Acute urticaria...anyone else out there suffer from this?
596673
Wow, I thought I was just a freak!\nI have been hospitalized twice in the last two years because of it. It first showed up on my face until the swelling and itching got so bad across my eyes that I couldn't open my eyes and my entire head changed shape! I went to allergists and doctors and nothing would work.\nThe second one was much worse. I ended up in the ER and ICU for a whole week because it was in my digestive and respiratory systems. Nobody could figure it out and it scared me to death. I carry an epi-pen with me now but I am not convinced that it will actually do anything if I should begin to have another outbreak. \n\nI attribute it to my stress levels. So my answer is if traditional medicine can't help me then I will turn to alternative medicine. I do a lot of yoga and meditation. I work very hard to stay connected spiritually and I always use my vacation days. Traditional medicine kept me alive when I couldn't eat and breath but it had no preventative measures so I use my own. \nI hope this helps, good luck!
456577
Sometimes I get the same feeling.I don't think you are allergic to anything.Have you eaten something today you don't usually eat?If you have I would try not eating it any more but if you haven't then try drinking lots of water.I think I know what you have.I think it may be dehydration.Ive had it really bad before and almost died but it doesn't sound like yours is that bad.So just drink plenty of water okay?Take care of yourself!!!
89592
Hives, rash, itching, etc.
34998
This is a possible sign of high blood sugar levels. Dry, itchy skin is often an indicator of such a reaction taking place. You may not feel bad or have any other symptoms of high blood sugar, but this could be a warning to you. Test your blood sugar regularly and keep an eye out for this sign. \nIf the problem doesn't clear up and your blood sugar levels are normal / acceptable, consult with your doctor about it. He / she may be able to treat this annoying condition or recommend you to a dermatologist. \n\nGood luck and best wishes...
986687
i did have the same rash when i was pregnant about 17 yrs ago - came also a few weeks before delivery, however mine was on my stomach & my ankles - it was so itchy, especially at nite.  my dcotors told me to hang in there that it would disappear almost immediately upon delivery of my baby, which it did.  they also reassured me that it was not harmful to the baby or me - just another annoying side affect of being pregnant!
846493
I sympathise as I have the same problem.\n\nMost of mine seems to be brought on by stress, though some foods do trigger it.\n\nI've done a test http://www.yorktest.com/ that told me I was intolerant to lactose/dairy, gluten and eggs. However I find that a combination of brown bread and natural yoghurt will settle me down - so it's best to go on what YOU find out rather than what people say.\n\nSpice will always set me off, but I love spice, so I do have it every so often, but I try and plan it, so that I take the tablets prescribed beforehand so that I'm less likely to be severely affected.\n\nI have got a LOT better since I started meditating - it gives me a little time to de-stress. It's fun to do it with a group - I did it for a time with a local buddhist-run group - but it's nice on your own too. Try http://www.wildmind.org for to get you started - the Mindfulness of Breathing and the Metta Bhavana meditations are both really nice. Burning some Nag Champa Agarbatti incense helps too, plus smells lovely.\n\nBasically experiment with removing foods from your diet for a short time, and also see if you can notice any pattern e.g. is it worse when you eat a particular food.\n\nIf you notice a food or foods that help relieve it a little, keep a stock. Even if it makes you feel a little better it's good.\n\nIf you can't control it by diet alone, see if your doctor can help you with tablets. You may be able to get over the counter Immodium to work, but it didn't with me so I ended up getting Lomotil prescribed by the doctor. But I only use that when I really have to, so as not to build up a tolerance to it.\n\nI'm a lot better now than I was, but it does come and go - sometimes I can be fine for wekks, then have a bit of an attack for a few weeks, but it's getting better.\n\nGood luck!
350298
yes!!! right now at this very second I have really bad cramps. It's horrible. Guys are lucky. The cramps are the only part that hurts. theyre horrible!!!!!!!!!! grr this sucks. i need some tylenol lol.\n\nyah my emotions are all screwed up right now too. lol.
1176571
** Aquagenic urticaria -- hives that are triggered by contact with sweat or with water. In these people, exercise itself is not a trigger, and they can drink water without a problem. ** \n** This is from Dr. Greene's site... \n\n\nHives Caused by Ingestion or Inhalation\n\nApproximately 70% of the time, what causes a case of hives cannot be determined. This list covers many of the common causes of hives, but is not exhaustive. These are things that you may want to consider cutting out if you have hives.\n\nIngestion or Inhalation\nWhen the source of hives can be determined, most cases are caused by ingestion of a substance. Drugs can suddenly cause hives even if the person has been taking them for years. Many foods or food additives can also cause hives suddenly, even in small amounts. I am including inhaled allergens under ingestion because these are foreign substances that are taken into the body.\n\nDrugs\n\n    * Penicillin\n    * Aspirin\n    * Sulfa antibiotics\n    * Morphine\n    * Codeine\n    * Polymyxin\n    * Dextran\n    * Curare\n    * Quinine\n    * Diuretics \n\nFoods\n\n    * Fish\n    * Shellfish\n    * Nuts\n    * Eggs\n    * Chocolate\n    * Strawberries\n    * Tomatoes\n    * Pork\n    * Cow's milk\n    * Cheese\n    * Wheat\n    * Yeast\n    * Citrus fruits \n\nFood Additives\n\n    * Salicylates\n    * Tartrazine (a dye)\n    * Benzoate\n    * Penicillin\n    * Sulfites \n\nInhaled Allergens\n\n    * Pollen\n    * Mold Spores\n    * Animal dander\n    * House dust \n\nGood Luck, Hives are a hassle, they few times I had them I took a bath with the Oatmeal Aveeno Bath.\n\n********************************************************************\n\nHow to Treat Hives Naturally\n\n\n\nHives are red blotchy swellings on the skin, which are usually the result of an allergic reaction. They are often very itchy and can be painful or cause a burning sensation.\n \nSteps:\n1.  Put cool, wet compresses on red areas to soothe itching.\n \n2.  Take a bath in oatmeal if hives cover a large area.\n \n3.  Add cornstarch to your regular bath.\n \n4.  Apply aloe vera gel to soothe skin and reduce discomfort.\n \n5.  Take acidophilus to help reduce an allergic reaction.\n \n6.  Take quercetin to help relieve inflammation and allergic reactions.\n \n7.  Supplement with 1,000mg vitamin C a day to help your immune system respond to allergens.\n \n8.  Use the herbs alfalfa, yellow dock, echinacea, ginseng, licorice and nettles.\n \n9.  Investigate the cause of the hives. Medications, insect bites or stings, certain foods and food additives, and certain plants are common culprits.\n \n10.  Avoid the substance that caused your hives.\n \n11.  Use an antihistamine for temporary relief of symptoms, particularly if hives are very severe or if overall allergic reaction is severe.\n \n \nWarnings:\nHives can be part of a very serious, even life threatening, allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. If you have an outbreak of hives accompanied by difficulty breathing, nausea or vomiting, chest pain, coughing or swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, seek immediate emergency assistance.\n \nIf symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.\n \nTips from eHow Users:\nAveeno colloidal oatmeal bath by eHow Friend\nInstead of bathing in it, I mix it with a cup of water until it is a gooey, thick substance and put it on my hives. I find that this works much better than diluting it and bathing in it.\n \n  \nThanks. Your vote has been counted.Rate this tip:\n \n \n  \nView 7 More Tip(s) from Users Please Share Your Tips with Us\n\n\n\nMore Resources:\n\nContribute to eHow:\nWrite an eHow Article\nSuggest a Topic\nGive Us Feedback on This Article\n \n \nRelated eHows:\nMake Herbal Lotions\nMake Herbal Skin Cleansing Cream\nMake an Herbal Bath\nStock an Emergency Supply of Medicine and
561006
hmmm...get a doctor...are you allergic to any thing like bees?
34030
I am as well.  My reaction is from the fragrence and coloring in it.  That is usually what causes the reaction.
1120441
Hi. I suffer from it too - one day when l have the money l would like to get laser treatment.\n\nTry this link for info http://www.rosacea.co.uk/\n\nI was never given anything from the doctors, but there are lots of treatments out there nowadays. Good luck
1183406
That's not normal (unfortuantly), in addition to the possibility that you might have cellulitis (sub-dermal skin infection) you could be looking at a low grade allergic reaction, if which case you should definatly see your doc to make sure!!!  Bee (and related stinging insect) sting allergies can be potentially fatal and you should make sure you don't fall into the catagory of people who need to carry an epi pen.
499528
Hmmm...\n\nI still think they are hives.  A minor case may only stay around for a day or two.  Hard to tell, but if they really start bothering you, go to a free clinic, to be safe.\nYour health is more important than money.\n\n Another possibility is ringworm ( a fungus), but I think it stays for a while without medicine.\n\nHere is another idea.  Go to your nearest pharmacy the next time you break out.  Then ask the pharmacist what he thinks you can put on it.  He/she might recognize the rash and be able to help you...\n\nGood luck!  Let me know ok?
991726
First, since you have been suffering with urticaria (hives) for over 6 weeks, they are now considered chronic.. The good news is chronic urticaria is very rarely due to allergy, so it's not likely due to your dog. The bad news is they could continue for a long time.... 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 like you. \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\nYou say you are taking an antihistamine; when are you taking it? What type? How much? For people with chronic urticaria, some antihistamines, such as 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, Ketotifen) 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/urticaria/\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.
639871
Hello fellow sufferer. I've got a lifetime of experience with hives, as well as several years of helping others with chronic urticaria and related conditions. You're far from alone in this, there are thousands of us worldwide.\n\nUnfortunately, there is no cure for chronic hives, but there's plenty of things you can try to help relieve the misery:\n- Aveeno lotions and bath\n- Sarna Lotion\n- any lotion containing menthol\n- Benadryl cream\n- staying cool - very important, since heat is a known mast cell degranulator (when mast cells degranulate, they release histamine, which causes the hives and itching)\n- My favorite is a lotion made from cromolyn - recipe can be found at www.chronichives.com; also check out the support group for chronic hivers through that website, it's the largest one on the web (it's also the largest CU Yahoo group). There are more suggestions for coping at the website, and the group can give you many more ideas, too. \n\nOne thing which does help some people is a low-histamine diet, which is printed at the website. While allergies are very seldom the culprit behind CU, foods loaded in histamine don't help us much, so limiting them in your diet may help. There have been a few published studies about histamine in the diet and its effect on CU; typically some of the studies show it does help, and others say it doesn't. Everyone is different, but it can't hurt to try.\n\nApprox. 25% of CUers are or will become sensitive to salicylates (the active ingredient in aspirin), so for some of those people, a diet low in salicylates can help. Again, the chronichives.com website has that information.\n\nHave you ever been tested to find out if your hives are autoimmune? The test, called an autologous serum skin test, uses a sample of your own blood, which is then spun down in a centrifuge to separate the serum, and then the serum is injected back into you, along with 2 controls (saline and histamine). If you react to your own serum, the test is considered positive. Researchers are finding more and more chronic hivers are autoimmune, and it has also been found that remission can be induced for many hivers with the use of Cyclosporine. I was put on it for an unrelated condition, and it put both that condition and my hives into remission. Side effects were minimal, arms got a little hairy, but nothing too extreme... The usual treatment protocol with Cyclosporine for CU is relatively short and at lower doses than used to treat most other diseases, such as kidney disease or to prevent transplant rejection.\n\nAnd if you must scratch, don't use your nails! You'll only tear up your skin and make the itch even worse. Some folks find using the edge of a credit card works well, doesn't tear the skin, and provides a little temporary relief. But if you can avoid scratching altogether, that's the best thing.....
650906
Hi, I'll bet the ER is right.  This sounds exactly like something that happened to my uncle.  They thought maybe the laundry detergent was culprit, only he hadn't changed detergents.  Come to find out he had a new pair of sheets and pillowcase.  So...have you tried new sheets lately? It could be that they are not 100% cotton and that could do it.  In his case the "sizing" they add to new sheets--even the cotton ones--was causing his rash and discomfort.  In this case, wash new sheets and pillowcases a few times before using them and that should help, and stick to the 100% cotton kind.  Also, if you suspect the laundry detergent, go back to another one that didn't bother you or even try Cheer.  It's the only one our family with allergies can use.  Good luck to you.  Oh, and the sluggish feeling you're having--that could be caused by the antihistamines the ER gave you.  Also allergies can make you feel that way too.  I hope this helps! :)
1093130
I know how you're feeling - three a levels left!  All I can say is wash everything - bedlinen, clothes, hair - that's where pollen can always get stuck.  My anti-histamines aren't very effective, either.  I am living indoors the whole time at the moment!