Am I alone? I am on round two of severe hives in 10-12 years and I'm frustrated!?

Question

I wake up every morning with sporatic hives. Usually a lip swollen, an ear, lumps on the back of my head. Some itch, some are very painful. I currently have a painful one on my left palm. Half of my tongue swells, usually left or right side, or the upper or lower side. I have gone through the usual barrage of allergy tests with little or no results. The first time this happened, about 10-12 yrs ago, it lasted an entire year. Ended as quickly and mysteriously as it started. This time, I'm on my second month and it seems to me this one is more severe. I take Benedryl Allergy when I simply can't stand it any more but don't receive much relief. I've scoured the internet for possible diseases related to hives but I have none of the other symptoms of that disease. The closest is monno, but even then I don't have all the symptoms. Can anyone help me?!

Answer 1

It sounds like you are describing idiopathic urticaria which is believed to be an unexplained autoimmune response. People with this condition sometimes respond to immunosuppressants, but only a small percentage. Finding a drug that works is trial and error. The most likely med to work is prednisone, but the side effects can be worse than the hives.

Answer 2

Sounds like 3 things are happening all at once: allergies, dust mites, fungal infection

(1) You have dust mites. Get rid of an burn all your bedding and sheets and replace them all with brand new ones. Keep replacing them for a month. Get a new mattress as well.
(2) If you have carpeting, rip it all out and replace it all with tile.
(3) Clean your ducts and vents in the house if you have a central AC/heating system
(4) Change the dry cleaners you use
(5) Change the detergent you use to (a) clean your clothes, (b) wash your dishes
(6) Bug-bomb your house and keep applying Raid Max around the edges of your rooms for a few weeks.

Answer 3

it could be genetic. Also it may have been inactive and then activated by some trigger. Try to think back and trace similarities between the two events to may be get some sort of idea about a possible trigger. For me, I had a pretty bad breakout about 2 years ago. Changing my detergent to nonfragrance and dermatologist-friendly detergent helped somewhat. Also moisturizing after every shower seems to help me as well. General hygiene also helps. It occasionally pops up in cold weather for me as well. Stress can also be a trigger.

Answer 4

I did get some hives sporadically last year. It took me awhile to figure out what triggered them. My conclusion was a certain allergic reaction to some sea foods I had had. My hives went away after about 5 days as soon as stop eating the same types of seafood.

Perhaps it would put your mind at peace once you get a chance to discuss this with your doctor. Good luck!

Answer 5

try an elimination diet. a lot of bad allergies (where your tongue swells etc) are a cuase of food/preservatives etc. you can look online for tips on an elimination diet. basically you eliminate the major allergy causers (or anythign you think may be causing a problem) and slowly reintrodue them one a time and note if you have a reaction. skin lumps are often eczema you can get a cream from your dr that will help with that

Answer 6

it might be your cleaning supplies such as your laundry detergent or your floor cleaner. im alergic to certain cleaners i cant even go down that isle at the grocery store, and sometimes i even get random hives. also your shampoo, soap,or ever your deoderant might be causing this. your lotion and sunscreen might too. i know that i cant use panamajack products. you might even be allergic to something that your eating

i hope you find out whats causing this soon

good luck

Answer 7

Try to find a good colon cleanse and avoid smoking and being around people who smoke.