Chronic hives (uticaria)

Posted by willow5 @willow5, Feb 28 9:49am

I came down with chronic hives in 2018 at age 65. Take maximum Xolair injections monthly. Take 5 mg prednisone to help with itch, and sometimes it has to be daily, and daily Allegra. Has anyone found something that actually helps with the itch or control of the hives?

The prednisone, if I take daily, does keep the hives from getting out of control, and even though the dose is low I sure would like to not take it. Thank you

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Skin Health Support Group.

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Mar 2 8:04am

Welcome to Connect, @willow5. Chronic itching is so miserable! I experienced that issue for several months while undergoing treatments for an illness I had. It was almost unbearable and I swear, worse than pain! I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this condition of chronic hives. While you’re waiting for other members with urticaria to join the conversation with their suggestions for relief from itching, I did find quite a few discussions in the forum that might be helpful.

Chronic Hives: Any cure?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-hives-and-any-cure/
~~~
>Hypothyroidism and Hives
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hypothyroidism-hives/
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>Another similar discussion of hives with thyroid issues.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hashimoto/

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I also found a couple of articles that discuss Chronic Hives and the possible involvement of eosinophils. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that fight infections and allergic reactions.

https://www.healthline.com/health/eosinophil-count-absolute#What-is-an-eosinophil-count?

The role of eosinophils in chronic spontaneous urticaria
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32224275/#:~:text=Chronic%20spontaneous%20urticaria%20%28CSU%29%20is%20considered%20to%20be,eosinophil%20granules%2C%20indicative%20of%20activation%2C%20in%20CSU%20lesions.

Have you had blood work to test for thyroid issues, autoimmune diseases, or allergies?

seniormed | @seniormed | Mar 2 9:02am

Lab tests and diet trials are always a good idea. Usually dermatologists and allergists sometimes involved. Have you had bloodwork for allergies and autoimmune tests? Did you try special diets and have medications been
ruled out. Cause is found in a lesser percentage of patients.
Anti thyroid antibodies are part of the search. Do you have asthma or atopic
conditions that would qualify you for Dupixent?

willow5 | @willow5 | Mar 2 10:19am

In reply to @loribmt "Welcome to Connect, @willow5. Chronic itching is so miserable! I experienced that issue for several months..." + (show)

Thanks for all the links! I will check them out

My hypothyroidism definitely palys a part, though it has been controlled for 25 years. Looking forward to see if anyone has something specific to share on controlling the itch when I have outbreaks - though ice packs to help

willow5 | @willow5 | Mar 2 10:24am

In reply to @seniormed "Lab tests and diet trials are always a good idea. Usually dermatologists and allergists sometimes involved...." + (show)

Thank you for the info. Lab tests for?

I see my allergist every six months for the uticaria. The dermatologist is who took a biopsy and diagnosed the chronic uticaria.

Lab work now doesn’t work to test for allergies because of the Xolair injections and what it does to my immune system

I am really looking to see if anyone has found something that helps the itch, beyond prednisone, allegra and zyrtec and ice packs.

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