Do you still have it, or has it gone away? If it went away, how long did you have it for? Were you given a prescription for anti-histamines hydroxyzine and allegra? Do you know if there are any harmful side-effects of longterm use of either medicine?\n\nI've had the condition for five years and have been on and off anti-histamines over time. I usually go between 4 and 6 months taking hydroxyzine and allegra daily. I wonder if it's bad to be taking the medicines for such a long amount of time? My dermatologist never said anything about it. Everytime I go back, I get diagnosed with the same thing and prescribed the same medicines.
208652
First, it most definitely is NOT a neurotic action, it is one of the physical urticarias (hives due to a physical cause). While it is a chronic condition, it can eventually go into remission. \n\nI developed and was diagnosed with dermographism approx. 20 years ago. I also have chronic urticaria (hives lasting longer than 6 weeks - mine have lasted most of my life), and dermographism is often seen with that. The worst of my dermographism settled down 6-8 years ago, but it has never completely gone away. If I am having a bad day with my other health problems, it tends to be more pronounced. But most days I just get a little red from rubbing/scratching, rather than great big welts. \n\nI was part of the largest online support group for hivers for many years, working with thousands of people who have chronic hives, including many with dermographism. I can tell you that many people do go into remission, I've seen it happen many times, and it doesn't have to take years and years. Some go into remission in a few months, some a few years, although some do suffer for several years.... Urticaria is a very individualized disease, and everyone is different. Unfortunately no one can tell you with any certainty when or if your dermographism will go away. But the odds are in your favor....\n\nI have been on most antihistamines that have been on the market, including Atarax (hydroxyzine) and Allegra. Atarax always works great for me, although leaves me sleepy. Allegra is garbage, does not work at all for me. (Same with Claritin.) I have been on antihistamines every day for 20 years, and often prescribed at doses much higher than used to treat allergies - that's normal protocol for treating chronic hives. I have not suffered any ill effects from being on them, other than dry mouth (Biotene makes a lot of great products to help counter that).\n\nOverall antihistamines are safe for the long term, according to all my doctors and the research I've done, since I too had the same concerns at first. My only concern would be taking any newer antihistamines, since there have been problems in the past with some that eventually had to be pulled from the US market - notably Seldane and Hismanil. I prefer to stick with the older antihistamines for that reason....
537630
I have a very light and mild version of this problem, I dont know why it happens, and yes it is only in the winter for me.  My doctor suggested something that seemed SUPER simple but works incredibly well!!!!!   Hydrocortizone.  yep just a little bit.  I am especially thankful for it on the little patches on your face that get really bad and flaky after you try to put base and powder on...Use the hydrocortizone and its like its not even there.
219039
I had to go to a dermatologist. I had it ever since I was a young teenager (was 30 years old when finally saw dermatologist) and he helped me with it. They can give you a prescription medication to help it. It eventually made mine go away.
616579
i had the same thig except not scalp an fingers an i drank different water/went to er doc gave me methylprednisoione,an benydryl, said it was food allergy or clothes, orsoap, but i was stessed out too,now i cant sleep cause im wired an drinkin onlt diet soda cause i didnt get the benydryl, try over the counter benydrl they gave me 2 25 mgs. plus a shot of steroidsan i slep no hives too.
199011
Like all the previous replies, know you are not alone. We all have this disease and that is why we are able to reply here and help you out.  It is extremely frustrating when others don't understand the disease, or find it surprising how we can get so tired so often; how we can be in pain so often.  Sometimes I truly believe others think we are making it up. I am on a sick leave from work due to a string of flares that would just not go away. I get foggy spells sometimes, I am usually tired most of the time, and my joints get very achy and I can be bed-ridden for the entire day. Then some days are flare/pain free and you wouldn't even know I had the disease.\nOn a side note, I also have been taking Plaquenil for the past year and a half and have always been worried in the back of my mind that I would be within that small percentage who suffer eye damage from it. If you are on Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine is another name for it)--make sure you see your Optometriest twice a year, rather than once a year.  \nLastly, to all the people who replied to this question and are suffering from ANY auto-immune disease, I wish you all the best of luck and hope that someday they will find a cure for us all.  Take care.
421783
It is quite safe in both children and adults to take full strength anti histamines and decongestants daily for an entire life time.  There is no difference between equivalent dosages of products by generic versus brand name or between different generics and brands.  Side effects and problems are known but rare although it is true that the dose may need to decreased for those aged 65 and older.  Please avoid the anti histamine diphenhydramine (Benadryl) which in my opinion should not be available.
602961
Sounds like an allergic reaction. Listen to the doctor...they'll probably go away after discontinuing the meds. It might go away right away, or it might take a couple of days. If they're not gone in 3 days (or if they get worse)... let the doctor know again.
365665
Surely a physician has been prescribing this medication?  I find it difficult to believe a physician is keeping you on this medication without wanting to monitor you on a periodic basis. Whether you are medicating yourself or not, get to a physician who will evaluate your need for this medication and perhaps formulate a plan to help you deal with these awful side effects.  Get yourself to the Doc. PRONTO!!  This is heavy duty!
327253
I have had psoriasis since I was eighteen, and tried and tested more or less every over-the-counter remedy - only to find it to be fool's gold - so to speak. Expensive and not ailing a bit. Due to the aggressiveness of my psoriasis, the standars therapy-regimes (PUVA, cortisone-, coal tar- and calcipotriole-treatments+++) in hospitals eventually proved themselves insufficient. After a serious outbreak last year, including face, soles of feet, and hands - which rendered me no longer just esthetically handicapped, but physically as well, I was prescribed Fumaric Acid by my dermatologist. Within a month, the itching had subsided; after two months no more plaques began forming, and the once present stopped flaking. Finally, after three months I was psoriasis free. I have been taking Fumaric Acid (approx. 360 mg per day - effective dosage differs from person to person though) for almost a year now, and I am very pleased with the results. The medication -according to my dermatologist and research-reports - do not cause any serious organ-damage, compared to many other systemic psoriasis-treatments. Yet, as it decreases the activity of the immune-system, I have to undertake blood-tests once a month to monitor the white blood-cell count. \nAlbeit it was a hassle to remember to follow the strict medication-regime (you start out with a very low daily dosage (20 mg a day), then increase the amount over time to a maximum of 720 mg a day, before reducing to the lowest effective dosage to uphold a psoriasis-free state), it was - at least in my case - worth it. After twelve years of looking like a scabby dog, always having to dress up to cover a psoriasis-full body, let alone the social alienation due to ignorance from others, I am now going for a holiday for the first time - in a bikini. \n\nGood luck, and may you find something that actually helps.
532919
Hi! I am really worried. I have the same thing. I have had it for a week now. It came out of nowhere and started with a throat infection. Then I got a red really itchy rash on my neck. I got some medication from my doctor and some cream to put on it. They do not seem to know exactly what it is though and now it is getting better where I put the cream but instead it's spreading beond where I add the cream, and has moved towards the back of my neck and down on my chest and to my ears. My brothers girlfriend got the same around the same time as me but hers disappeared after a couple of days. I also saw a lady in my elevator with a similar rash. Like I said it's got me really worried.. Has anyone else experienced this? Have you found out what it is yet?
427886
I had hives for over a year.  I would break out on my body, in my mouth, on my lips, and on my eyes!  They are miserable.  I had to find out what the cause was.  I became aware of certain foods I would eat that would make my mouth break out.  When it comes to my body I only use Dove soap and All Free and Clear laundry soap along with Downey Free liquid fabric softner.  I only use a colloidal oatmeal lotion such as Aveeno.  I also took 2,000mg of L-lysine daily which really kept the hives down to barely nothing.\n\nBut, you should not take L-lysine for more than 6 months at a time so I decided to do a colonix and detox.  I used Dr. Natura @ www.dr.natura.com.  I used this for 1 month and now I continue to take their detoxigreen supplement and their multivitamin daily.  Since I have began using their product I have had no reoccurence of hives which I find pretty amazing!  I refused to take steroids from the doctor becuase they don't work.  An antihistamine will help somewhat with the itching but they will make you very sleepy.  I am a busy person and I don't have time to fiddle around with all of that.  I just got to the point that I felt my body was trying to tell me something was not right and at my age I felt I have had alot of exposure and buildup of toxins in my system and it was time for a good cleaning. Check out the website and read about this product.  I don't sell it, I just thought I would let you know that it worked great and try to save you some time in trying to figure out what to do about hives.  I would go this route first.  Good Luck!
345117
Hi.  I know how bad this is so my thoughts go out to you.  I've had this condition many times and I've seen many doctors.  Almost all recommened to me, to sit in a shallow, hot tub of water and soak for a long time. Use water as hot as you can stand.  Use the creams or supps and you can ask the pharmacist for other options.
628300
I usually get it every year.  I'm trying to go without this year.  There hasn't been any noticable side affects.  It takes 24-48 hours to work.  It lasts the entire season.  There's a list of warnings inside the package.  Go to the chemist and ask to see the lable or you can possibly google it if you know the name of it.  The one I get is called Kenalog(check spelling).\nAlso, it isn't an antihistamine, it is a steroid.  I believe it acts to supress the immune system.
273641
Atarax (also known as vistaril) is great for things like hives.  It doesn't have as many side-effects as Benadryl and can be taken for a longer amount of time.  Seems to work faster too.\n\nMy brother and I both have severe allergies and keep it on hand as well as the emergency epi-sticks.  Sometimes when you have a severe rash and take Benadryl your blood pressure will bottom out (causing you to faint), but that's less likely with Atarax.\n\nGood luck!\n\n   \nGENERIC NAME: hydroxyzine \nBRAND NAMES: Atarax; Vistaril\nDRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine with anticholinergic (drying) and sedative properties that is used to treat allergic reactions. Histamine is released by the body during several types of allergic reactions and -- to a lesser extent -- during some viral infections, such as the common cold. When histamine binds to its receptors on cells, it causes changes within the cells that lead to sneezing, itching, and increased mucus production. Antihistamines compete with histamine for cell receptors; however, when they bind to the receptors they do not stimulate the cells. In addition, they prevent histamine from binding and stimulating the cells. After ingestion, the molecule of hydroxyzine is changed slightly, and this changed hydroxyzine that also binds to cells. (This changed hydroxyzine-called an active metabolite--is cetirizine (Zyrtec), which is now an FDA- approved drug.) Though both hydroxyzine and cetirizine act as antihistamines, hydroxyzine causes sedation as a side effect, and cetirizine does not. Hydroxyzine was originally approved by the FDA in 1957. \n\nGENERIC AVAILABLE: yes \n\nPRESCRIPTION: yes \n\nPREPARATIONS: Tablets: 10mg, 25mg, 50mg, 100mg. Capsules: 25mg, 50mg, 100mg. Syrup: 10mg per teaspoonful (5mL). Suspension: 25mg per teaspoonful (5mL). \n\nSTORAGE: Capsules, tablets, and liquids should be stored below 30°C (86°F). Liquid should not be frozen, and should be shaken well prior to each use. \n\nPRESCRIBED FOR: Hydroxyzine is used for the relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of various allergic conditions such as seasonal allergic rhinitis. Although antihistamines are the preferred class of drugs in allergic rhinitis, they only reduce symptoms by 40-60%. Hydroxyzine also is used as an aid for insomnia and to induce sedation prior to certain uncomfortable diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. \n\nDOSING: Hydroxyzine has its maximal effect about 30 to 60 minutes after it is taken. Its effects last for 4 to 6 hours. Therefore, it is often prescribed to be taken every 4 to 6 hours as needed for relief of allergy-related symptoms. When used to combat insomnia, it is prescribed to be taken 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime as needed. Patients over the age of 60 years are especially sensitive to the sedating effects of hydroxyzine, and the dose should be reduced. Hydroxyzine can be taken with or without food.
532350
My son suffered from a similar thing for several years. He was treated, as you were for fungal infections.\n\nIt wasn't until we moved areas and doctors that a doctor finally listened to me and treated him for exzema that it was cured.\n\nI didn't tell my son what the ointment the doctor gave him was usually used for - a 15 year old doesn't want to know he is using haemorrhoid ointment! It worked a charm.\n\nThe doctor explained that its perfect as it has strong cortisone and anti-inflammatory and also pain relieving drugs. \n\nI feel for you as I know how my son suffered with it.\n\nTalk to your doctor about this, as the ointment you need for this is prescription only. \n\nIt has to be worth a try.\n\nGood Luck!
169493
Get a 2nd opinion. Allegra D was the ONLY stuff that would help me. I have also been taking at least 1000 mg of B-12 to up my immune system and that has really helped.\nYour allergies are a natural reaction to a downed immune system. Allegra D can semi mask that but the side effects are a sore back and possible frequent trips to the bathroom\nYou sound like you are seasonal so at least a month before that season hits start taking AD again and you should be good to go. Allergies can be very very tough.
661718
i have had the steroid shot i don't know what exactly it was but it sounded like kellog it was something really similar.  i got relief in like 5 min it was great the rash stayed for a week but the itching was gone.  i was told it would last for 7-14 days i was also put one the steroid pills for 12 days and have been allergy free for over a month now.  i had and unknown allergy for 5 months before i went in about it.\nmy mom also gets the shots she went though years of getting them but no longer needs them.  they are really ruff on your body thought i looked up the side effects and they can be bad so you might want to compare the side effects of all the different ones and see what you think you can live with best before you go and ask for one.  everyone reacts differently so you really need to look up the side effects first