Help with Hives (Urticaria)
Discussion
Back in January I was staying in a hotel and woke with a few hives on my legs, swollen fingers (couldn't get wedding ring or watch on). After 12 hours in work the hives had gone. Since then my symptoms have got gradually worse. Head to toe in hives, easily over 100 with many joining up. I've been absolutely covered in them. It is the same patten daily. I wake with it, whether on day shift or night shift and by the end of the day/shift I'm usually ok.
So far I've been to the doctor several times and have tried several antihistamines and steriods. I had one reaction where I ended up going to a&e on the doctor's advise. Swollen lips, eyes, face etc. I've paid to see a private consultant. His advice was to go on low salicylate diet. I've made I real effort the last 48 hours with eating only porridge, natural yoghurt and drinking only water. Symptoms have not changed.
I'm currently on 4x fexofenidine and 2x loratadine daily. This seems to slow things down to just a few hives on my torso but my legs covered and still the odd day with swollen fingers.
Has anyone suffered with this before? Anything else I can try?
So far I've been to the doctor several times and have tried several antihistamines and steriods. I had one reaction where I ended up going to a&e on the doctor's advise. Swollen lips, eyes, face etc. I've paid to see a private consultant. His advice was to go on low salicylate diet. I've made I real effort the last 48 hours with eating only porridge, natural yoghurt and drinking only water. Symptoms have not changed.
I'm currently on 4x fexofenidine and 2x loratadine daily. This seems to slow things down to just a few hives on my torso but my legs covered and still the odd day with swollen fingers.
Has anyone suffered with this before? Anything else I can try?
I have suffered with Urticaria on & off since I was 35 (I'm 60 next month)
My first round was horrific, I worked in an office in a converted old house. After 2 1/2 weeks where the doctor was useless, just giving me calamine ointment, it had gone. The minute I went back to work it started again. After a post mortem on what was wrong I moved offices to our boardroom. Symptoms went again. Over one weekend we had the builders in to strip the ceiling which had a crack in it. Plasterboard & replaster & paint. Went back in & was fine. Discussing with doctors later horsehair plaster which is v common in old buildings is a common allergy trigger.
I then had various flare ups over the years & around 14 years ago it flared badly. I was referred to a consultant dermatologist using works insurance. He put me on Elocon ointment & massively upped the antihistamines. Also prescribing desloratadine. It finally after a month or so it subsided. I had a flare up around 5 years ago when I went to Los Vegas & stupidly changed shower gel. On coming back I had a mild viral 48 hours lurghy & it took 3 months to clear it. As part of this I was referred back to the dermatologist & he sent me for a prick test which was completely clear.
Things I have learnt over the years. Use a non-bio washing liquid/powder we use Fairy. DO NOT Change for any reason. Ditto for fabric conditioner.
Try a shower gel which doesn't flare it up. I am fine with Lynx Africa, Lynx dark chocolate was what flared me up in LV.
Take 2 anti-histamines every day, ceterizine or loratadine. Take them even if OK.
At the first hint of flare up then up the anti -histamines. You cannot over dose. I take 2 tablets 4-5 a day on bad days, spread over the day.
Use Elocon the active ingredient is mometasone but I have found generics are poor. Apply to urticaria areas & keep on for a day or so after it clears.
Be careful of some hotels the USA tend to boil their sheets in something evil. I frequently end up with issues. A bummer when you travel as much as I do.
Get referred to a dermatologist ASAP. Doctors know bugger all about skin complaints.
My first round was horrific, I worked in an office in a converted old house. After 2 1/2 weeks where the doctor was useless, just giving me calamine ointment, it had gone. The minute I went back to work it started again. After a post mortem on what was wrong I moved offices to our boardroom. Symptoms went again. Over one weekend we had the builders in to strip the ceiling which had a crack in it. Plasterboard & replaster & paint. Went back in & was fine. Discussing with doctors later horsehair plaster which is v common in old buildings is a common allergy trigger.
I then had various flare ups over the years & around 14 years ago it flared badly. I was referred to a consultant dermatologist using works insurance. He put me on Elocon ointment & massively upped the antihistamines. Also prescribing desloratadine. It finally after a month or so it subsided. I had a flare up around 5 years ago when I went to Los Vegas & stupidly changed shower gel. On coming back I had a mild viral 48 hours lurghy & it took 3 months to clear it. As part of this I was referred back to the dermatologist & he sent me for a prick test which was completely clear.
Things I have learnt over the years. Use a non-bio washing liquid/powder we use Fairy. DO NOT Change for any reason. Ditto for fabric conditioner.
Try a shower gel which doesn't flare it up. I am fine with Lynx Africa, Lynx dark chocolate was what flared me up in LV.
Take 2 anti-histamines every day, ceterizine or loratadine. Take them even if OK.
At the first hint of flare up then up the anti -histamines. You cannot over dose. I take 2 tablets 4-5 a day on bad days, spread over the day.
Use Elocon the active ingredient is mometasone but I have found generics are poor. Apply to urticaria areas & keep on for a day or so after it clears.
Be careful of some hotels the USA tend to boil their sheets in something evil. I frequently end up with issues. A bummer when you travel as much as I do.
Get referred to a dermatologist ASAP. Doctors know bugger all about skin complaints.
Thank you for taking time to reply. I've paid to see a private dermatologist. He gave me a talk about avoiding certain foods. Dried fruit to be avoided at all costs, which made sense as I had eaten Alpen the morning I went to a&e. He tested for allergies and only came back with pollen. Perhaps start of hay fever season has made me react like this although it's never happened before?!
Am I right in saying if it is something like washing powder causing the problem then changing my detergent it may not show instantly if this has worked? It can potentially take days or weeks to calm down? I've seen some supermarkets sell washing powder for sensitive skin. I will try this when I get home.
It's frustrating as my only trigger i can work out is going to bed. I can't avoid going to bed!
Am I right in saying if it is something like washing powder causing the problem then changing my detergent it may not show instantly if this has worked? It can potentially take days or weeks to calm down? I've seen some supermarkets sell washing powder for sensitive skin. I will try this when I get home.
It's frustrating as my only trigger i can work out is going to bed. I can't avoid going to bed!
I'm waiting for my annual bout to start soon. It usually starts around the end of April through May and June. I guess it is triggered by tree or grass pollen.
Every year I keep a log of the symptoms. Armpits, trunk, groin, thighs, ankles. I can only guess that it is Hives/Urticaria or maybe Tinea Cruris (fungal jock itch) gone bad. Probably a combination once it gets infected.
I've tried about a dozen ointments. One ointment will work for a few days and then become useless.
Daktacort
Betnovate-N
Piriton (allergy)
Dermovate
Fucibet
Betamethasone valerate/Clioquinol 1 mg/30 mg/g Ointment - makes clothes brown
Betamethasone valerate/Clioquinol 1 mg/30 mg/g Cream- cream is best
Terbinafine 1% Cream (Lamisil?)
Canesten Spray Clotrimazole - very painful
Canesten HC Cream Clotrimazole Hydrocortisone
I got some Diproderm 0.5mg/g crema Betamtasona (dipropionato) over the counter in Spain which worked like a dream last year and still got a bit left.
I really resent paying a full prescription charge for a tiny 15g ointment which only lasts a couple of days and doesn't work anyway.
GP is useless.
The real problem is that the rash becomes infected which is much worse than the allergy. I dry under my armpits and around my bits using the hairdryer. I use the Right Guard Sport deodorant with the green can as I think the orange can triggered it last year.
Best cure is a holiday especially Florida, probably due to the change in environment.
Every year I keep a log of the symptoms. Armpits, trunk, groin, thighs, ankles. I can only guess that it is Hives/Urticaria or maybe Tinea Cruris (fungal jock itch) gone bad. Probably a combination once it gets infected.
I've tried about a dozen ointments. One ointment will work for a few days and then become useless.
Daktacort
Betnovate-N
Piriton (allergy)
Dermovate
Fucibet
Betamethasone valerate/Clioquinol 1 mg/30 mg/g Ointment - makes clothes brown
Betamethasone valerate/Clioquinol 1 mg/30 mg/g Cream- cream is best
Terbinafine 1% Cream (Lamisil?)
Canesten Spray Clotrimazole - very painful
Canesten HC Cream Clotrimazole Hydrocortisone
I got some Diproderm 0.5mg/g crema Betamtasona (dipropionato) over the counter in Spain which worked like a dream last year and still got a bit left.
I really resent paying a full prescription charge for a tiny 15g ointment which only lasts a couple of days and doesn't work anyway.
GP is useless.
The real problem is that the rash becomes infected which is much worse than the allergy. I dry under my armpits and around my bits using the hairdryer. I use the Right Guard Sport deodorant with the green can as I think the orange can triggered it last year.
Best cure is a holiday especially Florida, probably due to the change in environment.
Florida you say? I can do that! I'm going to Greece for a week at the start of May. I hope things change.
Strange you mention the deodorant. It's only occurred to me I spend ages itching my under arms. I never linked it to this in the past but it's something to look out for.
Luckily I'm in Wales so my prescriptions are free. My GP is very good at trying other potions and tablets. They may not be clued up but they are keen to help unlike my old GP.
Strange you mention the deodorant. It's only occurred to me I spend ages itching my under arms. I never linked it to this in the past but it's something to look out for.
Luckily I'm in Wales so my prescriptions are free. My GP is very good at trying other potions and tablets. They may not be clued up but they are keen to help unlike my old GP.
Patch1875 said:
You have my sympathies, my wife suffered for nearly a year with it, unfortunately don't think her eventual fix will work for you....pregnancy it instantly disappeared!
Sure she got an injection of some sort a week or so before our wedding to keep it away for a few weeks.
You obviously have the magic touch. Worth a shot! Sure she got an injection of some sort a week or so before our wedding to keep it away for a few weeks.
Jamesgt said:
Thank you for taking time to reply. I've paid to see a private dermatologist. He gave me a talk about avoiding certain foods. Dried fruit to be avoided at all costs, which made sense as I had eaten Alpen the morning I went to a&e. He tested for allergies and only came back with pollen. Perhaps start of hay fever season has made me react like this although it's never happened before?!
Am I right in saying if it is something like washing powder causing the problem then changing my detergent it may not show instantly if this has worked? It can potentially take days or weeks to calm down? I've seen some supermarkets sell washing powder for sensitive skin. I will try this when I get home.
It's frustrating as my only trigger i can work out is going to bed. I can't avoid going to bed!
Washing powder I find is a pretty quick trigger. I have areas that are the "signal" to it kicking in, predominately my shins & the left one in particular, Am I right in saying if it is something like washing powder causing the problem then changing my detergent it may not show instantly if this has worked? It can potentially take days or weeks to calm down? I've seen some supermarkets sell washing powder for sensitive skin. I will try this when I get home.
It's frustrating as my only trigger i can work out is going to bed. I can't avoid going to bed!
One of the frustrations in acute Urticaria is it can last days, weeks, months or years. And sometimes there is never an obvious trigger.
Mine doesn't seem to be food orientated. Stress makes it worse as does flying. Also if you're immune system is a bit depressed then that'll bring it on, even such as a cold or sniffs.
I know at least one other person with it. His mother is a GP & he found red meat is a trigger.
I get hayfever but it has never obviously triggered the urticaria.
I have experienced Urticaria and done loads of research on triggers / treatments.
Mine started at the gym and was originally attributed to increased body heat (no idea why this would suddenly start as never had it before) Anyway I took antihistamines and they didn't work - when you do some serious research on the condition you find out that urticaria is actually a reaction for something going on inside you body; therefore skin creams are useless as they do not stop or prevent the condition (as are antihistamines)
Hives are raised mast cells under the skin the same cells which result in heat lumps. Mast cells are all over the skin hence why some bouts of the condition show as single dots and other areas may appear as rashes.
Mine were all dots and occurred more often if i was run down / dehydrated / tired - basically when the natural immune system is at a low point (OP mentioned bedtime for when their symptoms began which is when the immune system is low)
Mine also occurred in cold temperatures and with wind chill. I found that antihistamines didn't work and after research i tried a Chinese Doctor (acupuncture and acupressure) the TCM was quite effective when combined with their herbal remedy which was antioxidant tea! The Chinese Doctor was knowledgeable re the condition and it is termed "wind cold" - They advised that it is the body's immune system producing hives as a deterrent to an internal issue.
TCM tries to re balance the immune system so that you body no longer perceives something is trying to attack it.
Solutions;
Boost your immune system and flush your system out with water (to start with take on more than the recommended daily intake then cut it back) - you need to be totally hydrated
Ditch antihistamines as all they do is mask the issue and do not cure it
Alcohol often aggravates urticaria and it dehydrates so cut it out for a while
Binge on antioxidant foods to aid the improvement of you immune system (i found blueberries are good for this along with green teas)
See a Chinese doctor (even if you are unsure i found them to have more time and knowledge with this condition than any dermatologist or G.P.
My symptoms lasted a period of 3 years whilst i tried all of the above - that was 4 years ago and i haven't had an attack since....
Mine started at the gym and was originally attributed to increased body heat (no idea why this would suddenly start as never had it before) Anyway I took antihistamines and they didn't work - when you do some serious research on the condition you find out that urticaria is actually a reaction for something going on inside you body; therefore skin creams are useless as they do not stop or prevent the condition (as are antihistamines)
Hives are raised mast cells under the skin the same cells which result in heat lumps. Mast cells are all over the skin hence why some bouts of the condition show as single dots and other areas may appear as rashes.
Mine were all dots and occurred more often if i was run down / dehydrated / tired - basically when the natural immune system is at a low point (OP mentioned bedtime for when their symptoms began which is when the immune system is low)
Mine also occurred in cold temperatures and with wind chill. I found that antihistamines didn't work and after research i tried a Chinese Doctor (acupuncture and acupressure) the TCM was quite effective when combined with their herbal remedy which was antioxidant tea! The Chinese Doctor was knowledgeable re the condition and it is termed "wind cold" - They advised that it is the body's immune system producing hives as a deterrent to an internal issue.
TCM tries to re balance the immune system so that you body no longer perceives something is trying to attack it.
Solutions;
Boost your immune system and flush your system out with water (to start with take on more than the recommended daily intake then cut it back) - you need to be totally hydrated
Ditch antihistamines as all they do is mask the issue and do not cure it
Alcohol often aggravates urticaria and it dehydrates so cut it out for a while
Binge on antioxidant foods to aid the improvement of you immune system (i found blueberries are good for this along with green teas)
See a Chinese doctor (even if you are unsure i found them to have more time and knowledge with this condition than any dermatologist or G.P.
My symptoms lasted a period of 3 years whilst i tried all of the above - that was 4 years ago and i haven't had an attack since....
ST270 said:
I have experienced Urticaria and done loads of research on triggers / treatments.
Mine started at the gym and was originally attributed to increased body heat (no idea why this would suddenly start as never had it before) Anyway I took antihistamines and they didn't work - when you do some serious research on the condition you find out that urticaria is actually a reaction for something going on inside you body; therefore skin creams are useless as they do not stop or prevent the condition (as are antihistamines)
Hives are raised mast cells under the skin the same cells which result in heat lumps. Mast cells are all over the skin hence why some bouts of the condition show as single dots and other areas may appear as rashes.
Mine were all dots and occurred more often if i was run down / dehydrated / tired - basically when the natural immune system is at a low point (OP mentioned bedtime for when their symptoms began which is when the immune system is low)
Mine also occurred in cold temperatures and with wind chill. I found that antihistamines didn't work and after research i tried a Chinese Doctor (acupuncture and acupressure) the TCM was quite effective when combined with their herbal remedy which was antioxidant tea! The Chinese Doctor was knowledgeable re the condition and it is termed "wind cold" - They advised that it is the body's immune system producing hives as a deterrent to an internal issue.
TCM tries to re balance the immune system so that you body no longer perceives something is trying to attack it.
Solutions;
Boost your immune system and flush your system out with water (to start with take on more than the recommended daily intake then cut it back) - you need to be totally hydrated
Ditch antihistamines as all they do is mask the issue and do not cure it
Alcohol often aggravates urticaria and it dehydrates so cut it out for a while
Binge on antioxidant foods to aid the improvement of you immune system (i found blueberries are good for this along with green teas)
See a Chinese doctor (even if you are unsure i found them to have more time and knowledge with this condition than any dermatologist or G.P.
My symptoms lasted a period of 3 years whilst i tried all of the above - that was 4 years ago and i haven't had an attack since....
Thank you for taking the time to write that post. I'm currently on steroids to treat the hives. I had a bad attack a few weeks ago but steroids seem to work well. My course comes to an end in about 10 days so we'll see what happens there. Mine started at the gym and was originally attributed to increased body heat (no idea why this would suddenly start as never had it before) Anyway I took antihistamines and they didn't work - when you do some serious research on the condition you find out that urticaria is actually a reaction for something going on inside you body; therefore skin creams are useless as they do not stop or prevent the condition (as are antihistamines)
Hives are raised mast cells under the skin the same cells which result in heat lumps. Mast cells are all over the skin hence why some bouts of the condition show as single dots and other areas may appear as rashes.
Mine were all dots and occurred more often if i was run down / dehydrated / tired - basically when the natural immune system is at a low point (OP mentioned bedtime for when their symptoms began which is when the immune system is low)
Mine also occurred in cold temperatures and with wind chill. I found that antihistamines didn't work and after research i tried a Chinese Doctor (acupuncture and acupressure) the TCM was quite effective when combined with their herbal remedy which was antioxidant tea! The Chinese Doctor was knowledgeable re the condition and it is termed "wind cold" - They advised that it is the body's immune system producing hives as a deterrent to an internal issue.
TCM tries to re balance the immune system so that you body no longer perceives something is trying to attack it.
Solutions;
Boost your immune system and flush your system out with water (to start with take on more than the recommended daily intake then cut it back) - you need to be totally hydrated
Ditch antihistamines as all they do is mask the issue and do not cure it
Alcohol often aggravates urticaria and it dehydrates so cut it out for a while
Binge on antioxidant foods to aid the improvement of you immune system (i found blueberries are good for this along with green teas)
See a Chinese doctor (even if you are unsure i found them to have more time and knowledge with this condition than any dermatologist or G.P.
My symptoms lasted a period of 3 years whilst i tried all of the above - that was 4 years ago and i haven't had an attack since....
As you said, I found water to be a good help. I had lots of bottles of water and drunk a lot over a few days and felt better. Also the attack of hives I've had have all been when I've been run down with just a cold. All other times just seems to be low level. Tiredness could be a huge factor as I work nights and get very little sleep in the day. Usually 3-4 hours. Sometimes I work around the clock. 20:00 until the afternoon the next day with a lot of travelling.
When I come off the medication I will see what happens. I will certainly try some of the anti-oxidants food and keep my water intake up.
I am glad I found this thread as I was about to start my own.
Back in July I came back from France and all of a sudden I started to itch violently at night after a day or 2 it went away for a week. All of a sudden at night I was on fire no noticeable rashes or anything just raise little bits of skin like a heat rash. I didn't think anything of it and carried on taking antihistamines but upped the dose (loratadine) seemed to help I thought! I thought long and hard about what I had changed but in 3 years nothing, washing powder, liquid, shower gels, shampoo zippo!
I ended up not sleeping for 3 days due to constant itching and when I went for a shower I had to have it cold and it felt like I was on fire or in a bath of nettles. Usually I spend hours in the shower and have it dam hot. Gone are them days but unable to do anything about the itching or pain I was in, I was like a zombie.
I gave up with trying to get into my doctors and went to the out of hours who said cant do anything up my antihistamines and get e45 and keep it in the fridge. It calmed a little but not much so a week later I went back to out of hours as the cream was a waste of time. I was given fexofenidine take 1 a day and that's it.
I am still bad, actually stopped doing activities with friends etc going in the shower etc for fear of the itching, heat or being hot can set it off and with going away in September I did consider cancelling it I am that worried but now I have to see my doctor which i have been waiting 3 weeks to talk to. Once I get some more information or a avenue to go down I can go to bupa who I have medical care with via work to see what can be done.
I don't have any visible rashes or anything its just mad itching. Thinking about this I did have it in Australia last xmas hence I started to take antihistamines.
I personally cant see anything that's changed within the last 3 years, had a fair bit of stress with my dads death, mum having cancer and a relationship break down but I feel happy in myself so cant figure it out.
Some times I am fine and reading this comment -
"Boost your immune system and flush your system out with water (to start with take on more than the recommended daily intake then cut it back) - you need to be totally hydrated"
Seems to make sense as when I am run down, not drunk much and thinks its more active.
I will try some of the advise from you guys thanks.
Back in July I came back from France and all of a sudden I started to itch violently at night after a day or 2 it went away for a week. All of a sudden at night I was on fire no noticeable rashes or anything just raise little bits of skin like a heat rash. I didn't think anything of it and carried on taking antihistamines but upped the dose (loratadine) seemed to help I thought! I thought long and hard about what I had changed but in 3 years nothing, washing powder, liquid, shower gels, shampoo zippo!
I ended up not sleeping for 3 days due to constant itching and when I went for a shower I had to have it cold and it felt like I was on fire or in a bath of nettles. Usually I spend hours in the shower and have it dam hot. Gone are them days but unable to do anything about the itching or pain I was in, I was like a zombie.
I gave up with trying to get into my doctors and went to the out of hours who said cant do anything up my antihistamines and get e45 and keep it in the fridge. It calmed a little but not much so a week later I went back to out of hours as the cream was a waste of time. I was given fexofenidine take 1 a day and that's it.
I am still bad, actually stopped doing activities with friends etc going in the shower etc for fear of the itching, heat or being hot can set it off and with going away in September I did consider cancelling it I am that worried but now I have to see my doctor which i have been waiting 3 weeks to talk to. Once I get some more information or a avenue to go down I can go to bupa who I have medical care with via work to see what can be done.
I don't have any visible rashes or anything its just mad itching. Thinking about this I did have it in Australia last xmas hence I started to take antihistamines.
I personally cant see anything that's changed within the last 3 years, had a fair bit of stress with my dads death, mum having cancer and a relationship break down but I feel happy in myself so cant figure it out.
Some times I am fine and reading this comment -
"Boost your immune system and flush your system out with water (to start with take on more than the recommended daily intake then cut it back) - you need to be totally hydrated"
Seems to make sense as when I am run down, not drunk much and thinks its more active.
I will try some of the advise from you guys thanks.
Quick reply as I know how desperate the situation can be.
I tried many many different things. Diets that were meant to make it better actually brought me out in the worst rashes. In the end I stuck with a fairly long course of steroids. 1 months at 5 tablets a day. Next month at 4 and so on. I've not long finished the course and during that time I had almost zero hives. I've not taken a tablet for a a few weeks and had no reactions.
See if your doctor will give you steroids if you want to try that. Best of luck.
I tried many many different things. Diets that were meant to make it better actually brought me out in the worst rashes. In the end I stuck with a fairly long course of steroids. 1 months at 5 tablets a day. Next month at 4 and so on. I've not long finished the course and during that time I had almost zero hives. I've not taken a tablet for a a few weeks and had no reactions.
See if your doctor will give you steroids if you want to try that. Best of luck.
Jamesgt said:
Quick reply as I know how desperate the situation can be.
I tried many many different things. Diets that were meant to make it better actually brought me out in the worst rashes. In the end I stuck with a fairly long course of steroids. 1 months at 5 tablets a day. Next month at 4 and so on. I've not long finished the course and during that time I had almost zero hives. I've not taken a tablet for a a few weeks and had no reactions.
See if your doctor will give you steroids if you want to try that. Best of luck.
Thanks for the quick reply I have a telephone consultation Monday with my doctor to see if he will see me hopefully the notes from my other appointments will help and I can get some sort of steroids. Till then water and lots ofI tried many many different things. Diets that were meant to make it better actually brought me out in the worst rashes. In the end I stuck with a fairly long course of steroids. 1 months at 5 tablets a day. Next month at 4 and so on. I've not long finished the course and during that time I had almost zero hives. I've not taken a tablet for a a few weeks and had no reactions.
See if your doctor will give you steroids if you want to try that. Best of luck.
Just to add a little note - just because you haven't changed anything doesn't mean nothing has changed. Products will change ingredients without a "new and improved" sticker or
have merely change their supplier (which may mean foodstuffs that are now "contaminated" with allergens where previously they were not - and by allergen as someone with an allergy to sweetcorn I mean anything) .
I have suffered with hives (from sweetcorn and coca-cola funnily enough) and over the last two springs seem to breakout into hives that cause an intense burning sensation - you all have my sympathy.
have merely change their supplier (which may mean foodstuffs that are now "contaminated" with allergens where previously they were not - and by allergen as someone with an allergy to sweetcorn I mean anything) .
I have suffered with hives (from sweetcorn and coca-cola funnily enough) and over the last two springs seem to breakout into hives that cause an intense burning sensation - you all have my sympathy.
I had really bad eczema as a kid and have allergies to a fair few things, proper allergies where I come up in hives and then the swollen lips, throat etc. As a little kid if even so much as touched an egg I would come up in hives, milk would make me itch with massive red skin for days.
Around a four years ago I started getting small patches of what I though was eczema, so I occasionally used to dab a bit of hydrocortisone cream on if it got really bad. This usually came on with too much dairy and an extremely poor diet.
This time it got steadily worse, I started cutting things out: milk, alcohol, sugar, wheat, caffeine. You name it. I went to a vegan + chicken diet. But nothing. I was on 4 Claritin and 4 loratidine a day, covering myself in cream (moisturisers and antihistermine) and nothing, I was swollen up and waking up middle of the night basically clawing at myself.
Went to the doctors who first declared my eczema had come back and then said that I had a case of eczema and urticaria combined. I was very low at this time and work was really hard as I was either drowsy or itching like hell. I was washing in all sorts with the water on burning hot, just to alleviate the pain and itching.
When visiting my god kids, their dad asked if I had changed anything? I said no, I had even cut things out. The only thing I had done was start seeing a girl. Then he asked what washing powder she used and whether she washed my clothes. I had no idea. Thing is, I had begun staying over a few more days a week and as a result she had been washing more of my clothes. We had to re-wash everything as even stuff that had touched her clothes set me off. I realised that I have used Persil for my entire life, even my housemate at the time did. My GF used Ariel. Such a simple thing.
The doctor gave me some Eumovate cream to alleviate the symptoms which did, until I stopped. The withdrawl from the steroid creams was far worse than the allergy and that has taken me over 3 years to get over. But that's another story.
So do look for all sorts of things that may have changed.
Around a four years ago I started getting small patches of what I though was eczema, so I occasionally used to dab a bit of hydrocortisone cream on if it got really bad. This usually came on with too much dairy and an extremely poor diet.
This time it got steadily worse, I started cutting things out: milk, alcohol, sugar, wheat, caffeine. You name it. I went to a vegan + chicken diet. But nothing. I was on 4 Claritin and 4 loratidine a day, covering myself in cream (moisturisers and antihistermine) and nothing, I was swollen up and waking up middle of the night basically clawing at myself.
Went to the doctors who first declared my eczema had come back and then said that I had a case of eczema and urticaria combined. I was very low at this time and work was really hard as I was either drowsy or itching like hell. I was washing in all sorts with the water on burning hot, just to alleviate the pain and itching.
When visiting my god kids, their dad asked if I had changed anything? I said no, I had even cut things out. The only thing I had done was start seeing a girl. Then he asked what washing powder she used and whether she washed my clothes. I had no idea. Thing is, I had begun staying over a few more days a week and as a result she had been washing more of my clothes. We had to re-wash everything as even stuff that had touched her clothes set me off. I realised that I have used Persil for my entire life, even my housemate at the time did. My GF used Ariel. Such a simple thing.
The doctor gave me some Eumovate cream to alleviate the symptoms which did, until I stopped. The withdrawl from the steroid creams was far worse than the allergy and that has taken me over 3 years to get over. But that's another story.
So do look for all sorts of things that may have changed.
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