - i didn't mean for this to turn into a novel, but I just wanted to share my story with you.

Everybody hang in there. This is such a horrible thing to go through and my heart aches for each and everyone of us that have had to endure this. Life can be so unfair sometimes. I feel like a lost a whole year of my life because my urticaria took over my life. I sure hope my story will help somebody out there. Take care everyone.
Posted 2/7/2008 2:45 AM (GMT 0)

Thank you guys for posting your success stories.

If you are going to have your thyroid checked, I would definitely go to an endocrinologist and not even fool with your primary care physician.  As a rule, they just don't know enough about serious thyroid cases and they would probably think you were crazy thinking that it had anything to do with hives.  That's just my unprofessional opinion.

about 10 years ago, I was still seeing my PCP for my thyroid and I had gained 60 lbs. in one year, he had changed my medication eights times during that time and if you know much about thyroid, I was very hormonal.  I finally went into his office for my appointment screaming and having a royal fit that I wanted to be referred out to an endocrinologist and he understood me loud and clear that day.  I rarely have to go to him because most of my health issues are specialized, but he never asks me about my thyroid.  He knows that I felt he wasn't doing his job.

I have a great endocrinologist now.

Posted 4/11/2008 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
hi all great forum, at least other people have this problem lol. I am trying to help my partner who has had chronic urticaria for about 2 years. After having to change doctors in the end, her new one has at least been honest and said there is not a lot he can do as she has had all the usual antihistamines, creams etc. He has now prescribed steroids which do give temporary relief but are not meant to be long term as you all know. Anyway, I really feel for her because she is getting really depressed and after reading the forum, wondered if anyone could help with the following

The buying new clothes, washing in baking soda etc is worth a go, but where do you get clothes that have not been pre-washed?

This aloe vera seems to be pretty good, can you get tablets or is it just cream based?

She has just started some chinese medicine, has anyone got any experience of this?

Thanks for you help and will keep you in touch with events, as most of the people on here actually have the disease and I dont, I can only sympathise as I know how much it effects every day life, I just want to help her in any way I can

Thanka

Posted 4/12/2008 12:40 AM (GMT 0)

Popsy,

Welcome to HealingWell!  I am sorry, but I do not have any experience at all with Chronic Urticaria.  Hopefully, one of our other members will come along soon and may be able to answer some of your questions.  Don't give up, keep checking back.  It may take a few days as we don't get as many questions for this as we do for asthma and allergies.  You might try going back and looking at some of the old posts.

I'm sorry I could not be of much help.

Take care!

Carla

Posted 4/15/2008 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, Ive been "dealing" with chrotic idiopathic urticaria for about three years now.It started as a red itchy patch on the back of my legs and calves,moved up the rest of my body and spared my face and privates.After a week of perplexment,my airway started to shut and i got real scared at that point.I also developed a chronic sinusitis that only adds to my aggravation with this condition.I went to a dermatologist that new what this was and was placed on fexofenadine 180mg.This nearly removed all of my symptoms and I was elated to have found a doctor like this in such a small town.Now its been 3 years and fexofenadine is either not as effective or my condition is growing worse.I've been sick alot the last few months,when I'm sick the hives dont surface,but when I'm well they do.Very strange facet of this condition.If my story resonates with yours I'd like to hear about it.
Posted 4/16/2008 2:41 AM (GMT 0)

While I would like to welcome you to HealingWell, I don't have any personal experience with hives myself.  I'm an allergy/asthma person.  Please keep checking in and posting and hopefully, someone will come along who has had a similar experience or you may be able to help someone else.  You will find it amazing how much we are able to help each other on this forum.

Take care!

Carla

Posted 4/24/2008 1:22 PM (GMT 0)

Hi all

I'm a builder and I start having hives 2005

I was contructing a conservatory/sunhouse using "Iroko"  Timber, and I put this Urticaria down to contact with the wood, which I found out after researching that it was an irritant

 Iroko: irritant/respiratory, eye & skin/extreme/dust, wood/common

I control it with Neoclarityn

but I do notice if I touch any timber with bare hands I come out in hives

I've been on a dairy and wheat free diet and that has nothing to do with it except I'm not so bloated and I've lost weight :-)

So that my bit of history. One other thing like the person in the hottub, if the itching gets to bad, go and have a "very hot shower" (not to hot that you scaled yourself) You'll have the most incredible urge to scratch. The iching feeling will be VERY intense at first then it calms down.

(but just in case try a small area of your body first because we are all different and it may not work for you.

It's akin to putting disinfectent on a cut. it stings for ashort while then subsides

Hope this helps

jakeuk

Ps Excellent forum Cheers cool

Posted 4/24/2008 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
hello, just read jakeuk's post and found it interestig that he's a builder.I've been in tooling/woodworking for over 13 years now and I'm recently unemployed from this trade.My hives have gotten better as has my nagging cough(nonsmoker).Sinusitis is way better.So far here's what Ive done in last 2 weeks....No exposure to timber,lumber,wood dust,wood sap,grinding wheels or dust,coolant or industrial hand cleaners.Major cutback of anything with phenylananine,almost all dairy(just enough to wet the cereal and then i eat it with fork! lol   Just for the mention,most of the turning points of my life or "life changes" have not been careful condideration of facts or debate,but something just grabs my attention from a way-deep place in the mind and then I take a risk.I was reading on a post that the liver excretes what it cant handle through the skin.If this is fact ,and it sounds legitimate to me,does anyone have a short list of "liver-busters" that can be restricted from the diet?In case jakeuk is reading,the majority of "wood" that I contacted was MDF ,loaded with formaldehyde.
Posted 4/29/2008 5:36 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Need

Yes I've used MDF but not a great deal of it

One interesting thing you said was about the liver, that makes a lot of sence into why sometimes for no reason the hives erupt!!! curious

I had a blood test last year and it came back with "there are some abnormalities in the liver"

Last year I was supposed to go to the hospital for skin tests. Twice I've been and twice I've not been able to park anywhere. so i left it go.

 about 2 weeks ago i decided to try again so i now have an appointment within the next 5 months

I have noticed a drop in the itching when I've left off dairy and bread (wheat) products.

I often wonder if it's sometimes auto suggestion/placebo effect that easies the itching. I don't think it is

Posted 5/8/2008 7:02 AM (GMT 0)

I had Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria nearly 20 years ago for 5 consecutive years.  Not only did I have hives, I also had angio edema and severe joint pain.  I spent tens of thousands of dollars trying to get to the bottom of the condition.  I even made a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN.  My allergist put me on Famotodine, Claritin, and other histamine blockers.  The only result was a lump developed in my chest which the breast doctor said was from all the drugs, and if I continued taking them I could easily end up with breast cancer.  Note: I am a  70 year old male.  Breast cancer can occur but is rare in males.  The urticaria and other symptoms subsided with no explaination or changes in diet etc.

about a year ago I again started having the same hives, edema, and joint pain.  Unfortunately (maybe fortunately) my original Dr. retired and I had a new Dr. to redo much of the testing and expermentation that seems to come with Chronic Urticaria.  Eventually I was referred to an allergenist that agressively treats urticaria.  One of his first things to do was to run a "Chronic Urticaria Test" which " is the second generation Functional Anti-FceR test.  Results <10 indicate you do not have chronic urticaria,  my results were >50.  Results > 10 indicate "you have basophil reactive factors in your serum which supports an autoimmune basis for disease."

Anyone experiencing chronic urticaria should have this test.

For the past year I have been on prednisone, zyrtec, doxepin, plaquinal, singulair, and numerous other drugs.  Take away the prednisone and I have the problems.  Of course prednisone has now contributed to my bone density being nearly in the osteoporosis range so it is highly desirable to get off prednisone.  My allergist said I was one of the toughest cases he had ever seen, and he suggested that I see another Dr. that specialized in rheumatology for more extensive treatment.

The rheumatologist has put me on an anti-rejection drug as would be given to transplant patients.  This drug is called Cellcept.  I am now hive free and I am weaning off the prednison.  Currently taking 5mg prednisone every other day.  There is one big catch to this.  Cellcept costs over $1000 per month and at present my insurance is not covering one cent.  (My current drug costs are about $1500 per mo. Tough on a retired persons bank account)

I decided to post here because I feel that I have had good fortune to find some real doctors that understand how debilitating this type of disease can be. I have not seen any other post that indicated the use of Cellcept which I think is working for me. I did note one other post that indicated the use of a anti rejection drug but not Cellcept.

Good Luck to all and don't give up.  Some doctors are learning how to handle these diseases.

Posted 8/9/2008 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All,  I suffer from Urticaria and have done for just over 2 years.  I believed it was purely heat and/or pressure that would set it off as I had tried everything - and I mean everything.  I systematically removed different things from my diet and lifestyle to no results - then I eventually got an appointment to see an allergy specialist. On the day, after 4 hideous days without any antihistimines, they told me the doctor was unavailable - distrught, I asked to see someone and they sent me to the allergy clinic nurse - and thank god they did.  I don't know whether it will help all of you but even if it helps just one person I will be relieved.  I have discovered I am allergic to SULPHITES, a preservative used in food and drinks (esp. wine!!) and fast becoming a very common thing to be allergic to.  Australia, New Zealand and USA are quite knowledgable about it and have lots of information posted on the web, but it is not even listed as a allergy in UK.  Those who find that many things seem to set them off should have a look at information regarding Sulphites - they are in high quantity in Wine, all fruit and veg that isn't fresh or frozen and many other foods.  i still take some antihistmines as sulphites are hard to fully avoid but I have reduced my dosage considerably and can go 36hrs without medication before I get even a small itch - I'm not cured but I can control my reactions and best of all live a normal life!!!  Sulphites are also closely linked to asthma and often the 2 go hand in hand.  Not many people in our medical profession seem to know alot about sulphites - my GP had never heard of a reaction to them.  Try it - it has worked wonders for me!!  Good luck to all of you who suffer from the evil itchyness, as no one can trully appreciate how you feel unless you suffer as well. I hope you find a solution!! 
Posted 8/9/2008 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sulphites,

You may be able to reduce your sensitivity to the sulfites by taking Vitamin B12 orally before any meal containing sulfites. Other nutritional components necessary to support sulfite metabolism (yes, we have an enzyme to process sulfites since sulfur amino acids break down into sulfites and sulfites are harmful to the body so the body wants to change sulfites into sulfates...but this enzyme can become deficient or inefficient in certain situations): Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Molybdenum.

I've also had Vitamin B12 orally help counter-act a sulfite reaction if I get the B12 early in the reaction. I carry B12 with me everywhere because I never know when I'm going to get a blast of sulfite from somewhere. There are 6 different sulfites used, one of which is sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide also is present in automobile exhaust, and often in the emissions from manufacturing plants. I get horribly motion sick if I don't have regular intake of B12.

Check out www.healingnutrition.co.uk/sulphite.pdf - Written by someone in the UK with sulphite sensitivity, this document tells which E numbers on food labels to watch out for, and contains a lot of other good info about sulphites too.

I hope this helps - take care,
Posted 8/12/2008 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Saizbaby,

I too suffer from Chronic idiopathic Urticaria. How did that treatment end up working out?

garne2t


Saizbaby said...
Hi I have chronic urticaria I have had it 2 and a half years my doctor is very unsympathetic and says I will just have to live with it. I am taking Telfast through the day and Ucerax on the night time. It helps a bit but once I step out in the cold I'm incredibly itchy again. I have aquagenic urticaria too so when I shower I come out in a rash which is incredibly itchy. I refused to let it beat me so I went to see an osteopath Initially I thought she only dealt with bone issues but she treats everything. She told me my body is no longer producing its own anti-histamines and the antihistamines I am taking are making my body think I dont need to produce any. She told me to get some bio-flavonoid tablets which make your body produce its own anti-histamines strenghthening the immune system resulting in the body not reacting to the allergens anymore. You should be able to get them in any pharmacy. I am going to get some tomorrow with some B-complex tablets as she said I'm stressed making my symptoms worse so she said these would help boost my body so I can cope. She said I should feel the difference in less than 2 weeks so heres hoping! I will post another comment in 2 weeks and let u all know how I get on. I cook all my own food no microwave meals no artificial colors I dont drink any fizzy drinks cuz she said caffeine overloads ur liver and anything the liver cant absorb is excreted through the skin hence irritating it more, Ive cut out alcohol and go to the gym 3 times a week. So I'm very healthy so hopefully these tablets will work. So you lot should try them they are all natural and inexpensive so hey its worth a try. Speak in a couple of weeks hopefully being Urticaria free!

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