5 replies to this topic

[dom]

Hi all,a bit off topic but for the last month my wife has been suffering from urticaria [hives] she got it a couple of years back out of the blue first time and suffered for a few weeks
at the time she went to the doc who gave her the normal anti-histamines and some steroids but the steroids only got rid of it for a few days

now she has had two courses of steroids but the doc says they're dangerous long term so she can't have them
she is suffering immensely with the itching etc it's all over her back/legs/neck/arms/face and even at times inside her throat making it difficult to swallow,we have been to A+e two weeks ago where she got the steroids and an adrenalin needle for severe attacks
i have been browsing hpmeopathic medicines on the web and have come up with a lot of 'cures' whether good or bad also i found out it is rarely diagnosed [chronic] she has'nt changed her dietary habits or washing powder or clothing type or anything else come to that it seems to come around this time of year when it cools down

she has an appointment with the dermatologist on 21st oct but the doc says it may be fruitless

it is'nt hereditary the first time she had it was when her family came to visit for a few weeks -stress?

anyone had any experience of this it's getting us both down,cheers for replies

[Trinity]

Although she hasn't changed her dietary habits or washing powder etc it doesn't mean that the ingredients of something she may have used regularly before haven't changed. It could be something like a different additive in her shower gel or something else along those lines. I doubt homeopathic remedies will have any effect as allergies like that are an over-active immune response. I suspect she will get full allergy testing but in the mean time it may be worth changing her washing powder etc and seeing if there is any improvement. It is important just to change one thing at a time so the culprit can be easily identified

[greybeard]

Hi Dom,
May not work, but my missus finds it helps with occasional itching/dry skin: Put a cup-full of rolled oats into a sock. Hang the sock under a bath tap while filling the bath with warm water - not too hot. Have a good soak, but use no soap. Pat dry.

Don't ask me why it works but I know it seems to be good for some skin complaints.

[Iain]

There are a variety of non-allergic causes for urticaria. Having said that many medications are "good" at causing or worsening it. The classic one being ACEI drugs used for heart failure or hypertension (their proper names end in -pril usually eg enalapril) but there are lots of others. Oddly, its not always new medications that can contribute, but ones you have been on for a while too

Some of the others are
* aspirin
* opiates
* non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
* morphine hydrochloride
* phenytoin
* carbimazole
* cephalosporins and cephamycins
* quinine
* pilocarpine
* sulphonamides


Iain

Edited by Iain, 03 October 2010 - 12:39 PM.

[dom]

Thanks for those replies fellas! i have now read them out to her and she'll give them a try,i'll keep you posted after 21st [dermatologist]

[tyvin]

You need to find out what kind of urticaria it is. One thing to know is if it's allergy or non-allergic. Non would include things like stress which can bring this on; hormones is another. Find out.