Hi - never posted on this board but thought I would tonight as I am itching like crazy.
I have a dreadful skin condition that is kept beautifully under control by taking 10mg Atarax every 3-4 days. I have had chronic urticaria for almost 10 years now and have taken antihistamines every week for that long.
If I don't take the drug my life is unbearable. As soon as I get a tingle anywhere on my body I take a pill. If I leave it, after a few hours, places I didn't even know I had start itching (inside ears, behind the eyes etc) I come up in raised white lumps, streaks and weals all over my body. The more I scratch, the more white lumps come up. After a few minutes of attack I look like something out of a horror movie.
I have lived with it for so long that I am used to it and more often than not I take the antihistamines before it becomes too much of a problem. I have had numerous appointments with skin specialists over the years and noone has a clue as to why this happens (one suggested autoimmune?). My sister has EXACTLY the same problem... chronic urticaria coupled with dermographism (sp?). The dermographism bit means that I can write my name on my skin by very gently scratching with one of my nails - after a few seconds of having scratched, up comes my name, bright red on my skin. It used to be my party trick - not so funny now after so many years.
Anyone know what I go through? Anyone know what causes it? I am fed up of taking anti-histamines. Atarax is only recommended for 3 months (admittedly I take a low dose) - but I can't function without it and have taken it for 10 years.
Maybe one of you ladies knows more about this? If only I knew what caused this?
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.
Allergies and intolerances
HELP!!! Chronic Urticaria - anyone suffer? anyone have a clue what causes it?
41 replies
EvanMom · 23/06/2004 00:06
OP posts:
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.