Has anyone experienced itchy skin when you stop taking Zyrtec?
371204
Sounds like its just your allergies going into overdrive. Once the antihistamine effects have worn off, then the allergens cause stimulation and release histamine. The histamine makes things itchy. Its likely because when you were on the Zyrtec, you had no symptoms at all, but now that you have stopped you are all of a sudden aware. After awhile though, you may become used to it and no longer feel it as much.\n\nThe other possibility is that Zyrtec and antihistamines in general cause dryness - or drymouth due to its anticholinergic effects. If you skin is dry, it can feel itchy. However, it should be when you are on the medication and not off it.
817792
SOUNDS LIKE AN ALERGIC REACTION TO SOMETHING IN THE LOTION.  IF YOU USE IT AND HAVE PROBLEM'S TRY TAKING A BENADRYL PILL. IF THAT STOP'S IT THEN YOU KNOW YOUR ALERGIC TO IT.
770598
I have Systemic Mastocytosis and have just been started on the Chemotherapy agent, Gleevec.  The Zyrtec, Ranitidine, and Singulair I have taken only help by decreasing the frequency and duration of my attacks.  The Gleevec actually helps kill off the excess mast cells so that the attacks stop.  I am hoping for positive results and wish you well in dealing with your symptoms!!
19211
Is your deoderant too strong?  Too high % of Aluminum compounds (the antipersperant) can cause dryness, itching and flaking.
1103082
You have hives.\n\nFirst, since you have been suffering with urticaria (hives) for over 6 weeks, they are now considered chronic.. One reason the hives are occurring at night is because that is when our cortisol levels are at their lowest, and most chronic hivers find they are worst at night, and some even hive only at night. \n\nAnother problem which causes hiving to worsen at night is that people often have their bodies too warm, and heat is a known mast cell degranulator - mast cells are a special type of immune system cell which contain a bunch of different chemicals, including histamine, which is what causes hives and itching. When mast cells degranulate, they release those chemicals, and being too hot will cause that to happen. Try to sleep in a cool room with minimal covers, that may help.\n\nThird, since you are getting the hives mainly on your chest and back, it is possible the hives are pressure-related. Just the act of lying in bed all night can bring on pressure hives. \n\nHave you tried taking an antihistamine?  For people with chronic urticaria, some antihistamines, such as Ketotifen or Zyrtec, seem to work better than others. And many of us are prescribed off-label dosing, higher than what is used for simple allergies. Plus adding an H2 antihistamine such as Zantac, Tagamet or Pepcid may give you better control of the hives. Some hivers also need a leukotriene blocker (Singulair, Accolate, Zyflo). Others find that adding a mast cell stabilizer (cromolyn, or Ketotifen, which is also an antihistamine) is very helpful. Approx. half of all chronic urticaria sufferers are autoimmune, and for them a course of Cyclosporine can force a remission.\n\nThere is a recipe at the www.chronichives.com website for a lotion you can make using cromolyn which soothes the itchies and calms the rash. And for even more suggestions and information about chronic hives, check out the urticaria support group at yahoo groups - http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/urt...\n\nYour best bet is to see an allergist/immunologist; they have the most experience in dealing with chronic urticaria. They (usually) know what tests to run, what to rule out, and which meds to use based on what type of chronic urticaria you have.
1023068
It might be a mild allergy to the sun or just an anxiety reaction.  Whenever I feel my temper flare or feel anxiety or stress come on really quickly I get itchy...but no rash.
1018528
Having had scabies myself not long ago I can confidently say that I never felt the mites at all. As you say, its probably your imagination - especially as the medication wears off.\nI found that if I kept my skin as cool as possible, especially in bed, the itching was not too severe. This strategy worked well and included having warm showers rather than hot and sleeping with the lightest possible bedding to remain as cool as possible.\nFor reliable medical information look here:
730150
An allergic reaction can take a week or more to work its way out of your system. I have experience with this -- I was exposed to a chemical that I'm allergic to  and had to keep taking Benadryl for more than a week. Every time I forgot a dosage, I'd break out in hives again, until the 8 or so days had passed.\n\nHave you tried using an antihistamine in addition to the steriod? Did the doctor you saw recommend an antihistamine? If not, it might be worthwhile to check and see if you can add an antihistamine at night.\n\nI'd also do some detective work in your home to see if you are reacting to something that you are in contact with at night, since you are only getting worse at night. Dustmites are a common allergy, and it could be that while your body is dealing with this other reaction, you are more "reactive" in general and some other allergen is affecting you. Just an idea, because my son (who has seasonal allergies) had the experience of suddenly reacting to cats -- but only in the summertime, when the pollen count is high.
461658
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....
446872
Ouch. Have you been taking any vitamins containing Vit.K.\nIt happened to me and my sis told me about it.  My head also itches since I am allergic to some shampoos and when I do not use that shampoo, there is no itching.
1058630
You don't indicate how long you've been getting hives, so there are several possibilities here. First, hives lasting less than 6 weeks are considered acute, and are usually due to allergies. If you have been having hive outbreaks for more than 6 weeks, then it is considered chronic, and there are several possible reasons; allergy is rarely the cause of chronic hives, though.  I really need more information to pinpoint what is going on, but I'll give it my best shot with the limited information I have.... Sorry, but this is going to be long....\n\nSome eliminations: The baby powder is probably the least likely suspect of all.  Allergies to pollens/trees/grasses usually present as hay fever, not hives.\n\nNow some possibilities based on what you've mentioned:\n\n1) Either solar urticaria or cholinergic urticaria. True solar urticaria is very rare, so not as likely as cholinergic, which is hives induced by heat. Since you are using baby powder to help with chafing, that tells me heat may be a problem where you are. If you are a young male (approx. age 15-29), that would also fit, since cholinergic urticaria most often strikes that age group, and is more common in males. If the hives go away soon after coming in out of the heat, that is also an indication. If you also experience itching and/or hiving during a hot shower, when you are embarrassed or angry, or during any other form of passive warming (eg getting into a hot car), those are all sure signs of cholinergic urticaria. Cholinergic usually presents as small wheals (hives) with intense itching. A third possibility along these lines is polymorphic light eruption, which is an itchy, bumpy rash caused by exposure to sun.  The rash usually persists for several days following sun exposure.\n\n2) Alcohol, especially wine and beer, contains chemicals (histidine) which the body converts into histamine, which causes hives. Alcohol also causes mast cell degranulation - mast cells are a special type of immune system cell which produce several chemicals. When they degranulate, they release those chemicals into your body; one of those chemicals is histamine. \n\n3) Seafood, especially shellfish, naturally contains histamine. Have you ever heard of scombroid poisoning? It's the common name for seafood poisoning, and another name for it is histamine poisoning. So if you are eating a lot of seafood, this could easily be the culprit. Also, the less fresh the seafood, the higher the histamine content will be.\n\n4) Allergies can occur at any time, and most people who first experience an allergy to something are often surprised, since it is to something they have 'always' used/consumed, and they 'never had problems with it before.' Well guess what, you have to have previous exposure to something to become allergic to it. So it only makes sense that if an allergy develops, it will be to something you already use. Since the pattern has been to begin hiving during times when you are drinking, my best guess is alcohol is the problem here. You are either having an outright allergic reaction to whatever you are drinking, or as mentioned above the levels of histamine in what you are drinking is getting to you. There is research to suggest that some people have too-low levels of something called diamine oxidase, which is produced by your body to help rid itself of histamine. Without sufficient diamine oxidase, you may experience effects from histamine (hives, possibly other symptoms as well). \n\nI suggest you try not drinking alcohol for a while, to see if your hives clear up. Or you can try changing what you are drinking, if you insist  on continuing to drink - instead of beer, try a vodka, or instead of wine try a liqueur. It also woudn't hurt to cut the seafood at the same time, you may be overwhelming your system with high levels of histamine from what you are consuming. If the problem continues, try a total elimination diet, or consult with an allergist fo
405657
I stopped taking it after being on it for about 2 years... I didnt cut my dosage just went off it completely. I had no side effects!
927765
Yes, itching is a side effect. Kinda cute, people think you have some sort of tick.
868789
Taking birth control and then getting off birth control does effect the chemical balance in your body.  Stress will also cause your skin to break out.  Also as you get older you skin does change. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and eating healthy.  To much junk food will also break your skin out. You also need to make sure you have a proper skin cleaning system.  With the breaks out you have been having I would suggest  Artistry® Clarifying System;  Revitalize your skin every day with a 100% oil-free cleanser, toner, and moisturizer clinically proven to control oil and help prevent breakouts.  Also for your break outs use Artistry® Blemish Control Acne Treatment; Controls, treats and heals blemishes. You can find these products at:  mthompson4.qbeautyzone.com\n180 day money back guarantee
476
I take Zyrtec for my allergies and it's the best ... in my opinion. Before trying just go to your physician and ask him/her if it is ok for you.\n\n"It is the #1 allergy medicine of its kind prescribed by allergists and pediatricians.\n\nJust 1 dose of ZYRTEC® (cetirizine HCl) a day can keep allergy symptoms under control, year-round. Symptoms from both indoor allergies, like pet dander and dust. And outdoor allergies, like trees and ragweed. Plus, ZYRTEC is approved to treat indoor allergies in infants 6 months and up."
588948
Yes to an extent. An antihistamine is appropriately used when the bodies response is greater than the need. So, for irritants like poison ivy, which isn't degraded by white blood cells, the swelling and the itching is more of a problem than white blood cell migration.\n\nThis is also true for many other irritants that cause a 'greater than the need' response to allergens of all sorts.\n\nIdeally, an antihistamine doesn't stop all response anyhow. Properly dosed, it just decreases the response to what is more useful and less harmful.
1087730
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.