Post covid itch and hives

Posted by tania7 @tania7, Apr 4, 2023

I’m 11 months post covid and have been experiencing red, itchy skin for a couple weeks now. When I itch my skin I get hives. Antihistamines seem to work but then it comes back after a few days. Hot water and heat seems to aggravate the situation. Anyone else experience this and find something that works?

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@lindadale

I too experienced this. It was very painful for months. I found relief after a suggestion from another long hauler to try Sarna, an external analgesic which was not available in Canada by that name but was available on Amazon. Instant relief. Long term results after a different post that there must be nervous system involvement for this and to ask your family doctor for a prescription for an antidepressant that calms the nervous system. A couple of weeks later and i am free of the symptoms.

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Do you mind saying which antidepressant?

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@anwicker

So my nursing instructor actually suggested the Zyrtec and Pepcid combo to me after I was experiencing an itching attack that lasted days. I could not sleep, I could not do anything but scratch and my skin was literally torn up. I had covid in 2021. After recovering I started itching on my feet and legs. Ever since it comes and goes, some days are better than others but even after taking the Zyrtec and Pepcid combo everyday I still itch. It’s mostly at night but some days it’s all throughout the day. I can not imagine living this way for the rest of my life. I’ve seen multiple doctors and dermatologists, no body knows what to tell me. I honestly feel like they just think I’m crazy. I’ve had a doctor prescribe me Vistaril but all it did was knock me out. Sometimes I’ll take a Benadryl at night just to sleep without laying awake itching for hours. If I don’t scratch it it turns to like a burning pain like someone is shocking my skin where it itches. I’m glad I found this thread and at least I don’t feel alone or crazy.

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I’m sad reading your post….I know how frustrating it is to find help as a long hauler…3 1/2 years later, I don’t stop Googling for latest research on Covid. I am convinced I have saved my own life. I take 42 supplements…that drs have rolled their eyes at but the research supports their use for long haul and many are for exercise stamina. I workout 7 days a week at home, eat totally healthy, and pray.
The Covid fatigue is almost as bad as the itching was. It’s what I call scary tired. I drink a V8 Energy Drink which tackles the fatigue quite miraculously.
It sure sounds like your cytokine storm never stopped! You really seem to need some Dr to order a cytokine panel. I can’t imagine going through that itching constantly! When I had the itching I had immediate relief. But I will never forget the intense, uncontrollable occurrence. I don’t know if there is a more powerful antihistamine available but, again, you must keep researching on the net…
I pray for your relief…

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@celia16

Do you mind saying which antidepressant?

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Started with 25 m amitriptyline but was pretty wonky on it so after a week I cut them in half, that works for me.

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@lindadale

Started with 25 m amitriptyline but was pretty wonky on it so after a week I cut them in half, that works for me.

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So, do you think it was the external cream, oral med or a combination of both?

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@celia16

So, do you think it was the external cream, oral med or a combination of both?

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I think the cream was calming but the meds were the solution.

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I get bumps under my skin and rashes. I do get to scratching and I get sores. My face gets red. I have ointments I have to be careful not to get overtired. I experience flare ups when fatigue comes on. I wish I could tell you something worked but rest seems the best for me

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I’ve been having this issue ever since I had Covid a few years ago. Doctors tell me to take Zyrtec and Flonase. It hasn’t helped (I mean Flonase gets rid of my stuffiness but does nothing for the itching) I suggested it maybe mcas but doc said he doesn’t think that’s what it is. When I had Covid I had a boil on my index finger never had a boil before then. And Covid also caused a spike in my heart rate and pneumonia. When I went to the ER the doc told me they were getting a lot of young people with high heart rates but couldn’t pin point the reason why. Anyway, every day is an itch I can’t eat food like I use to. Sometimes my throat gets tight, my eyes get itchy and I get hives and a rapid heart rate. I cut out soy, dairy, sesame, eggs, all the major food allergens and I already have celiac disease so I’m gluten free too. I noticed my heart rate doesn’t go up like it use to and I don’t feel flushed after I stopped eating those things. Allergist confirmed tree nut allergies so I do have an epi pen. The thing is, it’s not all the time I get hives. But every night I get this itch on my legs and back and there’s nothing there it’s like a tingly crawling feeling and I can’t sleep. I have to take multiple showers just to get thorough the night. It seems to subside during the day. I no longer have health insurance, so I’m at a lost. I’ve been popping Benadryl like candy where ever I get a tight itchy throat and it helps. But my skin has been so badly scratched it looks horrible from my head to my toes just terrible skin. People think it’s all in my head that I can eat these foods and that the itch is just anxiety but the way I felt when I ate dairy, soy etc. my face would feel like it was on fire and my heart would beat so fast. Haven’t had that happen in a year since I stopped eating those items. I’m glad I came across these forums, as I’m tired of people thinking I’m attention seeking. If I could eat like I did before Covid I would if I could stop itching I would. This isn’t fun.

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@sayitaintso

I’ve been having this issue ever since I had Covid a few years ago. Doctors tell me to take Zyrtec and Flonase. It hasn’t helped (I mean Flonase gets rid of my stuffiness but does nothing for the itching) I suggested it maybe mcas but doc said he doesn’t think that’s what it is. When I had Covid I had a boil on my index finger never had a boil before then. And Covid also caused a spike in my heart rate and pneumonia. When I went to the ER the doc told me they were getting a lot of young people with high heart rates but couldn’t pin point the reason why. Anyway, every day is an itch I can’t eat food like I use to. Sometimes my throat gets tight, my eyes get itchy and I get hives and a rapid heart rate. I cut out soy, dairy, sesame, eggs, all the major food allergens and I already have celiac disease so I’m gluten free too. I noticed my heart rate doesn’t go up like it use to and I don’t feel flushed after I stopped eating those things. Allergist confirmed tree nut allergies so I do have an epi pen. The thing is, it’s not all the time I get hives. But every night I get this itch on my legs and back and there’s nothing there it’s like a tingly crawling feeling and I can’t sleep. I have to take multiple showers just to get thorough the night. It seems to subside during the day. I no longer have health insurance, so I’m at a lost. I’ve been popping Benadryl like candy where ever I get a tight itchy throat and it helps. But my skin has been so badly scratched it looks horrible from my head to my toes just terrible skin. People think it’s all in my head that I can eat these foods and that the itch is just anxiety but the way I felt when I ate dairy, soy etc. my face would feel like it was on fire and my heart would beat so fast. Haven’t had that happen in a year since I stopped eating those items. I’m glad I came across these forums, as I’m tired of people thinking I’m attention seeking. If I could eat like I did before Covid I would if I could stop itching I would. This isn’t fun.

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I’m so sorry you’re suffering so much. I too have issues since I had Covid 2 years ago this month. I lost my taste and smell with it and still don’t have it back. I also don’t eat certain foods due to Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism. I have eliminated gluten, dairy and soy from my diet and do feel better and don’t get the hives any longer. I also have neuropathy in my legs from a back injury about 10 years ago. The tingling in my lower extremities gets bad sometimes and I use a product called Theraworx which relieves muscle cramps (which I also get on occasion) and spasms. I use it just before bed and it takes some of the neuropathy away. It’s that tingly, crawling feeling that you described, this may help. I believe I ordered it on Amazon and it’s not expensive. Work trying. Good luck!

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@sayitaintso

I’ve been having this issue ever since I had Covid a few years ago. Doctors tell me to take Zyrtec and Flonase. It hasn’t helped (I mean Flonase gets rid of my stuffiness but does nothing for the itching) I suggested it maybe mcas but doc said he doesn’t think that’s what it is. When I had Covid I had a boil on my index finger never had a boil before then. And Covid also caused a spike in my heart rate and pneumonia. When I went to the ER the doc told me they were getting a lot of young people with high heart rates but couldn’t pin point the reason why. Anyway, every day is an itch I can’t eat food like I use to. Sometimes my throat gets tight, my eyes get itchy and I get hives and a rapid heart rate. I cut out soy, dairy, sesame, eggs, all the major food allergens and I already have celiac disease so I’m gluten free too. I noticed my heart rate doesn’t go up like it use to and I don’t feel flushed after I stopped eating those things. Allergist confirmed tree nut allergies so I do have an epi pen. The thing is, it’s not all the time I get hives. But every night I get this itch on my legs and back and there’s nothing there it’s like a tingly crawling feeling and I can’t sleep. I have to take multiple showers just to get thorough the night. It seems to subside during the day. I no longer have health insurance, so I’m at a lost. I’ve been popping Benadryl like candy where ever I get a tight itchy throat and it helps. But my skin has been so badly scratched it looks horrible from my head to my toes just terrible skin. People think it’s all in my head that I can eat these foods and that the itch is just anxiety but the way I felt when I ate dairy, soy etc. my face would feel like it was on fire and my heart would beat so fast. Haven’t had that happen in a year since I stopped eating those items. I’m glad I came across these forums, as I’m tired of people thinking I’m attention seeking. If I could eat like I did before Covid I would if I could stop itching I would. This isn’t fun.

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I’ve had similar symptoms since covid. Diagnosed post covid syndrome. The good news is some symptoms improved greatly. Others…..not so much.

ENT just prescribed me a new nasal mist. I intend to try it. I couldn’t take Flonase due to blurred vision. Can’t tolerate Zyrtec due to dry eyes.

Seeing dermatologist again soon. My skin is extremely sensitive with intense itching that when I lightly scratch looks like a tiger attacked me. I think she just thinks it’s dermatitis of some sort…..idk. It’s crazy. Fine one minute and the next huge marks on skin that looks horrible for no real reason. The internal tremors did stop.

Hope you get better.

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