What could be causing chronic hives?
Hi! My friend is 24 year 24-year-old female who has been suffering from hives since the end of March/beginning of April. She initially thought they could be due to stress or an allergy, but they have progressively gotten worse since. A previous doctor had prescribed her steroids, and that helped, but they always came back, and now are worse than ever. She went to a new doctor who believes she just has chronic hives and will have to get a shot every month for them, but I am wondering if there is any underlying disease/allergy that could be causing them?! She had a comprehensive metabolic panel done, and everything was in the reference range. Her celiac disease diagnostic blood panel was in range as well, though I know it typically cannot be confirmed without endoscopy. Her tissue transglutaminase, gliadin, thyroid, and CBC were all in range as well. Ever since she developed these hives, she has also woken up occasionally with her face/lips/eyes swollen.
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I think allergies can get worse unless the exposure to the allergen is reduced / eliminated.
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Yesterday I sat down with my doctor. I was told to stop one of my meds. This drug can cause hives I was told. Check all side effects of any medication she is taking and vitamin. Talk with your local pharmacist they have a lot of information that could help. If you’re having trouble getting the information, call the manufacturers 800 number. Most of them will be very happy to help you.
Thank back to when the hives Started. Then go back two weeks from then. Any new medications any new soaps any new bedding sheets, mattress pad, PJs. Check to see the ingredients in the products, cotton, synthetics, and so on. Also look at dyes Are they plant base or are they aluminum dye base.
Also, if she has an allergy to eggs or milk, you will have to find out if these products are in any medication. I just found out that a product can have a list of an ingredients and still have eggs and milk in. When they make the pill, they will add other ingredients like milk lactose that will not be on the label. I wish I had found this out 25 years ago. It was saved me a lot of money.
Good luck
It may end up cause unknown but before going chronic steroids suggest
seeing an allergist first. There are also newer biologics and immune blockers
however very expensive.