Has anyone experienced chronic hives? If so, how was it treated? I've been taking Zyrtec every day, which initially seemed to help, however, I now have an outbreak. Seem to come and go randomly. I was told chronic hives is related to autoimmune disease, with Sjogren's being one. Thanks....itching in NJ.
I had terrible skin allergies - I even had allergic response to water - I'd turn beet red after swimming, showering or even walking in the rain. And I drove the allergist crazy because I reacted hugely to water even with skin prick testing - water was supposed to be the control. As a child I had to wash with oatmeal instead of soap since it was less irritating.
I also had welts from anything that touched my skin - my clothes, leaning my hand against my face etc. It was so embarrassing as a child wearing a bathing suit to have a rash pattern from a beach towel or lawn chair or even the sidewalk where ever I sat- so I always wore long pants. And huge welts for months from bug bites and random stuff.
After more than 50 years of eating the standard American diet, and after reading The China Study by Dr. Colin Campbell, I switched my diet to Dr. John McDougall's. I was desperate for other health reasons to give this diet a chance - I wasn't doing it for my skin allergies. But one day my DH commented that I wasn't beet red after having a shower, and I noticed I wasn't getting welts where clothes touched my skin. In my case it clearly was the food. Other allergy related problems disappeared. No more asthma, no more environmental allergies - no more prescription allergy medications.
I still occasionally get a small welt from a bug bite or touching something irritating and they resolve quickly.
Have you been to a dermatologist? I would advise finding one for an assessment and to be able to have access to when skin issues come up Dermatologists are few and far between in mot areas.
I am on a newer antihistamine called Xyzal which is similar to benedryl but doesn't make you sleepy. It comes in generic now and it is also available over the counter now but it spendy. I really like it a lot. Irish
I had hives and endless itching when the SS first hit.
It took me a long time to recognize my triggers since they are many.
Mainly avoidance helps me and antihistamines don't seem to help much and dry me out a lot.
Turns out I have multiple chemical sensitivities and react to detergents, soaps, fragrances and more.
I wash my clothes and sheets with a special detergent and use soapless soap with zero fragrances now.
This has helped.
Sharon brings up an important issue - be kind to your body and use gentle products. Products with perfume/fragrances/scents - can all be irritating on the skin. Don't believe anything written on the front of a label - that's marketing, check the ingredients. There is no regulation over the word "hypoallergenic" so don't trust it, it's just a marketing term. Don't be fooled by "natural" - hemlock and poison ivy are natural. There is nothing natural when that organic coconut or whatever plant undergoes industrial processing to turn it into the chemical that is effective to wash your face or clothes etc.
I'm currently using all? free clear liquid laundry detergent, skin products from Paula's Choice and Pharmaceutical Specialties, Inc. - Specializing in Sensitive Skin Care Products Since 1974 and a few selected items from Aveeno and Target.
If the hives are all over your body, it might be your laundry detergent or shower/bath products. You may have to try different products to find what works best for you.
I was diagnosed with autoimmune uticaria by my allergist. He badically told me to see myself if 3 or four zyrtec a day would keep it under control and then tell him. I have not gone back since I keep it under control myself. The last time I had the whole body break out it took a medrol dose pack and hycosamine to get it under control. Next time I break out like that again I will go to the dermatologist and ask for a biopsy.
You need to be evaluated for Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Most allergists are too lazy to diagnose and treat it.
http://www.sneeze.com/allergy-resources/mast-cell-disease-101/
When to Suspect MCAD:
http://ohtwist.com/what-is-mcad/when-to-suspect-mcad
For MCAS patients, the H1 and H2 combo works the best. I take pepcid and Xyzal twice a day. You can get a prescription for generic Xyzal very cheaply.
I absolutely HATE Zyrtec.
Just to add to the other great suggestions:
If all else fails there is a biological med for chronic hives called XOLAIR.
It's supposed to be amazing.
Immunologists can prescribe it.