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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@sallyneary

I’m so sorry. Aging is hard enough without extra help from Covid.
I have incessant itching that may or may not be from having two rounds of Covid. I’ve read the the Novavax 2023/24 vaccine has eased some long Covid symptoms for some people. I’m getting the shot today and I’ll report whether I’m lucky.
As I said, it might not be from Covid—I could just be cursed.
I hope you find a new dermatologist. Perhaps on this site? I am on Twitter and the Covid cautious community on there is very supportive. You might find a sympathetic and knowledgeable doctor.

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Please let all of us know whether Novavax vaccine helped the itching. I have had terrible itching/rash since last April 2023 and unable to get in with either a derm or long covid clinic in seattle. Nobody else has a clue what the itchiy and rash is.

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@dmlindeman

Please let all of us know whether Novavax vaccine helped the itching. I have had terrible itching/rash since last April 2023 and unable to get in with either a derm or long covid clinic in seattle. Nobody else has a clue what the itchiy and rash is.

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The shot was 11/1. So far no improvement but I’m not sure whether it was supposed to be right away.
I read about a new possibility last night that I’ll try today. I’ll report results in a week or so.

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@sallyneary

The shot was 11/1. So far no improvement but I’m not sure whether it was supposed to be right away.
I read about a new possibility last night that I’ll try today. I’ll report results in a week or so.

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P.S. As soon as I sort out some insurance I will see my doc again (wasn’t eligible to stay on Medicaid). There are some serious illnesses that cause itching so if you can, see your primary care doc for tests to rule them out!

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@dmlindeman

Please let all of us know whether Novavax vaccine helped the itching. I have had terrible itching/rash since last April 2023 and unable to get in with either a derm or long covid clinic in seattle. Nobody else has a clue what the itchiy and rash is.

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The itch is caused by histamines (Google mcas) so a low-histamine diet can help, but also the H1,H2 protocol (Zyrtec & Pepcid).
I thought getting the last booster shot (c. 6/23) would help my other symptoms but instead I had an allergic reaction (Pfizer) that activated the mast cells & dumped a ton of histamines into my system. Benadryl (capsules) can bring some relief but can't be taken daily, and it also makes most people drowsy.
To control the itching I use Benadryl Gel. The hydrocortisone creams work, too, but can be used for only a limited time. It takes about an hour for the bedtime Zyrtec to kick in so I also use the gel before I go to bed.

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You may want to check with your doctor as to whether quercetin (which, as a layperson I understand, works on mast cells to lower histamine production) could help. My doctor recommended 250 mg daily and it has helped.

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Same here. I've had a itchy rash on one of my shins for about 7 month now. Nothing seems to help. It's really red and hot to the touch. I've tried Hydrocortisone as well as homeopathic alternatives. Nothing has helped so far.

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@nomeite

Same here. I've had a itchy rash on one of my shins for about 7 month now. Nothing seems to help. It's really red and hot to the touch. I've tried Hydrocortisone as well as homeopathic alternatives. Nothing has helped so far.

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Have you seen your doctor about it?

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@sallyneary

Have you seen your doctor about it?

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yes. The doctor prescribed me some hydrocortisone ointment.

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Sounds like it didn’t help. Was the ointment a gel or cream? I tried the cream once for eczema and had to switch to gel because the gel protected the area. It still took ages to go away!

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Got Covid in April of this year, took Paxlovid, then got Covid rebound. Crazy itching for 6 months now, and it has morphed into an intense itch that when scratched, produces a serious burning sensation.
I've tried it all - allergy testing, skin biopsy, Zyrtec, Benadryl, cortisone creams, CeraVe SA cream, Amlactin cream, histamine testing, candida testing, liver/kidney blood panels, MCAS diet, low histamine and fodmap diets, extra vitamin A, stopping all supplements, bromelain and curcumin, extra quercetin, ice packs, no clothes, cold showers, gloves to stop the scratching, and anything else I could think of or have read about. Many things I've forgotten to write here....
The one new thing I just read about today was Ultraviolet phototherapy. I'm wondering why the dermatologist didn't mention it when I had the skin biopsy done.
Has anyone tried the UV phototherapy?
77 years old and desperate. Thanks.

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